Chief Economic Advisor K.V. Subramanian recently hinted that the government could mobilise ₹90,000 crore by selling 6-7 per cent stake in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). This was the first statement by a senior government functionary on the issue after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans for LIC’s initial public offering (IPO) in her FY21 Budget speech. “I have done some back-of-the-envelope calculations,” he said. This ₹90,000 crore for a 6-7 per cent stake puts LIC’s valuation at ₹12.85-15 lakh crore, making it India’s second most valued company after Reliance Industries (RIL), ahead of marquee names such as HDFC Bank, TCS, Infosys and HUL.
But it’s too early to celebrate. Valuing the 64-year-old company is perhaps the toughest of tasks because of its opaque style of operations. One reason is that it is governed by the LIC Act of 1956 with Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) having very little say in regulating its operations. Then there is the complex product portfolio skewed towards savings than protection (in contrast to other listed life insurers) and a sovereign guarantee backing every policy. There are also concerns about a unique profitsharing arrangement under which policyholders pocket 95 per cent surplus and shareholders (right now, government of India) get 5 per cent. “The entire structure of LIC has to be revisited to make it more investor friendly. If a major part of surpluses goes to policyholders, investors, especially institutional, will be wary of investing,” says Ajay Sharma, Managing Director, Valuation Services (India) at Colliers International. Last, but not the least, a large chunk of LIC’s equity investments comprise PSU shares it was forced to buy over the years to help the Centre meet its disinvestment targets.
Bu hikaye Business Today dergisinin December 13, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Business Today dergisinin December 13, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
"Moving to cloud helped us grow❞
What was the problem you were grappling with?
She's Got Time
MORE WOMEN ARE BECOMING WATCH CONNOISSEURS, SEEKING OUT BOTH JEWELLED AND TECHNICAL WATCHES FOR THEIR STYLE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
RISING STAR
PARUL GULATI IS a name that's been steadily gaining prominence in the Indian entertainment industry after she appeared on season 2 of Shark Tank in 2023. She has become a multifaceted personality who effortlessly transitions between acting and entrepreneurship.
Building on a Legacy
WHEN ZAHABIYA KHORAKIWALA stepped into her role as Managing Director of Wockhardt Hospitals over a decade ago, she confronted formidable challenges that have since turned into achievements.
LEADER IN INNOVATION
AS FEDEX'S PRESIDENT (Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa), Kami Viswanathan has a lot on her plate.
WAITING IN THE WINGS
Here are those who missed out as they have not yet completed a year in office; they'll be strong contenders in 2025
A DECENT PROPOSAL
IN TODAY'S WORLD OF TRYING TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE SPACE, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR HOUSEHOLDS. WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THEIR OWN SAVINGS POOL AND INVESTMENT ROUTINE. GIVEN THIS, HOW SHOULD FUTURE BRIDES APPROACH FINANCIAL PLANNING?
Women and the STEM Bias
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN STEM WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT INDIVIDUALS, BUT ALSO STRENGTHEN THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY, DRIVING INNOVATION AND PROGRESS.
ROCKET WOMEN
WOMEN IN INDIA ARE NOT ONLY VENTURING INTO SPACE BUT ARE ALSO STARTING TO SPEARHEAD THE COUNTRY'S EFFORTS IN THE GLOBAL SPACE RACE.
ONE STEP FORWARD
THE NUMBER OF WOMEN INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS IS GROWING STEADILY, BUT IT'S A LONG WAY FROM GENDER PARITY. MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING IN BOARDROOMS.
