India Inc’s convertible worries

Indian companies have been the largest issuers of foreign currency convertible bonds in Asia. But there could be trouble ahead.

By Kautilya Shastri

In the first week of May, India Cements raised $75 million by issuing foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) that can be converted into equity at Rs305.57 per share, a premium of 30% over the closing price of Rs235.05 on the National Stock Exchange in Mumbai (NSE). The issue was oversubscribed within a few hours. A fortnight later, India Cements’ share price was down at Rs131, one of the many victims of the brutal sell-off in emerging-market equity in the middle of May.

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