The proposed rupee-linked NCDs are likely to be subscribed primarily by top foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), three people aware of the matter said. Some local institutional investors may also participate, they added.
Last week, Singtel sold 1.76% in Airtel<\/a> through block deals for a little over Rs 7,100 crore. Bulk of that stake - around 1.62% - was acquired by BTL for Rs 6,604 crore, while the balance (0.14%) was acquired by public shareholders in Airtel. BTL is now raising fresh debt to part-finance the remaining 1.57% stake buy from Singtel, one of the people cited told ET.
Banks Involved <\/strong>
BNP Paribas<\/a>, HSBC<\/a>, Japan's MUFG and Standard Chartered<\/a> Bank among others are likely helping BTL to raise the money via rupee-linked NCDs.
\"Overseas lenders' foreign portfolio units are likely to subscribe to the NCDs,\" said an executive directly involved in the exercise. The NCDs are expected to be of shorter duration between one and three year maturities.
At press time, queries to BTL and Airtel did not elicit a response. Individual banks didn't comment either. Airtel shares closed 0.45% higher on the BSE Monday.