Fortis to raise Rs 1,470 cr via IPO of non-core ops

Fortis Healthcare (India) plans to raise $300 million ( Rs 1,472 crore) by spinning off its non-core business into a separate company, which will then be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, a report a business daily said.

Hospitals operator Fortis, controlled by billionare brothers Malvinder and Shivinder Singh, expects the restructuring to be completed by the middle of next month, the newspaper said on Friday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

The initial public offering is likely to hit the market in May or June this year, the report said.

The restructuring, aimed at unlocking value from non-core business that primarily includes diagnostics operations, would provide funds for the company to cut its debt and fund growth, the report added.

The company has a current debt of around Rs 4,000 crore, the report said.

Part of the IPO proceeds may be kept aside for funding future acquisitions, the report said citing one of the sources.

Reuters could not immediately reach the company for comment.