RBI allows up to 100% FII investment in Zee Entertainment

Foreign institutional investors can now invest up to 100% of the paid up capital in Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, an RBI notification said.

Earlier investment limit for FIIs in the company was 49%.

"Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) can now invest up to 100% (revised from earlier limit 49%) of the paid up capital of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited under the portfolio investment scheme," the notification said.

As on March 2014, promoter shareholding in the company was 43.07% while FIIs held 47.94% shares, as per BSE data.

RBI said that decision came after the company passed resolutions at its Board of Directors' level and shareholders agreeing for enhancing the limit for the purchase of its equity shares and convertible debentures by FIIs.

"The purchases could be made through primary market and through stock exchanges," it added.

FIIs, NRIs and PIOs (Persons of Indian Origins) can invest in primary and secondary capital markets in India through Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS).

The RBI monitors the ceilings on FII/NRI/PIO investments in Indian companies on a daily basis.

To effectively monitor the limit, RBI has fixed cut-off points two percentage points lower than the actual ceiling.

Zee Entertainment is India's largest vertically integrated media and entertainment company. Its portfolio consists of brands like Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Music, Zee Premiere, ETC, ETC Punjabi, TEN Sports, Zee Studio, Zee Classic and Zee Sports.

Shares of the firm today closed at Rs 265.40 apiece on BSE, down 0.45% from the previous close.