Anil Ambani group firms' stocks drop on debt concerns

The share fell 7.7% on Wednesday, extending this week's fall to 15%

Shares of Anil Ambani group companies dropped between five and eight per cent on Wednesday. The sell-off was on concerns of whether the group would be able to repay the high debt to banks. The fear was triggered after Reliance Communications’ (RCom’s) overseas bond plunged 30 per cent after a cut in credit rating and reports of delay in interest payment.

According to Bloomberg, the company’s $300 million 6.5 per cent note, due 2020, has plunged 36 cents to a dollar so far this week. The share fell 7.7 per cent on Wednesday, extending this week’s fall to 15 per cent. According to data from Capitaline, total debt dues for the five listed companies stood at Rs 1.25 lakh crore at the end of FY17.

Last week, CARE Ratings had cut its rating on RCom’s long-term bank facilities and non-convertible debentures, citing increased competition, high debt levels and lower cash accruals. ICRA, too, cut its rating earlier this month, with a negative outlook, citing weakening prospects for revenue generation and profitability.

According to a report, RCom was late in servicing its loans and had engaged in talks with creditors on payment options. The company, in a clarification to stock exchanges, said it had made the interest payments on time.

“We wish to inform you that half-yearly interest payment on 6.5 per cent Senior Secured Notes (Bonds) issued by Reliance Communications, was paid on time and on the due date of May 8, 2017. There are no outstanding payments due on the said bonds. The company will continue to pay interest on the respective due dates and the bonds will be repaid on the due date i.e. November 6, 2020,” it said to the BSE.

Market players said investors had turned wary of leveraged companies.