Singapore govt buys 1.09% stake into RIL

The government of Singapore has acquired 1.09% stake, now worth about Rs 2,500 crore, in Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries (RIL), the company's latest shareholding data shows.

The Singapore government held 3,57,72,679 shares of RIL as on December 31, 2011, accounting for a 1.09% stake in the company.

At the current price of Rs 713.40 a piece, these shares are worth about Rs 2,550 crore.

At the end of every quarter, listed companies have to disclose the list of shareholders having more than 1% stake.

While the exact time of share purchase by Singapore government could not be ascertained, its name did not figure in the list of shareholders with a minimum 1% stake in the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Another major non-promoter shareholder, state-run insurance giant Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) held 7.31% stake as on December 31, 2011, up from 7.18% at the end of previous quarter.

LIC's stake is currently worth over Rs 17,000 crore.

Besides, Franklin Templeton Investment Funds also holds a 1.08% stake in RIL, which has been increased marginally from 1.05% at the end of July-September 2011 quarter.

RIL has presence in businesses like energy, polyster and retail, while it is looking to foray into segments like telecom and financial services, among areas.

The promoters held a total of 44.71% stake in the company, while the stake held by FIIs (foreign institutional investors) dipped from 17.32% to 17.03% during the September-December 2011 quarter.

During the same quarter, the stake held by domestic institutional investors rose from 11.07% to 11.35%. The holding of insurance companies rose to 8.10% from 7.96%.

The holding of small individual investors (having shares worth up to Rs 1 lakh) fell from 11.51% to 11.38%, while that of larger individuals (with holding of shares worth over Rs one lakh) fell to 0.85% from 0.86%.