According to a report by Indian media outlet ET, British American Tobacco (BAT), the largest shareholder in Indian company ITC, currently holds a 29.02% stake but has recently expressed intentions to reduce its stake to around 25%.
Tadeu Marroco, CEO of BAT, emphasized during an interview that the stock adjustment action will face complicated challenges due to India's strict Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules on the tobacco industry.
Marlboro further elaborated on the two main complexities faced by the company in reducing its stakes in ITC. Firstly, the FDI rules mentioned above severely restrict foreign investment in the tobacco industry in India. Secondly, approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) adds further difficulty to the sale of shares. During the recent BAT's annual trading update conference call, Marlboro stated to analysts that maintaining strategic influence and veto power within ITC does not actually require holding more than 25% of the shares.
Maroko emphasizes the complexity involved in divesting investments in ITC, which includes obtaining special approval from the Reserve Bank of India, undoubtedly adding bureaucratic hurdles. ITC holds a significant position in the tobacco industry in India, accounting for three-quarters of the legal cigarette market share.
Apart from the tobacco industry, ITC has emerged as the largest company in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in India. Furthermore, it is the second-largest hotel chain in the country and the largest private agricultural business. Additionally, it holds a prominent position in the paper industry.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
