Kingfisher to stamp authority on Air Deccan

16 jul 2007

UB Group’s Kingfisher Airlines may increase its stake in Air Deccan to a holding 51% post open offer and make it a subsidiary of itself. Also, there is news that a new brand with ‘King’ as a prefix for Air Deccan may be introduced and the possible names include Kingstar or KingAir.

Wipro’s FMCG thrust, a long-term play

14 jul 2007

Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, the consumer care business of Wipro Ltd, recently acquired 100% stake in Singapore based Unza Holdings Ltd. for Rs.1010 crore. This is the largest acquisition in personal care segment by an Indian company and will double Wipro’s FMCG revenue and make it the third largest FMCG player in India after Nirma and Dabur. However analysts were skeptical about Wipro’s FMCG business, as it contributed just 5% of Wipro’s turnover and 3% of the group’s profits.

Genpact interested in Citigroup’s BPO

13 jul 2007

India’s top BPO company, Genpact (formerly GE Capital International Services) is expected to pick up 80% stake in Citibank’s BPO arm, Citigroup Global Services for around $750-800 million, valuing the BPO at a billion dollars.

Colgate-Palmolive to acquire Unilever, highly unlikely scenario

12 jul 2007

The international markets are abuzz over the reported rumours that New York based Colgate Palmolive may acquire the Anglo-Dutch FMCG giant Unilever. Other possible scenarios are merger of the two giants or Unilever taking over Colgate Palmolive. Unilever has a market capitalisation of $103 billion thrice the market cap of Colgate which is $34 billion.

Yash Birla to restructure group companies

09 jul 2007

To exploit the opportunities offered by economic growth, the Rs.2500 crore Yash Birla Group is restructuring its business spread across four core sectors – engineering, auto textile and power. The restructuring would involve the group’s six listed and 14 unlisted entities and will see five mergers, formation of six holding companies, acquisitions, investments of Rs.1,000 crore, sale of non-crore businesses and overseas listing of the restructured entity.

TCS in consolidation, expansion and takeover mode

30 jun 2007

Indian’s biggest IT company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in a bid to become among the top 10 global IT company by 2010 is sprucing up itself with a slew of decisions.

Tata Tea on a global visit, to bid for Cadbury Scheweppes beverage arm

29 jun 2007

Tata Tea’s appetite for global beverages companies doesn’t seem to dwindle. After buying Tetley, Good Earth, Eight O’ Clock Coffee, Himalayan Water and selling 30% stake in Glaceau for handsome profit, Tata is likely to bid for US drinks arm of UK-based Cadbury Schweppes.

Infosys in takeover bid for Capgemini, may end up with a BPO tieup

29 jun 2007

In a bid to exploit the high-margin consulting business and offset the reducing margins on commodity business due to rising rupee, India’s second largest IT services company, Infosys Technologies is believed to launch a takeover bid for Europe’s largest IT service group, Capgemini.

Citi top foreign bank, HDFC maintains HDFC Bank stake – Is consolidation on cards?

24 jun 2007

After 6 years, Citi has displaced Standard Chartered Bank to become India’s largest foreign bank. Citi’s assets are at Rs 66,358 crore while India’s second largest private bank, HDFC Bank’s assets are at Rs.91,235 crore as on March 31, 200.

Spinach retail buys out Sabka Bazaar

22 jun 2007

After Aditya Birla–Trinethra and Reliance–Adani Retail deal, more consolidation is happening among small and medium-sized retailers. Mumbai-based Wadhawan Retail, owners of stores under name ‘Spinach’ have taken over Delhi-based Sabka Bazaar and The Home Store for over Rs.100 crores.