After a brief lull, shareholders received open offers worth Rs 6,510 crore in February, the third highest level in the first 11 months of 2013-14.

The cumulative size of public offers in the April- February period of last financial year reached Rs 46,583 crore (69 open offers) - highest in five years. The next highest amount of open offers, worth Rs 19,305 crore, was logged in 2011-12.

As per market regulator SEBI’s latest monthly report, February saw the third highest value for open offers after Rs 29,242 crore recorded in June and Rs 7,003 crore in April, 2013-14.

Previously, companies had made offers worth only Rs 94 crore in January, Rs 128 crore in December and Rs 62 crore in November. The rest of the total amount - Rs 3,391 crore was raised between July and October.

Of the 7 open offers in February, 5 - worth Rs 6,509 crore - were made towards consolidation of holdings. Two offers valued at Rs 1 crore were made with the objective of change in control of management, while there was none towards substantial acquisition.

Open offers are made by company promoters and other entities for either consolidation of their holdings, as part of substantial acquisition, or change in control of management in publicly listed companies.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India rules require a mandatory open offer for minority shareholders in the event of any major change in the promoter holding of a listed company, including in the wake of any direct or indirect acquisition of 25 per cent.

Such open offers are required for acquisition of up to 26 per cent stake from public shareholders.

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