Why in news?
SEBI allowed its listed companies to use new methods of share sales through MPS rule.
What is MPS rule?
- The Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) rule requires all listed companies in India to ensure that at least 25% of their equity shares are held by non-promoters (public).
- This rule was implemented after the amendment of Securities Contracts Regulation Rules by SEBI in 2010.
- Under this rule promoters with a strangle-hold on listed companies were asked to compulsorily sell down their stake by placing shares with institutions or issuing rights or bonus shares.
What is the significance of the rule?
- India has 5000 listed companies but the market depth is very low.
- Thus stocks beyond the top 150/200 are less traded.
- Due to this, high promoter holdings prevail and the float available for trading by the public is very limited.
- SEBI is hoping to improve market depth and liquidity by unlocking this free float.
- Forcing promoter to relax their grip on listed companies can improve corporate governance by giving public shareholders and institutions greater say in corporate actions.
- There is very few investment opportunities in the stock market and so forcing promoters to sell shares would improve the supply of shares.
- MPS rule ensures better liquidity, price discovery and governance in the stock market.
What are the challenges with this rule?
- Initially PSUs were allowed a 10% MPS, but have recently been asked to comply with a 25% MPS by August 2018.
- Review by SEBI in June 2013 also found that over 105 private sector firms hadn’t fallen in line and it issued notices to them.
- Instead of addressing the compliance issues SEBI is keen to further expand the mandatory MPS to 30 per cent or even 35 per cent.
- SEBI also imposes penalties to the company which is non-complaint by freezing the promoter shares and barring promoters from any directorships.
- This threatens new players in the market.
Source: Business Line
