India Inc taps overseas funds for local M&As

Foreign banks and private credit funds are queuing up to fund acquisitions by Indian companies who are buying out their local rivals. The Adani group, Torrent Group, and the Hindujas have approached several foreign banks and private equity (PE) firms to fund their acquisitions.

- DEV CHATTERJEE

Global investors have about $2 trillion of funds to invest, and about $100 to $150 billion is set aside for India, according to an estimate by JP Morgan.

Corporate executives said Indian companies raising money overseas for acquisitions would be better off raising equity rather than raising debt.

"Even if they have to raise debt, a hybrid structure would be best with equity upside where interest can be around 6 to 8 per cent till conversion.