Tax tweak may tilt Infosys buyback in favour of retail, MFs

Tech major to repurchase 100 mn shares at %1,800 apiece, 18% above current price

- SAMIE MODAK

A recent change in tax rules for share buybacks could benefit small and institutional investors of Infosys. The Bengaluru-based information technology (IT) giant has announced a 18,000 crore share repurchase programme.

Market experts anticipate a buyback acceptance ratio exceeding 20 per cent, as higher tax liabilities may discourage wealthy shareholders from tendering their shares.

Infosys promoters, including Narayana Murthy and Chairman Nandan Nilekani, have already confirmed they will not participate in the buyback. Other wealthy shareholders may follow suit.

A 20 per cent acceptance ratio would mean those tending 100 shares in the buyback may see their 20 shares getting accepted under the buyback programme. With an eye to this arbitrage opportunity, several savvy investors were seen lapping up shares of Infosys, which drove its stock price 4 per cent higher to ₹1,529.