Big equity boost coming for retail investors, employees

FRACTIONAL SHARES TO HAVE LEGAL STATUS, ESOPs TO WIDEN

- MANU KAUSHIK

THE GOVERNMENT IS considering a host of steps to boost participation of retail investors in equity markets and enhance the use of employee stock options (ESOPs).

According to official sources, the Corporate Laws (Amendments) Bill, to be tabled in Parliament in the Winter Session, will seek to amend the Companies Act to give legal sanction to transfer, issuance and holding of “fractional shares.” Also on the cards is automatic recognition to non-monetary employee benefit schemes like restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock appreciation rights (SARs).