RComm scrip suffers as Ambanis feud

Shares of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications on Monday declined 1.52 per cent, while Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries rose nearly one per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange amid the ongoing tussle between the two brothers.

Reliance Communications declined over 2.32 per cent over its previous close and witnessed an intra-day low of Rs 531. At the end of Monday’s trading, RCom stood at Rs 535.10, down 1.52 per cent and over 11.17 lakh shares exchanged hands on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Reliance Industries said last week it had the right of first refusal to a controlling stake in Reliance Communications, owned by younger brother Anil Ambani.

Reliance Communications has been in talks with MTN since late-May about a deal that could create a top-10 global telecoms firm. As part of a tie-up, Anil Ambani would likely swap his control of Reliance Communications to become the largest shareholder in MTN.

The telecoms firm on Friday called Reliance Industries’ claim to first refusal “legally and factually untenable, baseless and misconceived.”

“The market hates uncertainty, and any such news would not help the stock,” said Jayesh Shroff, fund manager at SBI Mutual Fund.

“I see the stock subdued in the short-term at least,” said Harit Shah, telecoms analyst at Angel Broking. “Sentimentally, it is negative unless a clear settlement is arrived at." “

Reliance Communications said Reliance Industries claimed the right based on an agreement made when Reliance Communications was under Reliance Industries control.

A spokesman for Reliance Industries said on Friday the company had told both the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), of which Reliance Communications forms part, and MTN of the agreement in “good faith”, adding, ADAG had never previously questioned the validity of the agreement.

According to reports, Reliance Communications was ready to defend any legal action taken by Reliance Industries and would claim full costs and damages.

Reliance Industries sources said a January 2006 non-competition agreement was different to a family deal struck six months earlier that divided the Reliance empire between the brothers. “When litigation becomes a part of the story, the stock traditionally loses favour and flavour,” said Arun Kejriwal, strategist at KRIS, an investment advisory firm.