HDFC to raise at least Rs 3000 cr via bonds; may invite bids next week

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's Housing Development Finance Corp (HDFC) will return to bond market after a gap of two months, three merchant bankers said on Friday.

The company plans to raise at least 30 billion rupees ($369.26 million) through bonds maturing in 10 years, they added. The housing financier is likely to invite the coupon bids from investors and bankers next week and is yet to make an official announcement of the issue on an electronic bidding platform. The issue will also have a greenshoe option to retain an additional 20 billion rupees. The bonds, rated AAA by CRISIL, will have a put option at the end of the third year, one of the bankers said. In November, HDFC raised 19 billion rupees through bonds maturing in 10 years at an annual coupon of 7.79%.

Company officials did not immediately respond to an email seeking confirmation of the development.

($1 = 81.2425 Indian rupees)

 

(Reporting by Bhakti Tambe; Editing by Rashmi Aich)