The share price of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) rose on both BSE and NSE on positive news of its disinvestment by the government.
On the BSE, the stock closed higher by 1.55 points, or 1.94 per cent, at Rs 81.40. It touched an intraday high of Rs 81.85. About 2,71,000 shares were traded. On the NSE, the share ended 3.50 points, or 1.88 per cent, at Rs 81.35. It touched an intraday high of Rs 82, and about 9,94,000 shares changed hands.
The widespread bearishness in PSU counters on Monday had hit the SCI scrip, too, which went down 5.6 per cent to close at Rs 79.8. This was due to the government's decision to postpone disinvestment in refinery companies, HPCL and BPCL.
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Today, however, there was good news for SCI as there were reports that both technical and price bids would be invited by the government in two weeks.
According to the market talks, the scrip could go for Rs 100 per share, which is a premium of nearly 23 per cent to the current market price.
The government holds more than 80 per cent in the shipping company, while the rest is held by the public. The government intends to divest up to 51 per cent in it.
Some of the companies in the private sector which have expressed interest in picking up the stake in the shipping major are: Great Eastern Shipping Company, Essar Shipping, Sterlite Industries, BPL, and Videocon.