Debt-free Jio preparing to go public by 2024
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Debt-free Jio preparing to go public by 2024

Mukesh Ambani.jpg

A net debt-free Jio Platforms is looking to lift its fortunes further with a possible public listing by 2024.

Part of Reliance Industries, Jio Platforms has raised more than $23 billion in 58 days from investments and a stake sale to BP. The company said the deals, which also included India’s largest ever rights issue, were “unprecedented in Indian corporate history and have set new benchmarks”.

When the debt reduction strategy was announced at the 2019 AGM, the firm said both Jio and Reliance Retail would be listed within five years.

Chairman Shri Mukesh Ambani said: “We have a very clear roadmap to becoming a zero net debt company within the next 18 months that is by 31 March 2021.

Since fundraising started in March, Reliance Industries (NSE: RELIANCE) has seen share prices climb steadily to double over the 58-days, reaching an all-time high on 19 June.

“We have received strong interest from strategic and financial investors in our consumer businesses, Jio and Reliance Retail. We will induct leading global partners in these businesses in the next few quarters, and move towards listing of both these companies within the next five years. With these initiatives, I have no doubt that your company will have one of the strongest balance sheets in the world.”

 The deals concluded with confirmation last week that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) had become the 10th investor to back Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms, taking a 2.32% equity stake for US$1.5 billion. That announcement marked “the end of Jio Platforms’ current phase of induction of financial partners”.

 

Investor

Stake

US dollar value of investment at time of confirmation

Facebook

9.99%

$5.7 billion

Silver Lake

1.5%

$746.8 million

Vista

2.32%

$1.5 billion

General Atlantic

1.34%

$870 million

KKR (Asia division)

2.32%

$1.5 billion

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

1.16%

$750 million

Mubadala

1.85%

$1.2 billion

TPG

0.93%

$600 million

 L Catterton

0.39%

$250 million

PIF

2.32%

$1.5 billion

 

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