Orchid Chem gets a dose of subprime blow

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Markets Bureau: Mumbai, Chennai, Mar 18, Mar 19 2008, 23:25 IST

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The plan of the promoters of Orchid Chemicals to hike their stakes in the company has gone haywire with US financial crisis showing its tentacles in India too. US financial giant Bear Stearns’ fall has, perhaps, hit Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Bear Sterns’ decision to sell its stakes in Orchid Chemicals has foiled the attempts of the promoters to jack up their stakes in the company.

The stock price of Orchid Chemicals dropped 44% since Monday’s opening price following Bear Stearns’ decision to sell its stakes in the company. However, the stock price fall is not only due to the stake sale by Bear Stearns. Orchid Chemicals stock price dipped after the sell-off by Bear Stearns led to a margin call by two broking firms Indiabulls and Religare. The two broking firms had provided margin funding to help promoters to raise their stakes in the company in April to June.

A spokesperson of Orchid Chemicals, when contacted by FE said that the foreign investor had sold approximately one million shares, which went to the open market and were subsequently picked up by other FIIs. The subsequent selling pressure has led to the stock price crash.

“However, the company reaffirm its strong fundamentals and robust growth plans which are right on track. This in no way will have any material impact on the company’s fundamentals,” he added.

Orchid Chemicals promoters raised their holding in the company to 24% from 17% through an 80:20 margin funding provided by Indiabulls and Religare. It means that the

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