Anamudi Real Estates LLP, the family office of Godrej Industries Group, has divested a 4.4% stake in Sobha Ltd, selling 47.37 lakh shares at an average price of INR 1,810.44 each, totaling INR 857.70 crore. This reduces Anamudi's stake in Sobha to 5.57% from 9.99%, reflecting a strategic monetization of their investment which has yielded a tenfold return over four years. Meanwhile, mutual funds including Mirae Asset, Invesco, and Aditya Birla Sun Life purchased 23.09 lakh shares for INR 418.06 crore, demonstrating continued confidence in Sobha's growth plans. Sobha Ltd aims to quadruple its annual sales bookings to INR 30,000 crore within 4.5 years, bolstered by a recent INR 2,000 crore rights issue. Despite a 3.77% drop in Sobha's share price to INR 1,792.35, market analysts remain focused on the company's expansion strategy and its potential impact on the Indian real estate market.
Anamudi Real Estates LLP, the family office of Godrej Industries Group, has sold a 4.4% stake in Sobha Ltd, a key player in the Indian real estate sector, for approximately INR 858 crore. This divestment involved offloading about 47.37 lakh shares at an average price of INR 1,810.44 each, resulting in a total transaction value of INR 857.70 crore.
Following this sale, Anamudi's stake in Sobha has been reduced to 5.57% from its previous 9.99%. The transaction reflects a strategic decision by Godrej Industries to monetise its investments, which sources indicate have yielded a tenfold return since the original investments were made, including dividends over a four-year holding period. This move highlights the ongoing trend of large entities adjusting their portfolios amid shifting market dynamics.
In contrast, several mutual funds, including Mirae Asset, Invesco, and Aditya Birla Sun Life, seized the opportunity to purchase a combined 23.09 lakh shares in Sobha during this transaction, spending around INR 418.06 crore. These acquisitions, made at prices between INR 1,809.82 and INR 1,810.05 per share, signal continued interest in Sobha, particularly as it embarks on a substantial growth plan.
Sobha Ltd has been actively expanding its operations and recently raised INR 2,000 crore through a rights issue to fuel its ambitions. The company aims to significantly bolster its presence in the luxury housing market, particularly in Mumbai, as articulated by founder PNC Menon. With a focus on aggressive expansion, Sobha aims to more than quadruple its annual sales bookings to INR 30,000 crore within the next 4.5 years. This strategic push indicates the company's confidence in the Indian real estate market, which has seen positive growth despite recent challenges.
Sobha has reported a robust sales performance, experiencing a 28% increase in sales bookings in the last financial year, rising from INR 5,197.8 crore to INR 6,644.1 crore. As one of the leading real estate developers in South India, Sobha's growth trajectory is noteworthy, especially amid a fluctuating economic landscape. The firm is also involved in projects in Dubai under the name Sobha Realty, showcasing its international ambitions.
As shares of Sobha Ltd fell by 3.77% to close at INR 1,792.35 on the Bombay Stock Exchange, market analysts are keenly observing these developments. This market reaction could reflect investor caution in light of recent stock movements and strategic decisions by major stakeholders like Godrej Industries.
The divestiture by Anamudi Real Estates and the acquisition by several mutual funds illustrate the fluid nature of the real estate market, where investment strategies are continually evolving. Stakeholders will likely continue to monitor Sobha's moves as it navigates its aggressive expansion plans, ensuring it remains a key player in one of the country's most dynamic industries.