New Delhi: L&T Finance is likely to buy a 50 per cent stake in the general insurance business of Future Generali from Pantaloon Retail.
Sources said the deal has been finalised and an official announcement to this is expected shortly.
Currently Future Group holds 74 per cent stake in the Future Generali India Insurance Company, while the remaining 26 per cent is with Italy-based Generali Group.
Out of Future Group’s 74 per cent stake, 50 per cent was with Pantaloon Retail and 24 per cent was with the promoter of the retail chain — Kishore Biyani family.
Sources said Pantaloon Retail would be exiting the venture by selling 50 per cent stake through direct and indirect transfer to L&T Finance, but could not immediately confirm the valuation.
Earlier this month, Pantaloon Retail had sold 22.5 per cent stake in Future Generali Life Insurance to investment company IITL for an estimated value of over Rs 300 crore. The deal valued the JV at over Rs 1,330 crore.
The move was aimed at helping Future Group to pare some its debt.
Post the transaction, L&T Finance would become the majority shareholder with 50 per cent stake in the general insurance venture.
Future Group, which runs stores under formats like Big Bazaar, Food Bazaar, e-zone is estimated to have a consolidated debt of Rs 6,000 crore.
Last year, the group had hived off its flagship Pantaloon into a separate entity to sell majority stake in it to Aditya Birla Nuvo, which agreed to infuse Rs 1,600 crore.
Similarly, it had sold 53.67 per cent stake in Future Capital Holdings to US-based private equity Warburg Pincus to raise an estimated Rs 560 crore.
