DLF promoters to sell 40% stake in rental arm

DLF promoters KP Singh family will sell their 40 per cent stake in the company's rental arm DLF Cyber City Developers for an estimated Rs 14,000 crore to institutional investors.

The promoters will re-invest a significant part of the amount realised from the sale in DLF Ltd. The decision was taken by the DLF's board of directors in its meeting held here today based on the recommendation by the audit committee, which was set up last year to suggest ways to drive the growth of rental business.

According to market sources, the valuation of promoters' 40 per stake in DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd (DCCDL) could be around Rs 12,000-14,000 crore. In late 2009, DLF had announced merger of its subsidiary DCCDL with promoters' firm Caraf Builders and Constructions.

DCCDL had then issued CCPS (compulsorily convertible preference shares) worth Rs 1,597 crore to promoters. Post— conversion, promoters would have 40 % stake in DCCDL, which holds bulk of the DLF’s commercial assets. "With this proposed transaction, DLF will be able to achieve three of its main objectives -- removal of conflict of interest, creation of a rental platform with large financial investors and reducing substantial portion of debt. It's killing three birds with one stone," DLF Senior Executive Director Finance Saurav Chawla told PTI.

DLF would be able to create REITs in the capital market in partnership with the long term financial investors, he added. The promoters stake in DLF, which stands at 75 per cent, could increase post this investment, sources said.