Be Wary of Companies with Majority Shareholders

Owning shares in a company with a majority shareholder is a risk investors do not have to take

Rodney Hobson 21 February, 2014 | 12:00AM
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It takes a heart of stone not to feel sorry for the unfortunate investors who have squandered their money on shares in Essar Energy (ESSR) but they should have seen this as a high risk investment from the start.

It is true that the London Stock Exchange also comes out of this debacle with egg on its face but I’m not sure how far the exchange can reasonably block companies from listing their shares. My first reaction was that companies controlled more than 50% by foreign owners should be blocked but this is probably not practicable and in any case Robert Maxwell, who indulged in dubious practices with a company he controlled, was based in the UK.

Briefly, Indian oil refiner Essar raised £1.2 billion by floating 22% of the company at 420p a share four years ago. The shares have slumped and the controlling shareholders, Indian brothers Ravi and Prashant Ruia, are proposing to buy them back at 70p.

There is nothing to force them to go higher, since they already own 78% of the shares, which were trading at 66p before the derisory bid. Indeed, they could well have offered less than the market price and got away with it, so Essar shareholders should be grateful that they are not even worse off. Those with long memories may recall that some years ago Xerox (XRX) minority shareholders suffered such a fate.

The important lesson for shareholders to learn is that you are utterly helpless if you own shares in a company with a majority shareholder. It can work well, and small property company Terrace Hill (THG) is an excellent example of a competent and benign majority shareholder working for the general good. However, it is a risk that investors do not have to take.

Golden Addendum

While lecturing on finance and investment on Fred Olsen’s world cruise I was approached by a woman who had found some old share certificates among her mother’s effects. They all relate to gold mining companies and are dated between 1895 and 1900.

I suspect their only value is as collectors’ items but I would be interested to hear at rodhobson@hotmail.com from anyone who can cast light on what happened to Holcomb Valley, a Californian miner, or three from Australia, Gleeson Success, Empress of Calgardie and Achilles.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security NamePriceChange (%)Morningstar
Rating
Xerox Holdings Corp8.75 USD4.29

About Author

Rodney Hobson

Rodney Hobson  is a columnist for Morningstar.co.uk and author of several investing books, including The Dividend Investor and How to Build a Share Portfolio.

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