Shares of Hindustan Zinc sharply tumbled nearly 5% on Friday after a report said that the government is planning to sell as much as 2% stake in the metals major for up to Rs 5,000 crore ($525 million).
The shares of the company dropped to Rs 575.20 apiece on NSE, the lowest level seen by the stock in six weeks, after the release of the Bloomberg report, citing people familiar with the matter. Shares of Vedanta, meanwhile, tumbled 3% to Rs 318.80 apiece.
The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) aims to launch the process this month or in July this year, the report said, adding that ICICI Securities, Axis Capital, IIFL Capital Services, and HDFC Securities are advising the government on the transaction.
The Central government held nearly 28% stake in India’s largest silver producer, according to data on the company’s shareholding pattern as on March 31, 2026. Its largest promoter, Vedanta, meanwhile, held nearly 61% stake in the company.
Another 3.5% stake was held by insurance companies, while foreign investors held more than 2% stake in Hindustan Zinc, as at the end of the January-March quarter of FY26.
The latest report on the government's possible stake sale in Hindustan Zinc comes after the centre ramped up its disinvestment efforts. Last week, the government raised about $531 million from the sale of 2% stake in Coal India. Earlier this week, it raised $450 million by selling 6% stake in NHPC. Bloomberg also reported that the government is now mulling an OFS to sell 2% stake in LIC to raise as much as Rs 10,000 crore.
ED raids at Hindustan Zinc offices
The shares of Hindustan Zinc declined earlier this week after Vedanta said that the Enforcement Directorate team visited some of its offices, confirming news reports. "We hereby inform that the Enforcement Directorate team visited some offices of our company and Hindustan Zinc, a subsidiary of the company," Vedanta said after stock exchanges sought clarification regarding news reports around ED conducting searches against Vedanta Group in FEMA probe. The Anil Agarwal-led company added that it is fully cooperating with the authorities and providing all requested information.
Later, Vedanta announced that the searches had concluded and no penalty or restriction had been imposed by the authorities.
Hindustan Zinc shares have fallen more than 9% in one week and 6% in one month, while being down more than 6% in 2026 so far. The shares of the company have gained around 17% in one year.
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In the longer term, the stock delivered 87% returns over three years and 72% returns over five years. The company currently has a market capitalisation of more than Rs 2.43 lakh crore.
