NSE, BSE put Ambuja Cements, other Adani firms under short-term ASM

NEW DELHI: As many as three Adani group companies, including Adani Enterprises, have
come under short-term additional surveillance measure (ASM) framework of the BSE and NSE,
according to the latest data available with the exchanges on Thursday. Apart from Adani
Enterprises, the other two firms listed by the exchanges are — Adani Ports and Special
Economic Zone and Ambuja Cements.
The parameters for shortlisting securities under ASM include high-low variation, client
concentration, number of price band hits, close-to-close price variation and price-earning ratio.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE said these companies have satisfied the criteria
for inclusion in short-term additional surveillance measure or ASM.
Under the short-term ASM, the exchanges said, “applicable rate of margin shall be 50 per cent
or existing margin whichever is higher, subject to maximum rate of margin capped at 100 per
cent, with effect from February 6, 2023 on all open positions as on February 3, 2023 and new
positions created from February 6, 2023”.
Market experts believe that putting in this framework means intra-day trading would require 100
per cent upfront margin.
The exchanges also noted that the shortlisting of securities under ASM is purely on account of
market surveillance, and it should not be construed as an adverse action against the concerned
company or entity.
Meanwhile, shares of Adani Enterprises tumbled over 26 per cent on Thursday, a day after the
firm said it has decided not to go ahead with its Rs 20,000-crore Follow-on Public Offer (FPO)
and will return the proceeds to investors. The counter had plunged more than 28 per cent on
Wednesday.
Most of the other group firms also declined for the sixth day in a row on Thursday and 10 listed
Adani Group firms have faced a combined erosion of over Rs 8.76 lakh crore in past six days.
Adani Group stocks have taken a beating on the bourses after US-based Hindenburg Research
made a litany of allegations in a report, including fraudulent transactions and share price
manipulation at the Gautam Adani-led group. Adani Group has dismissed the charges as lies,
saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements.