Investors in Reliance group companies are counting the cost since the ownership spat between the two Ambani brothers emerged into the open two weeks ago, undercutting confidence in India's largest private group for millions of shareholders.
Analysts said the battle could be long drawn out and hit directly at one of the key strengths of the group - 30 years of confidence from millions of small investors as well as major funds who have watched earnings and share prices grow steadily in the family-run business.
Concerns of a family split are growing after Mukesh Ambani, the 47-year-old chairman of the flagship Reliance Industries, asserted control of the conglomerate last week in a note to employees. Analysts expect his brother Anil, 45, who heads unit Reliance Energy, may go to court to ensure he remains involved in day-to-day management. "It appears that Mukesh is in the driver's seat leaving little space for Anil which could make the younger brother go to court to claim his rights. In that case the battle gets murkier," one fund manager said on condition of anonymity.
Mukesh became chairman in 2002 after the death of his father and founder of the group, Dhirubhai Ambani. The Ambani family owns 46 percent of Reliance Industries, which in turn holds controlling stakes in various group companies.
Reports indicate that of the 46 percent stake, the office of the chairman holds 30 percent in Reliance Industries.
Reliance group shares have been on a roller-coaster ride since the differences between the two brothers broke out, with investors down some 80 billion rupees (1.8 billion dollars).
Group shares, after opening weak Monday, recovered in noon trade offering a little breather to nervous investors. The recovery helped the broad market index to end at its second highest closing ever.
Reliance Industries closed up 6.25 rupees or 1.24 percent at 509.80, off a low of 487, while Reliance Energy closed up 6.20 rupees or 1.13 percent at 555.30, off a low of 521.20. Group stock Reliance Capital closed up 4.60 rupees or 3.40 percent at 138.30 and Indian Petrochemicals ended up 4.20 rupees or 2.40 percent at 178.60.
"If the battle goes to the courts then Reliance shares could languish for a long, long time despite the group's strong fundamentals," said Prakash Lala, managing director at Centaur Capital Market.
Speculation was rife Monday that Anil Ambani had approached a top legal firm to sort out the ownership battle but this could not be confirmed.
Reliance Industries accounts for 11.3 percent on the benchmark Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share Sensex index and any adverse impact on its share price normally affects the broad market.
The share price has fallen nearly 10 percent on Indian bourses and by 14 percent on the London Stock Exchange since the family tussle came into the open but the biggest loser has been Reliance Energy, which has lost over 14 percent on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Fund managers claim the fall in Reliance shares has fortunately not hit the market significantly as foreign investors continue to pump funds into other Indian stocks.
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