Vedanta Limited has announced a second interim dividend of ₹16.00 per equity share for the financial year 2025-26, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder returns. This declaration comes as a positive development for investors amidst recent market fluctuations and ongoing corporate activities.

Dividend Details

The company's board has approved a second interim dividend of ₹16.00 per share, which amounts to approximately ₹6,256.00 crore. The record date for this dividend has been set for August 27, 2025. This follows Vedanta's first interim dividend of ₹7.00 per share paid in June of the same financial year.

Recent Dividend History

Vedanta's dividend distribution has been substantial in recent years:

• In FY25, the company distributed ₹43.50 per share as dividend, totaling over ₹17,000.00 crore in payout.
• Over the past four financial years, Vedanta has returned more than ₹200.00 per share to its investors.

Shareholder Base

As of the June quarter, Vedanta boasts a significant retail investor base:

Stock Performance

Following the dividend announcement, Vedanta's shares closed at ₹447.10 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), up 0.36 percent.

Conclusion

The announcement of this substantial second interim dividend for FY26 provides a positive signal to shareholders. As Vedanta continues to navigate through various corporate challenges and opportunities, investors will likely keep a close eye on the company's performance and strategic decisions in the coming months.

Investors should note the ex-dividend date and ensure they are registered shareholders by the record date to be eligible for this dividend payment.

Shares of Vedanta Limited fell over 2% on Tuesday following a series of setbacks related to the company's proposed demerger plan. The decline came as the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) postponed hearings on the demerger to September 17, amid objections from the Central Government and a warning from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Vedanta Refutes Claims of Stopped Demerger

Vedanta has refuted claims suggesting that its demerger process has been stopped. The company made this clarification in response to circulating reports about the status of its corporate restructuring initiative.

Government Raises Concerns

The Central Government has raised objections to Vedanta's demerger plan, citing potential hindrances to the recovery of dues. The government also alleged that the company concealed key information, inflated revenues, and had undisclosed liabilities. These concerns have cast a shadow over the company's restructuring efforts.

SEBI's Administrative Warning

In a separate development, SEBI issued an administrative warning to Vedanta for making modifications to the demerger scheme after receiving a No Objection Certificate. The market regulator termed this action a "serious breach," further complicating the company's demerger process.

Demerger Plan Details

Vedanta had announced its demerger plan in September 2023, proposing to split the company into four separate entities:

1. Aluminium
2. Oil and Gas
3. Power
4. Base Metals

The completion deadline for this restructuring was extended to September 30, 2025, highlighting the complexity of the process.

Upcoming Board Meeting

Despite the ongoing challenges, Vedanta's board is scheduled to meet on August 21 to consider a second interim dividend. The company has set August 27 as the record date for this potential dividend.

Market Reaction

The market responded negatively to these developments, with Vedanta's shares dropping more than 2% in trading. Investors appear to be cautious about the company's future amid the regulatory and governmental scrutiny.

Recent Corporate Disclosure

In a recent corporate filing, Vedanta's subsidiary, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), received a penalty order from the Income Tax Department. The order, dated August 18, levies a penalty of Rs. 80.96 lakh for the Assessment Year 2012-13. BALCO intends to file an appeal against this order, expressing confidence in a favorable outcome.

The series of events surrounding Vedanta's demerger plan and the recent regulatory actions have created uncertainty for investors. As the situation unfolds, market participants will be closely watching for further developments and the company's response to these challenges.