Vedanta's board approves interim dividend of ₹7/share amounting to ₹2,737 crore; shares decline

Shares of billionaire Anil Agarwal-led mining giant Vedanta Ltd fell as much as 3% from the day's highest level to hit an intraday low of ₹453.50 on the BSE after its board approved the first interim dividend for the current financial year.

On the National Stock Exchange, Vedanta shares fell as much as 3.08% from the day's highest level of ₹467.75 to hit a low of ₹453, data from NSE showed.

Vedanta's board of directors on Wednesday, June 18, considered and approved a dividend payment of ₹7 per share amounting to ₹2,737 crore.

"We wish to inform you that the Board of Directors of Vedanta Limited (the 'Company'), at its meeting held today, i.e., Wednesday, June 18, 2025, has considered and approved the First Interim Dividend of ₹7 per equity share on a face value of ₹1 per equity share for the Financial Year 2025-26, amounting to ₹2,737 crore," Vedanta said in an exchange filing.

Vedanta has a strong history of regularly rewarding shareholders with dividend payouts. Last financial year, Vedanta announced four interim dividends amounting to ₹43.50 per share.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Anil Agarwal-led company said it has divested 1.6% stake in its arm Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) for nearly ₹3,028 crore.

As Vedanta actively progresses towards the demerger of its businesses, the money raised through stake sales will help deleverage the balance sheet and enhance financial flexibility, enabling each of the demerged entities to pursue their independent growth plans.

In a regulatory filing, the company informed that it has "sold 66.7 million shares in Hindustan Zinc Ltd...to institutional investors by way of an accelerated bookbuild process, representing…1.6 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital".

The gross proceeds from the sale of shares amount to around ₹3,028 crore.

Following this development, shares of Hindustan Zinc fell as much as 6.38% to hit an intraday low of ₹455.35.

As of 1:41 pm, Vedanta shares traded 0.04% lower at ₹458.70, outperforming the SENSEX, which was down 0.23%.