Ever since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the subsequent lockdowns and its economic impact, the securities market has seen a rampant increase in demat accounts. Recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that in a span of four years, the number of demat accounts in India have grown 2.5 times from 4.1 crore in 2019-20 to 10 crore in 2022-23. The new retail investors, who entered the market, took a liking to stocks across sectors - be it jewellery, chemicals or railways. Here is a list of the top 10 companies that saw their public shareholder base grow exponentially in the last few years.
2/11
Vaibhav Global Ltd: According to figures by Prime Database, public shareholding in the company has increased 2,390 percent to 1,29,129 in June 2023 from a mere 5,186 recorded in December 2019. A multi-national electronic retailer and manufacturer of fashion jewellery and lifestyle accessories, Vaibhav’s 10-year compound sales growth is about 12 percent. As per Moneycontrol data, the market cap of the company is Rs 7,437 crore. Up until 2021, the share price showcased a relentless upward trajectory by gaining over 500 percent. Since its record high of Rs 996 in 2021, shares have tanked nearly 60 percent.
3/11
Indian Energy Exchange Ltd: Indian Energy Exchange is an electronic power trading platform, regulated by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. It commands a nearly 90 percent market share in the power exchange market. After a good ride post-COVID on the back of optimism around power demand and rising trading volumes, the stock has lost steam because of CERC's move towards market coupling among power exchanges to bring in uniform price discovery. Retail participation in the stock has grown, while institutional shareholders have been dumping the stocks.
4/11
Affle India Ltd: Data suggests that in a span of 4 years, public shareholding in the company has surged 2077 percent in June 2023. Affle’s current market cap stands at Rs 14,339 crore. Affle provides mobile advertisement services through information technology and software development services for mobiles in India and internationally. While DIIs, FIIs and retail investors have eyed the stock as attractive, promoters of the company have sold shares to 60 percent from 68 percent.
Alkyl Amines Chemicals Ltd: The public shareholders of the company have grown to 2,01,846, marking a 1,937 percent jump in the last 4 years. Alkyl is a global supplier of aliphatic amines, specialty amines and amine derivatives to the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, water treatment, rubber chemical and other varieties of industries. The company’s 10-year compounded sales growth is about 16 percent. DIIs and promoters have sold shares, while FIIs see it as an attractive investment.
6/11
Brightcom Group Ltd: Data from Prime Database shows that shareholders in the company has increased 1,556 percent in 4 years. The company is a global provider of comprehensive online or digital marketing services to direct marketers, brand advertisers, and marketing agencies. Its 10-year compounded sale growth is estimated to be 17 percent. Promoters and FIIs have risen while DII shareholding has decreased during the same period.
7/11
Chalet Hotels Ltd: Over the last 4 years, retail investors in the company have increased 1,417 percent. Chalet Hotels Limited is an owner, developer, asset manager and operator of high-end hotels and a hotel led mixed-use developer across India. The company’s portfolio comprises nine fully operational hotels representing 2,802 keys, across mainstream and luxury segments, and commercial spaces. Its five-year compounded sales growth is estimated to be about 7 percent. Moreover, foreign inflows have come down, DII shareholding has increased.
8/11
Trident Ltd: Retail Investors in the company have risen by 1,376 percent since December 2019. The Punjab-headquartered company is an international textile fabric manufacturer with businesses in home textile products, paper, chemicals, and yarn solutions. Its 10-year compounded profit growth is estimated to be around 25 percent. Trident competes with the likes of Welspun India, Go Fashion, and Raymond to name a few. In March 2020, government-held about a 1 percent stake in the company, however, June 2023 data shows that the government has sold all its shares.
IRCTC Ltd: Over the last 4 years, retail investors in the company have increased by about 1,344 percent, Primedata Base figures show. The railway major’s 5-year compound annual sales growth is about 19 percent. While promoters have been on a selling spree, FIIs, and DIIs have been increasing their stake in the railway company.
10/11
Indiamart Intermesh Ltd: Public shareholding in the company has changed drastically from December 2019 to June 2023. Data shows that retail investors in Indiamart have increased by 1,331 percent. With a market cap of over Rs 17,000 crore, the company connects suppliers with buyers. It also has partnerships with leading brands like Tata, Airtel, Hyundai, and Bosch among others. The stock has attracted foreign institutional investors after it doubled in the last four years.
11/11
HLE Glasscoat Ltd: Involved in the business of manufacturing process equipment for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the stock has caught the eye of investors. Over the last 4 years, the stock has witnessed a 1,249 percent increase in public shareholders. The company’s 10-year compound sales growth is about 10 percent. FIIs have been bullish on the stock post covid, while promoters have been repeatedly offloading stake in the company.
