Patni Computer Services spurted 4.23% to Rs 476.30 at 10:09 IST on reports L&T Infotech, a part of engineering & construction major Larsen & Toubro, is in advanced talks to acquire a majority shareholding in the software company.
Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was down 163.31 points, or 1.03%, to 15748.82.
On BSE, 82,167 shares were traded in the counter as against an average daily volume of 2.81 lakh shares in the past one quarter.
The stock hit a high of Rs 480.35 and a low of Rs 463 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 522.70 on 30 October 2009 and a 52-week low of Rs 94 on 2 March 2009.
The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 4 November 2009, rising 1.03% as compared to the Sensex 7.13% fall. It outperformed the market in past one quarter, soaring 23.94% as against 0.51% rise in the Sensex.
The mid-cap software exporter has an equity capital of Rs 25.67 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.
The current price of Rs 476.30 discounts the company's Q3 September 2009 annualised EPS of Rs 32.27, by a PE multiple of 14.75.
According to reports, L&T Infotech has already completed due diligence and details of the deal are being worked out.
The development comes after all three Patni brothers -- Narendra Kumar, Gajendra Kumar and Ashok Kumar -- who together hold 48.30% stake finally decided to sell their stake.
In 2007, talks for a similar sale had failed, as only Gajendra and Ashok were willing to part with their holdings. Narendra, who has been actively involved in running the business, was not willing to sell stake.
Another trigger for a sale at this time, according to reports, is that General Atlantic also wants to exit from the company. Private equity (PE) firm General Atlantic holds 18% stake in the company.
Patni has reportedly hired Ambit Capital to conduct a valuation of the company. Reports suggest that the deal size could be around $1-1.5 billion.
Reports suggest that if L&T Infotech acquires Patni, it would make the combined entity the fifth-largest software firm in India. L&T Infotech is currently in 11th place.
Patni Computer Systems' net profit fell 29.40% to Rs 103.52 crore on a 1.70% increase in sales to Rs 434.92 crore in Q3 September 2009 over Q2 June 2009.
Patni Computer Systems develops software and provides information technology services and business solutions. The company maintains application development projects, across all major software platforms and environments.