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Fidelity To Sell Indian Fund Arm To Local Player
Tara Loader Wilkinson
30 March 2012
Fidelity Worldwide Investment is selling its Indian mutual
fund business to L&T Finance, a spokesperson for the firm confirmed. L&T Finance, a subsidiary of multi-billion dollar Indian
technology conglomerate Larsen & Toubro, has agreed to buy FIL Fund Management Private Limited and FIL
Trustee Company Private Limited, subject to regulatory approvals. The sale price was not disclosed. Fidelity Fund Management has the largest
mutual fund in India with a strong equity-orientated franchise, access to high net worth individuals and a strong investment plan
portfolio, according to the spokesperson. The deal ends an unprofitable foray into the Indian fund market by Fidelity, according to The
Wall Street Journal, which racked up annual losses from the business since its 2004 launch. The company will continue to
operate other businesses in India, said the report, including a back office and
technology centre which employs around 1,500 people in Gurgaon, near Delhi. Fidelity will also keep an equity
research team in India to support the $3.8 billion in Indian equities it
manages for its global clients, The WSJ said.