Novartis India which has closed yesterday at Rs.827.85, opened lower at Rs.746 and slipping down further by 13% to Rs.720. It continues to remain firmly in the red, down some 12%.

The market is terribly disappointed with the buyback price of Novartis. The Board yesterday approved a buyback of 38.20 lakh shares, which is 11.95% of the total equity capital from existing shareholders at a price of Rs/760/share.

This price is at over 8% discount to yesterday’s close and this is what has grossly disappointed the marketmen, who had expected the price to be at a premium.

The Board has stated that the promoters will also be participating in the proposed buyback.