Tata Investment Corporation Limited is a non-banking financial company (NBFC) promoted by Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. The Company is registered with the Reserve Bank of India under the category of Investment Company. It is engaged in the business of investment in listed and unlisted equity shares, debt instruments of companies in a wide range of Industries and in mutual funds. The Company together with Tata Sons is a Promoter of the Tata Mutual Fund. The Company is also the principal shareholder of Tata Securities Ltd, a company engaged in the distribution of mutual funds and other investment-related securities.
Tata Investment Corporation Limited was incorporated on March 5, 1937 as the Investment Corporation of India Limited. The Company was formed to work as an Investment Corporation for investments in land acquisition of stocks debentures etc. in India or elsewhere and for business of underwriting of new leave space business and also for taking over the management and control of companies. In 1992, the company became one of the first private sector companies to be a member of the OTC Exchange of India Ltd. The company established Tata Mutual Fund during the same year. On September 18, 1995, the name of the company was changed to Tata Investment Corporation Limited. On June 24, 1998, the Company got listed on the NSE. Over the years, through a gradual and judicious portfolio management Tata Investment has built up a portfolio of investments which had a book value of over Rs. 3750 Crores with an approximate market value of Rs. 29,307 crores as at 31st March, 2024 spread over 73 companies in various industries.
The original inspiration for launching Tata Investment Corporation Limited was to help set up and nurture small and medium-sized entrepreneurs and their companies. For many years after its inception, the Company played a role of a catalyst in promoting long term investments in the country and was instrumental in the promotion of projects with new Indian entrepreneurs and foreign collaborators whilst simultaneously taking minority equity stakes in such new projects. This promotional role of TICL resulted in the formation of many companies which were well known a few decades ago such as, Associated Bearing Co Ltd. (now SKF Bearings (India) Ltd.), Ceat Tyres Ltd. (now Ceat Ltd), National Rayon Corporation, companies promoted by the Ghia family and others, some of which are even today listed on the stock exchange.
In 1957, The Oriental Government Security Life Assurance Co Ltd was amalgamated with the company with effect from July 1, 1957. In March 1959, the company became one of the few investment companies in India with public shareholding when they listed their equity shares on the BSE.
During the period 1950-1960, the company's main activities included promotion of long-term investments as well as to assist in promotion of new ventures by Indian entrepreneurs where the company would hold a minority stake. During the period 1960-1970, the company's activities underwent a gradual transformation, when they primarily began to operate as an investment company with a diversified portfolio of equity investments.
During the year 2004-05, the company acquired 49.9% shareholding held by TD Waterhouse Group incorporated in Tata TD Waterhouse Securities Pvt Ltd. The balance 50.1% was already held by two other Tata companies. The name of the Tata TD Waterhouse Securities Pvt Ltd has been changed to Tata Securities Pvt Ltd. This company is engaged in distribution of mutual funds and other finance-related products.
Apart from growing its own investment activities, TICL also expanded inorganically by merging the investment activities of Investa Ltd. and Varuna Investments Ltd. with itself. TICL has an exemplary dividend record having declared dividend every year since inception, barring the first year. The Company became a subsidiary of Tata Sons Pvt Ltd. in February, 2008. Tata Sons, together with other Tata companies, holds approximately 73.38% of the paid-up capital of Tata Investment Corporation Limited.
The Corporation acquired 95.57% stake in Simto Investment Co. Ltd. (Simto) on 31st August, 2012, making Simto a subsidiary of TICL.
Tata Sons Ltd. acquired 50,00,000 Equity Shares of the Company from Tata Chemicals Ltd. and the Company became a subsidiary of Tata Sons Ltd with effect from February 13, 2008.The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 16th November, 2018, had approved buyback up to 4,500,000 equity shares of Rs. 10 each, on a proportionate basis, at a price of Rs. 1,000 per equity share payable in cash for an aggregate consideration not exceeding Rs. 450 crores by way of a Tender Offer route through Stock Exchange Mechanism. The Company completed the Buy back and 4,500,000 shares were extinguished on 22nd February 2019.
TICL co-promoted TATA Asset Management Private Company Ltd. with TATA Sons Pvt Ltd. in 1994. Tata Sons holds 68% while TICL holds 32% of Tata Asset Management Company Pvt Ltd. Tata Asset Management (TAM) is one of the first fund management companies in the Indian private sector. The company's principal activity is to act as investment manager to the Tata Mutual Funds. It has a client base of over 1 million people. The total assets under management of TATA AMC approximate Rs.89,500 crores as on 31st March 2022 in the domestic market.
Tata Asset Management Company Pvt Ltd offers a range of innovative investment solutions to facilitate wealth creation for its investors. The company manages funds across the entire risk-return continuum. These include equity funds, balanced funds and debt funds.