In a significant strategic move, the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has substantially increased its shareholding in Adani Group-backed cement major ACC Ltd, crossing the crucial 10% threshold mark. The state-owned insurance behemoth has also raised its stake in public sector undertaking NBCC (India), according to recent regulatory filings.
LIC's Strategic Boost in ACC Stake
The insurance giant purchased an additional 37,82,029 shares of ACC Ltd, representing 2.014% of the company's equity, through open market transactions. This acquisition has elevated LIC's total holding in the cement manufacturer to 1,98,97,064 shares, which now constitutes 10.596% of ACC's paid-up share capital.
Before this transaction, LIC held 1,61,15,035 equity shares in ACC, equivalent to 8.582% of the company's total share capital. The market purchases occurred between 20 May 2025 and 25 November 2025, demonstrating a calculated accumulation strategy over several months.
Concurrent Increase in NBCC India Holding
Simultaneously, LIC strengthened its position in the public sector enterprise NBCC (India) by acquiring 30,24,672 additional shares, amounting to 2.071% of the voting capital. Following this purchase, LIC's total holding in NBCC now stands at 12,08,91,590 shares, representing 4.477% of the company's total voting capital.
Interestingly, despite acquiring additional shares, LIC's percentage holding decreased from the previous 6.548% due to a substantial expansion in NBCC's voting capital base. The company's voting capital has increased significantly from 180,00,00,000 shares to 270,00,00,000 shares.
LIC clarified that all acquisitions were executed entirely through the market purchase route, with the buying window for NBCC spanning from 25 April 2018 to 24 November 2025. The corporation emphasized that no preferential allotment, rights issue, or off-market transfers were involved in these transactions.
Stock Performance Analysis
The Adani Group-backed ACC stock has faced challenges in recent times, declining over 15% in the last year and over 3% in the past six months. However, it has shown some recovery with a 3% gain in the last three months, while remaining relatively flat over the past month. Over a five-year period, the stock has delivered modest returns of just 9%.
In today's trading session, ACC stock slipped 0.6%, hitting an intraday low of ₹1,855.85. The stock currently trades 20% below its 52-week high of ₹2,324.95, recorded in December last year, while its 52-week low stands at ₹1,775.05, touched in May 2025.
In contrast, the PSU stock NBCC India has demonstrated robust performance, rising over 20% in the last year and over 2% in the past six months. The stock has added approximately 20% in the last three months and 7% over the past month. Most impressively, over the last five years, NBCC has delivered multibagger returns, rallying an astonishing 581%.
In today's trade, NBCC climbed 1%, reaching an intraday high of ₹118.55. The stock currently sits 9% below its 52-week high of ₹130.60, hit in June 2025, while its 52-week low is ₹70.82, recorded in March 2025.
LIC's simultaneous investment in both a struggling Adani Group company and a high-performing PSU stock reflects a diversified investment strategy, balancing potential recovery plays with established growth performers in the current market environment.
