Varun Beverages Limited
LIC initiated a new position in Varun Beverages, acquiring 7,81,93,375 shares, representing a 2.31% stake, valued at approximately ₹3,740.76 crore at a share price of ₹478.10.
A leading beverage manufacturer and distributor in India, Varun Beverages operates as one of the world's largest franchisees of PepsiCo, a partnership spanning several decades. The company produces and distributes a comprehensive range of carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated beverages, and packaged water under premium PepsiCo brand names including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Mirinda, Seven-up, and Tropicana. It serves consumers across multiple regions through an extensive distribution network.
India's largest domestic institutional investor with over Rs 56 lakh crore in total AUM, of which roughly Rs 15 lakh crore sits in listed equities. Holds stakes in virtually every major listed Indian company. When LIC builds or exits a position, it moves markets. Government-owned and mandated to invest policyholder funds in Indian equities and bonds, making it the ultimate long-only, long-term India bull.