Mishtann Foods hits 20% lower circuit as SEBI issues show cause notice

Mishtann Foods shares were locked in the 20 percent lower circuit for the second consecutive session on December 9, following a show cause notice from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The notice alleged the misappropriation or diversion of Rs 100 crore through group entities.

SEBI's allegations

SEBI's whole-time member, Ashwani Bhatia, pointed to significant misrepresentation in Mishtann Foods' financial statements. The market regulator accused the company of inflating sales and purchases through fictitious transactions with entities allegedly created under the names of the promoters and their relatives.

The accusations raised red flags about potential governance issues, shaking investor confidence and leading to a heavy sell-off in the counter.

Company's response

Mishtann Foods denied the allegations, claiming that its legal team is working to address SEBI's concerns and take appropriate action. Despite this, the controversy triggered a sharp increase in trading volumes, with one crore shares changing hands in Friday’s session—nearly three times the one-month daily average of 34 lakh shares. On Monday, volumes remained elevated, with 37 lakh shares traded.

Impact on stock performance

The stock has suffered a massive blow, plummeting over 40 percent in the year-to-date period. Mishtann Foods now has a market capitalisation of Rs 497 crore.

The back-to-back lower circuits reflect investor concerns over the company’s financial integrity and the potential long-term impact of SEBI’s findings.

Outlook

The allegations come at a time when governance and transparency in listed companies are under increasing scrutiny. Investors will be closely monitoring Mishtann Foods' next steps, particularly its engagement with SEBI and the legal proceedings that follow.

For now, the stock remains under pressure as the market digests the seriousness of the allegations. Analysts suggest that the outcome of the regulatory scrutiny will be pivotal in determining the company’s future trajectory.