Is ITC Owned by Tata?

ITC Limited, founded in 1910 as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India, has evolved into one of India’s largest and most respected conglomerates. Its journey from a tobacco-focused firm to a diversified powerhouse spans multiple decades and industries. Here’s a quick look at ITC’s ownership, history, and why it often gets confused with Tata.

Understanding ITC’s Ownership Structure

ITC Limited is not owned by the Tata Group, nor is it controlled by hedge funds or any single Indian conglomerate. Instead, it has a diversified shareholding pattern.

The largest shareholder in ITC is British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BAT), which holds around 22% of the company’s shares.

Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders hold approximately 15% and 7.8%, respectively, suggesting a strong institutional and diversified investor base rather than concentrated ownership by a business house like Tata.

Why the Confusion?

The confusion likely stems from the similarities in their diverse business interests—both Tata and ITC operate in sectors like FMCG, hotels, and agri-business. However, there is no ownership or operational link between the two.

Read More: History of ITC Group.

Tata Group: A Separate Business Empire

The Tata Group, founded in 1868 by Jamsetji Tata, is another iconic Indian conglomerate. It owns and operates major companies like TCS, Tata Motors and more. While Tata Group also has a strong FMCG presence through Tata Consumer and a significant footprint in hospitality via Indian Hotels (Taj), it is independent from ITC in terms of ownership, leadership, and operations.

Conclusion

To sum up, ITC and Tata are both giants of Indian industry—but they are completely separate entities. ITC is not owned by Tata, and any such assumptions are purely misconceptions.

Both groups have carved out strong reputations in their respective domains, but their paths and portfolios remain distinct.

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