BSE Announces 2:1 Bonus Share Issue

Mumbai: BSE Ltd has announced a 2:1 bonus share issue, meaning shareholders will receive two free shares for every one they currently hold. The company’s board approved the decision in a meeting, however, the record date for the bonus issue will be announced later.

This is the second time since its 2017 listing that the BSE has decided to issue bonus shares. The last time was in 2022, when the exchange also offered bonus shares in the same 2:1 ratio.

Investors who hold BSE shares before the ex-date will be eligible for the bonus issue. Bonus shares are given to existing shareholders at no extra cost and are usually issued to capitalise on free reserves and increase the company’s paid-up capital while reducing its reserves.

The BSE has a history of rewarding its shareholders. Since going public, it has paid over Rs 170 per share in dividends and conducted two share buybacks, one in 2019 and another in 2023.

BSE Limited shares surged 16.09 per cent on Friday, closing at Rs5,438. However, the stock has remained largely flat in 2025 so far.

The surge in share price followed a proposal from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to standardise expiry days for equity derivatives across stock exchanges.

This surge helped the stock cross its 200-day moving average. The Sebi has suggested that all exchanges should choose either Tuesday or Thursday as the expiry day for derivatives contracts, including stock and index options and futures.