Axis Bank stock rises 4% after CEO & MD Shikha Sharma's tenure shortened

New Delhi: Shares of Axis Bank on Tuesday rose as much as 4 percent in morning trade on the bourses after its CEO and Managing Director Shikha Sharma’s tenure was shortened. The Axis Bank board on Monday curtailed the fourth term of Sharma to seven months following an unusual request from her that she be relieved on December 2018, 29 months ahead of the scheduled term. [caption id=“attachment_3862013” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Axis Bank stock rises 4% after CEO & MD Shikha Sharma’s tenure shortened. Reuters image.[/caption] Following the announcement, shares of the company opened on a bullish note at Rs 523.10, then surged to a high of Rs 540, up 4.26 percent from its previous closing price. On NSE, the stock opened at Rs 523, then jumped to a high of Rs 540, a rise of 3.98 percent from its last close. The board’s decision came amidst RBI raising questions over her re-appointment for the fourth term as MD and CEO of the third largest private sector lender in the wake of mounting non-performing assets (NPAs). Sharma, who would complete her third term on 31 May, 2018, has been heading the bank since 2009. The Axis Bank board accepted her request for a shorter seven-month term (from 1 June to 31 December, 2018), subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the bank said in a regulatory filing.