Leading real estate developer Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Limited has informed that Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Espana has acquired a further 1.03% stake in the company to raise its holding to 5.96%.

Recently, Ansal has announced that it will invest Rs 3600 crore for developing a 270-acre IT Special Economic Zone and parks in the country. The proposed 270 acre SEZ would consist of an IT zone, commercial zone, residential zone and a recreational area.

Ansal Properties currently has approval for setting up IT or ITES SEZs in Greater Noida, Gurgaon and Mumbai.

The company recorded a profit after tax of Rs 19.40 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2008, a 40.47 per cent decline over Rs 32.59 crore, during the same quarter last year.