Paytm Stock: Societe Generale Bulk Deal – 67 Lakh Shares Bought
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Paytm shares experienced a 2.3% decline on monday, closing at Rs 1,053 crore on the NSE, even as the company marked a meaningful shift with the complete exit of Antfin, its last remaining Chinese shareholder. This move removes a long-standing overhang for the company and could pave the way for a positive market reaction.
Antfin Exits,Clearing the Way for Future Growth
Antfin’s exit was executed through a bulk deal,selling its stake for approximately Rs 3,800 crore (approximately $457 million). My Asian Opportunities Master Fund LP acquired 35 lakh shares at Rs 1,067.50 apiece, representing a total investment of Rs 374 crore.The complete removal of Chinese ownership is anticipated too alleviate investor concerns regarding regulatory scrutiny and potential supply pressure. Sachin dixit of JM Financial commented, “With the long-standing overhang from a major Chinese investor now removed, Paytm’s stock could see a positive reaction as ownership concerns ease and supply pressure decreases.Such clean-out trades often provide clarity to the market, allowing investors to refocus on fundamentals and future growth. The exit also aligns the cap table more with regulatory expectations, which could be viewed favourably in the context of Paytm’s pending payment aggregator license.”
this exit marks the culmination of a significant shift in Paytm’s shareholder base. Over the past two years, major pre-IPO investors like Alibaba, SoftBank, and Berkshire Hathaway have also fully exited their positions. Currently, Elevation Capital (formerly SAIF Partners) remains the only significant pre-IPO investor, holding a 15.4% stake as of June 2025.
Paytm Reports First Profitable Quarter
Adding to the positive developments, One 97 Communications, Paytm’s parent company, reported its first profitable quarter in Q1FY26.The company posted a consolidated net gain of Rs 122.5 crore, a substantial turnaround from the rs 839 crore loss reported in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.
Revenue from operations also saw a healthy increase, rising 28% to Rs 1,917 crore, compared to Rs 1,502 crore in Q1FY25. This positive momentum follows a net loss of Rs 540 crore in Q4FY25.
What This Means for investors
The combination of Antfin’s exit and the return to profitability signals a potential turning point for Paytm. The removal of Chinese ownership addresses a key concern for some investors, while the demonstrated profitability validates the company’s business model and growth strategy.
Analysts suggest that investors may now be able to focus more on Paytm’s underlying fundamentals and future growth prospects, possibly leading to a re-evaluation of the stock. The company’s progress towards securing a payment aggregator license further strengthens its long-term outlook.
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