Bharti Airtel witnessed a major equity transaction on Friday, with 1.3% stake changing hands through large deals, reflecting a strategic shift by its Singapore-based investor Singtel. A total of 3.1 crore shares were traded at an average price of ₹1,820 per share, which was at a 2.5% discount to the previous day’s closing price.
Singtel Sells Airtel Stake to Rebalance Portfolio
The transaction was led by Singtel’s investment arm, Pastel, which has been a long-term stakeholder in Bharti Airtel. As per the March quarter data, Pastel held a 9.49% stake in the telecom major. With this recent move, Singtel has reduced its direct stake by around 1.2%, raising approximately $2 billion.
Singtel clarified that the decision was part of its broader strategy to optimise its asset portfolio and enhance shareholder returns. The stake sale was executed via private placement to international and Indian institutional investors, including some of Airtel’s existing shareholders.
“This transaction allows us to crystalise value at an attractive valuation while remaining a significant shareholder of Airtel,” said Arthur Lang, Singtel’s Group CFO.
He further added that this aligns with Singtel’s long-term capital allocation strategy under the Singtel28 growth plan, ensuring financial flexibility and focused investments in growth initiatives.
Post this transaction, Singtel will continue to hold a 28.3% stake in Bharti Airtel, with the holding now valued at S$48 billion. Singtel expects to record a gain of S$1.4 billion from this divestment.
Airtel Posts Stellar Q4FY25 Performance
Amidst this major stake reshuffle, Bharti Airtel also reported robust financial results for the March 2025 quarter. The telecom giant posted a 432% jump in consolidated net profit, which rose to ₹11,022 crore, compared to ₹2,072 crore in the same quarter last year.
In addition, consolidated revenue surged by 27% YoY to reach ₹47,876 crore in Q4FY25. The company also declared a final dividend of ₹16 per share for FY25, reinforcing investor confidence.
Key Metrics Show Continued Operational Strength
Mobile ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) increased to ₹245 in Q4FY25, up from ₹209 in Q4FY24.
Airtel added 24 million new smartphone users, marking a 9.5% year-on-year growth.
During the quarter, the company installed 3,300 new towers and 13,600 mobile broadband stations, expanding its network footprint and enhancing service quality across India.
Market Reaction
Despite the positive earnings, Bharti Airtel shares were trading lower at ₹1,818.6, down 2.6% on the NSE, likely reflecting short-term pressure from the bulk deal and stake divestment.
Conclusion:
The Singtel stake sale in Bharti Airtel highlights a strategic capital reallocation move, even as the telecom major continues to deliver strong operational and financial performance. With robust earnings, growing user base, and network expansion, Bharti Airtel remains a key player in India’s digital growth story.
