scorecardresearchPaytm drops 9% as Softbank looks to sell shares worth over ₹1600 crore

Paytm drops 9% as Softbank looks to sell shares worth over 1600 crore

Updated: 17 Nov 2022, 11:20 AM IST
TL;DR.

  • Softbank is looking to sell 4.5% stake in Paytm, sources have said

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and chairman of One97 Communications Ltd., operator of PayTM speaks during the Singapore Fintech Festival, in Singapore, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. The conference runs through Nov. 4. Photographer: Bryan van der Beek/Bloomberg

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and chairman of One97 Communications Ltd., operator of PayTM speaks during the Singapore Fintech Festival, in Singapore, on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. The conference runs through Nov. 4. Photographer: Bryan van der Beek/Bloomberg

(PTI) Shares of One97 Communications, Paytm's parent firm, on Thursday tumbled 10 per cent in morning trade following reports that Japan-based Softbank has started the process to sell a 4.5 per cent stake in the company in a block deal.

After a weak beginning, the stock further tanked 10 per cent to 541.30 on the BSE.

At the NSE, it fell 9.98 per cent to 541.40.

Softbank has started the process to sell a 4.5 per cent stake in One97 Communications for about USD 200 million (around 1,627 crore) in a block deal, according to sources.

The development comes immediately after the lock-in period for Paytm's investors to trade shares ended.

Softbank is the second largest shareholder with a 17.5 per cent stake in the company.

According to two sources aware of the development, Softbank has offered to sell shares in the price band of 555 to 601.55 apiece that are held through its subsidiary SVF India Holdings.

Softbank expects to raise around USD 200 million at the lower end of the price band of 555.

The deal may fetch Softbank around USD 215 million at the upper end. Softbank had invested USD 1.6 billion in Paytm in the last quarter of 2017 and offloaded shares worth USD 220 million at the time of IPO.

First Published: 17 Nov 2022, 09:34 AM IST