Synopsis:- Telecom stock remained in focus after a ₹96.22 crore block deal involving 5.4 lakh shares, reflecting institutional interest. Subscriber additions stood at 48.57 lakh. Brokerages see 45% upside with a ₹2,550 target, while a $1 billion data centre investment and improving capex outlook support long-term growth visibility.
The shares of the largest telecom company are in focus after BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired 5.4 lakh shares through a block deal, alongside the company’s latest business update.
With a market capitalisation of Rs 9,97,013.12 crore, the shares of Bharti Airtel Ltd were trading at Rs 1,753.00 per share, decreasing around 2 percent as compared to the previous closing price of Rs 1782.00 apiece.
Block Deal & Business Update
As per the exchange, BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired 5.4 lakh shares (0.008% stake) in Bharti Airtel via a block deal at ₹1,782 per share, totaling ₹96.22 crore, indicating sustained institutional interest. Additionally, in February, the company added 48.57 lakh users compared to 44.06 lakh earlier, reflecting steady subscriber growth and strengthening its market position.
Brokerage Recommendations
Kotak Institutional Equities has maintained a positive outlook on the telecom stock, assigning a ‘Buy’ rating with a target price of ₹2,550. This implies a potential upside of 45% from the current price of ₹1,782, reflecting confidence in the company’s growth prospects and improving industry dynamics.
As per the brokerage, Bharti’s wireless business remains resilient with steady market share gains and a likely ARPU hike ahead. Moreover, three key segments, homes, enterprise, and data centers, are expected to see accelerated capex and growth, supporting long-term expansion. This positions the company well to capture rising digital demand across segments.
Additionally, capex is expected at 21–22% of revenue over FY2026–28E versus 30% historically, aiding deleveraging and higher shareholder payouts. Furthermore, NBFC capital allocation concerns seem overdone, while the recent correction makes valuations attractive at around 8x EV/EBITDA FY2028E, improving the overall risk-reward profile significantly.
Recent Investment
Recently, Airtel announced a major $1 billion investment in its data centre arm, Nxtra Data Ltd, backed by global investors. Alpha Wave Global leads with $435 million, followed by Carlyle at $240 million and Anchorage Capital at $35 million. Moreover, Airtel will also invest, while retaining a controlling stake, ensuring strategic control and long-term growth in the data centre space.
The company reported mixed financial performance, with revenue rising 20% from ₹45,129 crore to ₹53,982 crore, indicating strong top-line growth. However, net profit sharply declined 47% from ₹16,135 crore to ₹8,503 crore, suggesting margin pressures or higher costs, which weighed on overall profitability despite robust revenue expansion.
Bharti Airtel is one of India’s largest telecom operators, offering mobile, broadband, and digital services. With a strong presence across India and several international markets, the company focuses on expanding 4G/5G networks, growing its digital ecosystem, and strengthening enterprise and data center businesses to drive long-term growth.
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