Vodafone Idea ltd
Vodafone Idea’s Revival Plan: Government Equity Boost vs Shareholder Value Erosion

Business and Industry Overview: 

Vodafone Group Plc is a multinational telecom firm based in the United Kingdom. Its global headquarters and registered office are located in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It predominantly operates services in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. As of January 2025, Vodafone owns and operates networks in 15 countries, with partner networks in 46 further countries. Its Vodafone Global Enterprise division provides telecommunications and IT services to corporate clients in 150 countries. Vodafone has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The company has a secondary listing on the NASDAQ as American depositary receipts (ADRs). 

India has one of the largest telecom markets in the world, with 1.2 billion telephone subscribers as of May 2024. The rural telecom sector is also growing, with 59.59% of rural areas now having phone connections. Mobile data usage has increased by more than 10 times in recent years. In FY18, total wireless data usage was 4,206 petabytes, which increased to 47,629 petabytes in Q2 FY24. India is also one of the biggest consumers of data in the world. As per TRAI, the average data usage per user was only 61 MB per month in 2014, but in December 2023, it reached 19.47 GB per month. 

There are many opportunities in the telecom sector. By 2026, India will have 350 million 5G users, which will be 27% of all mobile users. The country is also increasing its mobile phone exports. In FY24, exports of mobile phones grew by 42%, reaching $15.6 billion. The demand for skilled workers is also increasing. By 2025, India will need around 22 million workers in fields like 5G technology, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and cloud computing. India is also leading in internet usage worldwide. The country ranks 2nd in international mobile broadband internet traffic and international internet bandwidth. 

Vodafone India is the Indian subsidiary of the UK-based Vodafone Group. It provides telecommunications services in India and has its operational head office in Mumbai. The Vodafone Idea network has approximately 375 million subscribers and is the third-largest mobile telecommunications network in India. 

Currently, India is the world’s second-largest telecommunications market, with a total telephone subscriber base standing at 1,203.69 million and having registered strong growth in the last decade. The Indian mobile economy is growing rapidly and will contribute to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to a report prepared by the GSM Association (GSMA) in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Vodafone Idea is one of the dominant players in the market, with an 18.19% market share.  

Latest Stock News: 

As of April 8, 2025, Vodafone Idea’s stock fell about 11.4% from ₹8.17 to ₹7.24 on NSE after an earlier rise driven by the government converting ₹36,950 crore of the company’s dues into equity, increasing its stake to 48.99%. SEBI allowed this without an open offer, treating the government as a public shareholder, to avoid financial strain and support the struggling telecom firm. Despite this relief, Vi continues to face challenges—JM Financial expects it lost 4.2 million low-paying users in Q4FY25, though its mobile broadband users may grow by 2 million. ARPU is projected to stay flat at ₹163, and revenue may decline 2.1% to ₹10,900 crore, with EBITDA also falling slightly. In contrast, Jio and Airtel are expected to gain 4 million and 3 million users, respectively, while Vi’s base may shrink to 197 million. Meanwhile, Vi confirmed to stock exchanges that no shares were dematerialised or rematerialised in the March 2025 quarter, with over 99.9999% of shares already in demat form. 

Potentials: 

Vodafone Idea is working hard to fix its problems and get more customers. It plans to improve its 4G network so people can enjoy faster internet and fewer call drops. The company also wants to launch 5G services, but it needs a lot of money to do that. Since Vodafone Idea has a huge debt, it will ask investors for money and take loans to pay what it owes. 

To stop customers from leaving, Vodafone Idea will offer better recharge plans and discounts and improve network quality. It will also expand its services for businesses, offering things like cloud storage, security solutions, and IoT (smart technology) services. The Indian government now owns a big part of Vodafone Idea and might help the company with its financial troubles. 

Vodafone Idea will focus on villages and small towns by offering cheaper mobile plans to attract more users. The company must raise enough money, keep its customers happy, and launch 5G soon if it wants to survive and compete with Reliance Jio and Airtel. 

Analyst Insights: 

  • Market capitalisation: ₹ 51,332 Cr. 
  • Current Price:  ₹ 7.19 
  • 52-Week High/Low: ₹ 19.2 / 6.60 
  • Dividend Yield: 0.00% 
  • Return on Capital Employed (ROCE): -3.61% 

Vodafone Idea has been consistently posting losses, with a net loss of ₹6,609 Cr in Q3 FY24 and negative EPS of ₹-0.95. The company holds a massive debt burden of over ₹2.5 lakh crore, and its book value stands at ₹-13.7, reflecting severe erosion of shareholder equity. While operating margins have improved to 42% and there has been a slight promoter holding increase of 1.48% in the recent quarter, the overall financial health remains weak — with negative profit growth (-56% over 5 years), low sales growth (3%), and negative ROCE (-3.61%). Compared to peers like Bharti Airtel, which are profitable and stable, Vodafone Idea remains a high-risk investment with no clear visibility of turnaround, making it unsuitable for long-term investors. 

Vodafone Idea Ltd
Vodafone Idea Seeks Government Aid: Requests More Dues to Be Converted into Equity

Business and Industry Overview: 

Vodafone Group Plc is a multinational telecom firm based in the United Kingdom. Its global headquarters and registered office are located in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It predominantly operates services in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. As of January 2025, Vodafone owns and operates networks in 15 countries, with partner networks in 46 further countries. Its Vodafone Global Enterprise division provides telecommunications and IT services to corporate clients in 150 countries. Vodafone has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The company has a secondary listing on the NASDAQ as American depositary receipts (ADRs). 

India has one of the largest telecom markets in the world, with 1.2 billion telephone subscribers as of May 2024. The rural telecom sector is also growing, with 59.59% of rural areas now having phone connections. Mobile data usage has increased by more than 10 times in recent years. In FY18, total wireless data usage was 4,206 petabytes, which increased to 47,629 petabytes in Q2 FY24. India is also one of the biggest consumers of data in the world. As per TRAI, the average data usage per user was only 61 MB per month in 2014, but in December 2023, it reached 19.47 GB per month. 

There are many opportunities in the telecom sector. By 2026, India will have 350 million 5G users, which will be 27% of all mobile users. The country is also increasing its mobile phone exports. In FY24, exports of mobile phones grew by 42%, reaching $15.6 billion. The demand for skilled workers is also increasing. By 2025, India will need around 22 million workers in fields like 5G technology, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and cloud computing. India is also leading in internet usage worldwide. The country ranks 2nd in international mobile broadband internet traffic and international internet bandwidth. 

Vodafone India is the Indian subsidiary of the UK-based Vodafone Group. It provides telecommunications services in India and has its operational head office in Mumbai. The Vodafone Idea network has approximately 375 million subscribers and is the third-largest mobile telecommunications network in India. 

Currently, India is the world’s second-largest telecommunications market, with a total telephone subscriber base standing at 1,203.69 million and having registered strong growth in the last decade. The Indian mobile economy is growing rapidly and will contribute to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to a report prepared by the GSM Association (GSMA) in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Vodafone Idea is one of the dominant players in the market, with an 18.19% market share.  

Latest Stock News: 

The Indian government plans to remove a fee called Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) for telecom companies. This fee is a percentage of their earnings. It increases the cost for companies. Removing this fee will help telecom companies save money. They can use the saved money to expand 5G services and improve networks.   

Right now, telecom companies pay SUC at a rate of 3-4% of their earnings. They also pay an 8% license fee to the government. This license fee includes a 5% payment to a government fund for telecom services. In June 2022, the government removed SUC for airwaves bought after September 15, 2021. But companies that purchased airwaves before 2021 still had to pay this fee. Now, the government is planning to remove this fee for them as well. This will give telecom companies relief worth thousands of crores.   

Vodafone Idea will get the biggest benefit. The company has a huge debt of over ₹2 lakh crore. With this waiver, Vodafone Idea may save around ₹8,000 crore. This will help the company manage its financial problems. The government believes that telecom companies already paid a fair price for airwaves in past auctions. So, charging an extra fee is not needed. The government may approve this decision soon. This will help telecom companies lower their costs. It will also allow them to improve services for customers. 

Vodafone Idea Ltd.’s stock has declined 3.67% today, closing at ₹7.34, and remains significantly below its 52-week high of ₹19.15. Despite the recent SUC waiver, financial concerns persist with ₹2.5 lakh crore debt, Q3 losses of ₹6,986 crore, and continued subscriber attrition. The stock has seen a 43% YoY drop, reflecting weak investor confidence. While the trading volume remains high at 103 million shares, the lack of a clear roadmap for fundraising and 5G expansion limits long-term upside.  

Potentials: 

Vodafone Idea is working hard to fix its problems and get more customers. It plans to improve its 4G network so people can enjoy faster internet and fewer call drops. The company also wants to launch 5G services, but it needs a lot of money to do that. Since Vodafone Idea has a huge debt, it will ask investors for money and take loans to pay what it owes. 

To stop customers from leaving, Vodafone Idea will offer better recharge plans and discounts and improve network quality. It will also expand its services for businesses, offering things like cloud storage, security solutions, and IoT (smart technology) services. The Indian government now owns a big part of Vodafone Idea and might help the company with its financial troubles. 

Vodafone Idea will focus on villages and small towns by offering cheaper mobile plans to attract more users. The company must raise enough money, keep its customers happy, and launch 5G soon if it wants to survive and compete with Reliance Jio and Airtel. 

Analyst Insights: 

  • Market capitalisation:₹ 52,402 Cr. 
  • Current Price:₹ 7.34 
  • 52-Week High/Low: ₹ 19.2 / 6.60 
  • Dividend Yield: 0.00% 
  • Return on Capital Employed (ROCE): -3.61% 

The recent SUC (Spectrum Usage Charges) waiver provides some relief to Vodafone Idea Ltd., reducing its cost burden and improving operational cash flow. However, the company still faces a massive debt of ₹2.5 lakh crore, persistent losses (₹6,986 crore in Q3 FY24), and negative book value (-₹13.7 per share). While the SUC waiver slightly eases financial pressure, VIL’s weak revenue growth (2.83% CAGR over five years), declining subscriber base, and intense competition from Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel limit upside potential. The stock has dropped 43% YoY, and promoter holding has declined to 33.2%, indicating weak confidence. Given these mixed signals, it’s better to sell or hold a little longer to see the market reaction, waiting for further clarity on fundraising and 5G rollout before making a decisive call. 

Vodafone Idea Ltd
Vodafone Idea Faces DoT Notice for Missing ₹6,091 Crore Bank Guarantee Deadline

Business and Industry Overview: 

Vodafone Group Plc is a multinational telecom firm based in the United Kingdom. Its global headquarters and registered office are located in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It predominantly operates services in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. As of January 2025, Vodafone owns and operates networks in 15 countries, with partner networks in 46 further countries. Its Vodafone Global Enterprise division provides telecommunications and IT services to corporate clients in 150 countries. Vodafone has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The company has a secondary listing on the NASDAQ as American depositary receipts (ADRs). 

Vodafone India is the Indian subsidiary of the UK-based Vodafone Group. It provides telecommunications services in India and has its operational head office in Mumbai. The Vodafone Idea network has approximately 375 million subscribers and is the third-largest mobile telecommunications network in India. 

Currently, India is the world’s second-largest telecommunications market, with a total telephone subscriber base standing at 1,203.69 million and having registered strong growth in the last decade. The Indian mobile economy is growing rapidly and will contribute to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to a report prepared by the GSM Association (GSMA) in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Vodafone Idea is one of the dominant players in the market, with an 18.19% market share.  

Latest Stock News: 

Vodafone Idea’s share price dropped 5% after the company missed the Rs 6,091 crore bank guarantee deadline. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked Vi to either submit a bank guarantee or pay Rs 5,493 crore in cash by March 10 for its 2015 spectrum auction dues. This comes after the DoT waived Rs 24,800 crore in bank guarantees for previous spectrum auctions but did not extend the waiver for 2015 dues. 

Adding to its troubles, Motilal Oswal downgraded Vodafone Idea’s stock to ‘Sell’ from ‘Neutral’ and cut its target price to Rs 5, citing declining market share, subscriber losses, and weaker customer engagement. The brokerage also lowered Vi’s EBITDA estimates by 7%-8% for FY26 -27 due to lower revenue per user. 

In Q3 FY25, Vodafone Idea reported a net loss of Rs 6,609.3 crore, improving slightly from Rs 7,175.9 crore in the previous quarter. However, revenue rose 1.7% quarter-on-quarter to Rs 11,117.3 crore, and average revenue per user (ARPU) increased to Rs 173 from Rs 166. Despite this, Vi continues to face severe financial and operational challenges, and investors are closely watching how the company will manage its growing debt and market competition. 

Vodafone Idea is struggling because many people are switching to other telecom companies. In December 2024, the company lost 1.7 million customers, while Reliance Jio gained 3.9 million new users, and Airtel added 1 million. As of December 31, 2024, Jio had the most subscribers (476.58 million), followed by Airtel (289.31 million) and Vodafone Idea (126.38 million). 

Jio also leads in broadband services with 50.43% of the market, while Airtel holds 30.62%, and Vodafone Idea controls only 13.37%. Because fewer people are using Vodafone Idea’s services, its stock price dropped more than 6% in one day. Over the past year, the stock fell 47%, and from its highest price of ₹19.15 in June 2024, it has dropped 64% to ₹6.87. 

Vodafone Idea is facing tough competition from Jio and Airtel, which keep growing, while Vodafone Idea keeps losing customers. The company needs to fix its problems, attract more users, and improve its financial situation to survive in the telecom market. 

Potentials: 

Vodafone Idea is working hard to fix its problems and get more customers. It plans to improve its 4G network so people can enjoy faster internet and fewer call drops. The company also wants to launch 5G services, but it needs a lot of money to do that. Since Vodafone Idea has a huge debt, it will ask investors for money and take loans to pay what it owes. 

To stop customers from leaving, Vodafone Idea will offer better recharge plans and discounts and improve network quality. It will also expand its services for businesses, offering things like cloud storage, security solutions, and IoT (smart technology) services. The Indian government now owns a big part of Vodafone Idea and might help the company with its financial troubles. 

Vodafone Idea will focus on villages and small towns by offering cheaper mobile plans to attract more users. The company must raise enough money, keep its customers happy, and launch 5G soon if it wants to survive and compete with Reliance Jio and Airtel. 

Analyst Insights: 

  • Market capitalisation: ₹ 50,546 Cr. 
  • Current Price: ₹ 7.08 
  • 52-Week High/Low:₹ 19.2 / 6.60 
  • Dividend Yield: 0.00 % 
  • Return on Capital Employed (ROCE): -3.61 % 

Vodafone Idea is in big financial trouble. It is losing money every quarter (-₹6,986 Cr. in Q3 FY24) and has a huge debt (₹2,50,167 Cr.). The company’s sales growth is very slow (2.83% in 5 years). It earns less per customer than Airtel and Jio. Even with price hikes, its market share is shrinking. Interest costs are high, and investors are losing confidence (promoter holding fell by 33.2% in 3 years). The company has no profits, no dividends, and a negative book value (-₹13.7). Due to weak financials and tough competition, it’s better to SELL. 

Vodafone Idea Ltd.
Vodafone Idea Q3 Results: 4% Revenue Growth, ₹6,609 Crore Loss, ARPU at ₹173

Business and Industry Overview: 

Vodafone Group Plc is a multinational telecom firm based in the United Kingdom. Its global headquarters and registered office are located in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It predominantly operates services in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. As of January 2025, Vodafone owns and operates networks in 15 countries, with partner networks in 46 further countries. Its Vodafone Global Enterprise division provides telecommunications and IT services to corporate clients in 150 countries. Vodafone has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The company has a secondary listing on the NASDAQ as American depositary receipts (ADRs). 

Vodafone India is the Indian subsidiary of the UK-based Vodafone Group. It provides telecommunications services in India and has its operational head office in Mumbai. The Vodafone Idea network has approximately 375 million subscribers and is the third-largest mobile telecommunications network in India. 

Currently, India is the world’s second-largest telecommunications market, with a total telephone subscriber base standing at 1,203.69 million and having registered strong growth in the last decade. The Indian mobile economy is growing rapidly and will contribute to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to a report prepared by the GSM Association (GSMA) in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Vodafone Idea is one of the dominant players in the market with 18.19% market share.  

Latest Stock News: 

Telecom giant Vodafone Idea’s consolidated net loss narrowed to ₹6,609 crore in the quarter ended December 2024, down from ₹6,986 crore in the same period last year. The company’s revenue from operations for Q3FY25 stood at ₹11,117 crore, reflecting a 4% rise Vodafone Idea reported a reduction in its consolidated net loss for the December quarter to₹6,609 crore, compared to ₹6,986 crore in the same period last year.  

Average revenue per user (ARPU), a key metric for all telecoms, has increased sequentially by 4.7% to₹173 in Q3 FY25, compared to₹166 in the September quarter. 

Segmental information: 

Vodafone operates in several business segments, primarily categorized into: 

1. Consumer Segment: It provides mobile and fixed-line telecommunications services to individual customers. It also offers broadband, TV, and digital services. 

2. Vodafone Business (enterprise segment): Vodafone serves corporate clients, small businesses, and public-sector organizations. It also offers connectivity services (mobile, fixed, IoT, 5G), cloud and security solutions, unified communications, and managed services. Multinational corporations, SMEs, and IoT services are the major revenue contributors. 

3. Vodafone Towers (Vantage Towers): Vodafone’s tower infrastructure in Europe is managed by Vantage Towers. It also focuses on leasing tower space to other telecom operators. 

4. Financial & Digital Services: This includes M-Pesa (an African-based mobile money service), digital payments, insurance, and fintech solutions. 

Subsidiaries: 

  1. Vodafone Idea Telecom Infrastructure Limited (VITIL): It provides passive infrastructure services, including renting out fiber networks to telecommunication service providers. 
  1. Vodafone Idea Business Services Limited (VIBSL): It acts as an outsourcing hub for backend IT support, data center operations, and hosting services for the company and its subsidiaries. Also holds an Other Service Provider (OSP) license. 
  1. You Broadband India Limited (YBIL): provides high-speed broadband internet access through cable networks. 
  1. Vodafone Idea Communication Systems Limited (VICSL) : It trades mobile handsets, data cards, and related accessories and services. 
  1. Vodafone Idea Shared Services Limited (VISSL): It functions as an outsourcing hub for finance and accounts, human resources, supply chain management, credit and collection support, customer support, and IT needs for data consolidation and backend support for the company and its subsidiaries. 
  1. Vodafone Idea Technology Solutions Limited (VITSL): It provides technology, software, hardware, value-added services (VAS), application software, content, and related products and services. It also offers data center-related services and IT solutions, including e-SIMs. 
  1. Vodafone Idea Manpower Services Limited (VIMSL): It provides manpower services to the company. 
  1. Vodafone Foundation (VF): A Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013, serving as an implementing agency for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities for the company, its subsidiaries, associates, joint ventures, and promoter group companies. 

Joint Venture: 

  1. FireFly Networks Limited: A joint venture with Bharti Airtel, focusing on deploying Wi-Fi solutions for businesses, smart cities, and retail spaces. 

Associate Company: 

  1. Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Limited: A payments bank offering digital banking services such as mobile wallets, savings accounts, and online transactions. Operations have been discontinued due to regulatory and business challenges. 

Q3 Highlights: 

  • Net Loss down to ₹6,609.3 crore versus loss of ₹7,175.9 crore, QoQ 
  • Revenue up 1.7% at  ₹11,117.3 crore versus ₹10,932.2 crore, QoQ 
  • Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) up at ₹173 versus ₹166, QoQ 
  • EBITDA up 3.6% at ₹4,712.4 crore versus ₹4,549.8 crore, QoQ 
  • Margin at 42.4% versus 41.6%, QoQ 
  • Vodafone Idea net loss narrows to ₹6,609 crore, revenue rises 4% YoY; ARPU up at ₹173 
  • Total subscriber base at 199.8 million 

Financial Summary: 

Amount in ₹ Cr Q3 FY24 Q3 FY25 FY23 FY24 
Revenue 10,673.00 11,117.00 42,177 42,652 
Expenses 6,324 6,405 25,424 25,580 
EBITDA 5130 4,712.40 17,162.00 17,106.00 
OPM 41% 42% 40% 40% 
Other Income 780 250 354 917 
Net Profit -6,986.00 -6,609.00 -29,301 -31,238 
NPM -65.45 -59.45 -69.47 -73.24 
EPS -1.44 -0.95 -6.02 -6.23 
Kotak Warns on Investor Greed: Vodafone Idea and PSU Stocks at Risk Amid Market Correction Fears

About Vodafone idea
Vodafone Idea Ltd. (VIL), formed from the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular, is a key player in India’s telecom sector. Despite offering extensive voice and data services across 2G, 3G, and 4G platforms, the company faces substantial financial challenges including a heavy debt burden and stiff competition. VIL is committed to network modernization and has initiated strategic partnerships to boost its 5G capabilities. However, the financial constraints continue to weigh heavily on its profitability and market standing.

Company Overview

  • Founded: 1995 (merger in 2018)
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, India
  • CEO: Akshaya Moondra
  • Employees: 16,080
  • Industry: Wireless Telecommunications

VIL offers prepaid, postpaid, voice, and data services. It is actively pursuing opportunities in enterprise solutions, digital services, and 5G infrastructure to diversify its revenue streams and improve its market position.

Key Financial Metrics

  • Market Capitalization: ₹709.54 billion INR
  • Revenue (FY 2023): ₹425.77 billion INR
  • Net Income (FY 2023): -₹312.38 billion INR
  • Basic EPS (TTM): -₹5.83 INR
  • Debt: ₹2.5 trillion INR
  • Beta (1Y): 1.34
  • Current Price: ₹9.87 INR (YTD Decline: -39.07%)
  • 52-Week Range: ₹4.25 – ₹12.20 INR

VIL’s financial health remains a concern, with continued losses and an extremely high debt burden, which limits its operational flexibility and ability to invest in growth. The negative earnings per share (EPS) indicate that traditional valuation metrics, such as the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, are not applicable for VIL.

Market Challenges
VIL operates in an increasingly competitive telecom market dominated by strong players such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. The company has struggled to maintain profitability, compounded by the regulatory burdens and the financial strain of legacy AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) dues.

Key Challenges:

  • High Debt: VIL’s debt exceeds ₹2.5 trillion INR, putting significant pressure on cash flow and limiting its ability to invest in network expansion.
  • Losses: The company has reported large negative earnings for several years, impacted by high finance costs and operating expenses.
  • Competition: With Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel dominating the market, VIL’s market share has been eroding, making it difficult to sustain revenue growth. Opportunities
    Despite these challenges, Vodafone Idea is pursuing strategies to stabilize and potentially improve its market position. These include:
  • ARPU Growth: VIL can increase its Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) through premium services, improved customer experiences, and strategic pricing.
  • 5G Rollout: The company’s recent strategic partnerships, including those aimed at accelerating its 5G infrastructure development, are expected to drive network modernization and enhance service offerings.
  • Enterprise Solutions and Cloud Services: Vodafone Idea is actively seeking to diversify its revenue streams by expanding into enterprise digital solutions and cloud services.

Recent Performance & Projections
In the latest quarter (Q2 2024), Vodafone Idea reported revenue of ₹105.08 billion INR, slightly below market expectations. The EPS for the quarter was -0.95 INR, better than analysts’ estimate of -1.61 INR, reflecting a modest improvement. However, these figures underscore the continued struggle with profitability.

  • Next Quarter Estimates:
  • Revenue: ₹113.41 billion INR
  • EPS: -0.92 INR

While the revenue outlook shows some promise of growth, ongoing negative EPS signals that the company remains far from achieving profitability.


Investment Considerations
Given VIL’s significant financial challenges, the stock is viewed as speculative. Investors should be cautious, particularly given the company’s:

  • Negative Net Income: Persistent losses over several years make VIL a risky investment, particularly for those seeking returns from dividends or capital gains.
  • Debt: The company’s massive debt load creates significant financial risk, making any turnaround uncertain.
  • Market Competition: VIL’s position in the telecom market continues to be threatened by better-capitalized competitors, posing long-term sustainability challenges. Analyst Consensus
    The outlook from analysts is mixed. While some recommend a buy for short-term gains, others advocate caution or a hold due to the company’s financial instability and high risk. Recovery will largely depend on successful execution of its 5G strategy, debt management, and capturing higher ARPU.

Conclusion: A High-Risk, Speculative Bet
Vodafone Idea’s current financial condition, characterized by high debt, persistent losses, and stiff competition, makes it risky for investors. While there is potential for short-term gains, particularly as the company focuses on ARPU growth and 5G partnerships, long-term investors should be prepared for volatility and the uncertainty of VIL’s turnaround efforts.

In its latest market note, Kotak Institutional Equities emphasizes the importance of caution in the current market, as inflated valuations across the board — including PSUs and stocks like VIL — pose significant risks. Investors are advised to carefully weigh potential rewards against risks in such stocks, where financial instability could lead to unfavorable outcomes during market corrections.