Singtel Sells 1.2% Stake in Bharti Airtel for $1.54 Billion

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel) has successfully divested a 1.2% direct stake in Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel, raising approximately $1.54 billion (₹13,182 crore) through a private placement. The transaction was executed via Singtel’s wholly owned subsidiary, Pastel Ltd.

The shares, totaling 71 million, were sold at ₹1,814 each, representing a modest discount to Airtel’s last traded price. This sale reduces Singtel’s effective stake in Bharti Airtel from 29.5% to 28.3%, while still maintaining its position as one of the company’s key long-term shareholders.

Strategic Portfolio Management

The stake sale is part of Singtel’s broader capital management strategy, aimed at freeing up resources for core business investments in 5G networks, digital services, and regional data infrastructure. Over the past few years, Singtel has been gradually streamlining its portfolio, including selling partial stakes in Airtel Africa and Amobee.

According to the company, this move aligns with its goal to recycle capital and improve shareholder returns, without compromising its support for Airtel’s growth ambitions in India and other markets.

Market Reaction

The market responded promptly to the news. Bharti Airtel’s shares dipped by around 2.6%, while Singtel’s stock saw a 1.1% rise on the Singapore Exchange — a signal of investor confidence in Singtel’s disciplined capital approach.

Looking Ahead

Despite trimming its stake, Singtel continues to be a strategic partner to Bharti Airtel, emphasizing its long-term commitment. The proceeds from this sale are expected to fuel Singtel’s investments in high-growth, next-gen digital technologies, as the group continues transforming into a future-ready telecom and tech leader.