Paytm shares listed at a 9% discount to IPO price on Thursday, disappointing IPO investors amid weak market sentiment. Nearing the closing bell, Paytm shares hit 20% lower circuit to sit at Rs 1,564 per share, down 27.26% from the IPO price of Rs 2,150 apiece. Paytm’s Rs 18,300 crore IPO is the largest IPO ever to hit Dalal Street. The issue witnessed a mixed response from investors as institutional buyers and retail investors oversubscribed their portion while NIIs failed to fully subscribe their portion. More than 1.6 crore equity shares of Paytm moved between investors on the NSE. 

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Analysts had advised investors to exit the stock on listing and wait for better entry opportunities. Largely concerns have been voiced around Paytm’s high valuations. With a market capitalization of Rs 1.26 lakh crore, Paytm is yet to turn profitable, which has been the talking point for analysts. The Ant-Group backed firm is expected to continue to report losses over the next few years.

Also Read: Paytm IPO overpriced, stock may correct; muted listing expected, book gain or loss and exit | Interview

Paytm started as a digital wallet platform, enabling customers to make utility payments and mobile recharge through the application has turned into a payment super-application that offers wealth management, e-commerce, insurance, credit and much more. “As per an RBI internal study, payments banks may be allowed to apply for small finance bank (SFB) licensing, which would enable Paytm to lend on its own balance sheet,” said domestic brokerage firm Motilal Oswal in a report. Payments and financial services contribute around 75% to the company’s total revenues.

Also Read: Paytm listing guide for IPO allottees: Grey market premium dries up, muted opening likely; sell, hold, buy?

The public issue of Paytm was subscribed 1.89 times by investors earlier this month. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) had subscribed to the issue 2.79 times their portion while retail investor subscription was at 1.89 times. Non-Institutional investors (NII) had subscribed to their portion only 0.24 times.