Bharti Airtel share price hits fresh 52-week high despite Supreme Court's AGR verdict

Bharti Airtel share price hit its fresh 52-week high in early trade today after data from telecom regulator TRAI revealed the telco added 16 lakh subscribers in November. The stock rose despite Supreme Court rejecting review petition of Bharti Airtel challenging the apex court's judgement in the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) case.

Share price of Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel rose 5.19% to hit a fresh 52-week high of Rs 498.65 against previous close of Rs 474.05 on BSE. The large cap stock has gained 5% in the last two days. Airtel share price has gained 61.33% during the last one year. 4.54 lakh shares changed hands amounting to turnover of Rs 22.28 crore on BSE.  Market cap of Bharti Airtel rose to Rs 2.52 lakh crore on BSE.

20 of 25 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or 'outperform', three "hold" and two "underperform" , according to analysts' recommendations tracked by Reuters. Vodafone Idea lost maximum 3.6 crore wireless subscribers in November which led to its stock falling up to 39.30% to Rs 3.66 against previous close of Rs 6.03 on BSE.  The AGR verdict also led to negative sentiment around the stock. There were only sellers, no buyers for the Vodafone Idea stock in early trade.

Also read: Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea shares rise up to 5% ahead of SC verdict on AGR dues

On Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed review petitions challenging the apex court's  judgement in the AGR case.  Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have to pay pending AGR dues to the Department of Telecommunications by January 23.

Telecom companies, which are staring at a payout of Rs 93,000 crore, had sought relief earlier this month. With the payment deadline looming close, telecom players have expressed their inability to pay the pending AGR dues.

Vodafone Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has said the telco would shut shop without the government's help. Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal has also asked the government to be sympathetic towards telcos. The reason mentioned by both companies is heavy losses incurred by them since the entry of Reliance Jio.

Vodafone Idea is struggling with losses for the past three years that ballooned to Rs 50,922 crore in the September quarter of FY20 - the highest quarterly loss in India's corporate history - as it had to make significant provisions for the AGR dues. Airtel reported record losses to the tune of Rs 22,830 crore in the same quarter.

By Aseem Thapliyal