Tech3 | Sebi issues notice to Vijay Shekhar Sharma and Paytm directors; Telegram under Indian Government scanner; and more
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IPO breaches: Sebi issues notice to Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm directors
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IPO breaches: Sebi issues notice to Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm directors
A new chapter in the Paytm saga has unfolded.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued show-cause notices to Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma and board members involved in the company's 2021 IPO.
What's the issue?: SEBI is questioning the accuracy of the IPO documents and whether Paytm complied with promoter norms.
The investigation was triggered by inputs from RBI, which conducted a review of Paytm Payments Bank earlier this year
SEBI contends that Sharma should have been classified as a "promoter" rather than a non-promoter during the IPO.
Despite his direct shareholding being below 10%, his substantial control over the company warranted this classification
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Why does this matter? If Sharma had been a promoter, he would not have been eligible for employee stock options post-IPO.
Additionally, the Paytm directors who endorsed his non-promoter status are also under scrutiny
In response, Paytm said the issue is not new and was disclosed in the latest quarter results. The firm said it is in contact with SEBI and confirms no implication on previous financial results.
Paytm's stock took a hit following the news, dropping 8.88% to a day's low of Rs 505.55 on the NSE
Timing is everything: The probe comes three years after Paytm's listing, raising questions about SEBI's delay in addressing these concerns.
“Sebi knew about the shareholding arrangement ever since the offer document was filed in 2021. Proxy advisory firms also red-flagged the issue,” sources told us.
In other news: PhonePe, a rival to Paytm, has reported a significant 73% increase in revenue, reaching Rs 5,064 crore for FY24, on the back of cost efficiency and product diversification.
The firm had clocked Rs 2,914 crore revenue in the previous fiscal
PhonePe also reported an Adjusted Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 197 crore, a significant improvement from the Rs 738 crore loss incurred in the previous fiscal year.
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Internal Auditor
3 个月Paytm said the issue is not new and was disclosed in the latest quarter results. The firm said it is in contact with SEBI and confirms no implication on previous financial results. This contention is not correct. Normally a prospectus should be transparent with notes on some items in which decision pending or unsettled.. Since any new entity/person without prior knowledge about company acts upon prospectus only. This Sebi activity is correct.
SEBI-Registered Analyst | Stock Market Expert | Helping professionals in building wealth from stock market in long term with my LIFT Framework | Featured in Jagran Business and ET Now Swadesh
3 个月The latest SEBI probe into Paytm’s IPO raises important questions about regulatory compliance and corporate governance. The classification of Vijay Shekhar Sharma as a non-promoter vs. promoter during the IPO could have significant implications for both him and the company. Meanwhile, PhonePe's impressive 73% revenue growth and profitability in FY24 stand in stark contrast to Paytm's current challenges. It's a fascinating moment for India's fintech landscape. There’s a lot to watch here—how SEBI’s findings will influence future IPO regulations and the continued competition between India's fintech giants.