Vodafone Idea Shares Rise 1.64% to ₹11.79 Amid Government Relief Package and Analyst Caution
Vodafone Idea shares gained 1.64% to ₹11.79 on Friday despite analyst caution about the telecom operator's financial health. The government approved a relief package freezing ₹87,695 crore AGR dues with five-year interest-free moratorium and repayment deferred to FY32-41, though no principal haircut was provided. Major brokerages maintained cautious ratings, with Emkay Global setting \"Sell\" at ₹6 and Axis Capital maintaining \"Reduce\" at ₹9.45, citing extremely high leverage and insufficient EBITDA of ₹8.98 billion to meet capex and debt obligations.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Vodafone Idea shares rose 1.64% to ₹11.79 on Friday afternoon, continuing their recovery from recent sharp selloffs despite ongoing analyst concerns about the telecom operator's financial health. The stock hit its 52-week high of ₹12.80 on 31st December, 2025, reflecting the volatile trading pattern that has characterized the company's recent performance.
Government Relief Package Details
The Union Cabinet recently approved a significant relief package for Vodafone Idea, freezing the company's ₹87,695 crore AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) dues. The package includes repayment deferment to FY32-41 over a five-year interest-free moratorium, providing temporary breathing room for the financially stressed telecom operator.
| Relief Package Components: | Details |
|---|---|
| Total AGR Dues Frozen: | ₹87,695 crore |
| Repayment Period: | FY32-41 |
| Moratorium Duration: | 5 years (interest-free) |
| Principal Haircut: | None provided |
However, contrary to market expectations of at least a 50% waiver, no principal haircut was provided on the pending AGR liabilities, limiting the relief's impact on the company's overall debt burden.
Analyst Ratings and Financial Concerns
Despite the government relief measures, major brokerages maintained cautious stances on Vodafone Idea's prospects. Emkay Global maintained its "Sell" rating with a target price of ₹6, highlighting the company's extremely high leverage as a primary concern.
| Brokerage Ratings: | Rating | Target Price |
|---|---|---|
| Emkay Global: | Sell | ₹6.00 |
| Axis Capital: | Reduce | ₹9.45 |
| SBI Securities: | Neutral (short-term) | Not specified |
Emkay analysts noted that Vodafone Idea's pre-IndAS116 annualised EBITDA stands at just ₹8.98 billion, representing merely 6.7% of its spectrum debt. The company maintains a cash balance of ₹30.80 billion as of Q2FY26, while management has guided for capex spending of ₹75-80 billion for FY26.
Debt Obligations and Future Challenges
The company faces substantial financial pressures beyond the AGR dues. Vodafone Idea has ₹1.20 trillion in deferred spectrum payment obligations scheduled between FY26 and FY44, creating long-term repayment challenges.
| Key Financial Metrics: | Amount/Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-IndAS116 EBITDA (annualised): | ₹8.98 billion |
| Cash Balance (Q2FY26): | ₹30.80 billion |
| Guided Capex (FY26): | ₹75-80 billion |
| Deferred Spectrum Payments: | ₹1.20 trillion (FY26-FY44) |
Emkay analysts stated that current EBITDA levels are insufficient to meet capex requirements or spectrum debt repayment obligations, emphasizing that further capital infusion will be crucial for the company's long-term sustainability.
Market Activity and Future Outlook
Trading volumes were notably heavy, with 11,854 lakh shares changing hands during the session. However, delivery stood at just 20.97%, indicating significant speculative interest rather than long-term investment positioning.
The Department of Telecom plans to form a committee to reassess AGR dues within 6-8 months, potentially offering scope for future liability reduction. This development could provide additional relief depending on the committee's findings and recommendations.
Historical Stock Returns for Vodafone Idea
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -1.12% | -4.98% | +6.11% | +55.71% | +45.43% | -3.29% |
















































