Vodafone Group settles Rs 11,650 crore debt, releases shares in Vodafone Idea

NEW DELHI: Vodafone Group has settled outstanding debts of approximately Rs 11,650 crore (equivalent to 109 million pounds), which was secured against its Vodafone Idea shares, as detailed in a regulatory filing. The Group had previously used nearly its entire shareholding in VIL as collateral for this debt.
The debt arrangement was structured through HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) for funds raised by Vodafone Group's entities in Mauritius and India.
"On 27 December 2024, HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited acting as the security trustee for the lenders has released the pledges pursuant to repayment of the outstanding dues owed to the lenders by the Vodafone Promoter Shareholders. Consequently, the indirect encumbrance on 15,720,826,860 equity shares of the target company held by the Vodafone Promoter Shareholders representing 22.56 per cent of the equity share capital of the target company on a fully diluted basis has been released," the filing said.
Based on Vodafone Idea's closing share price of Rs 7.41 on Friday, these released shares are valued at approximately Rs 11,649 crore.
The current ownership structure shows Vodafone Group maintaining a 22.56 per cent stake, while Aditya Birla Group holds 14.76 per cent. The government remains the largest shareholder with a 23.15 per cent stake as of September 30, 2024.