Paytm shares fall for 3rd day, hit lower circuit limit

RBI's order, which has far-reaching consequences for how India's most popular digital payments app Paytm operates, led to a 20 per cent drop in the stock - its daily maximum at that time - on Thursday and Friday.

New Delhi: Shares of One97 Communications Ltd, which owns Paytm brand, fell by another 10 per cent to hit its lower circuit limit, as investors continued to dump the stock following the RBI's crackdown.

The stock tanked 10 per cent to Rs 438.35 - its lowest trading permissible limit for the day - on the BSE.

It plummeted 9.99 per cent to hit its lower circuit limit of Rs 438.50 on the NSE.

In three days, the stock has tumbled over 42 per cent, wiping out Rs 20,471.25 crore, from its market valuation.

The regulator last week ordered Paytm Payments Bank Ltd, a restricted bank that can take deposits but cannot lend, to not take any further deposits or conduct credit transactions or carry out top-ups on any customers accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, cards for paying road tolls after February 29.

Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) is an associate of One97 Communications Limited (OCL).

One97 Communications holds 49 per cent of the paid-up share capital (directly and through its subsidiary) of PPBL. Vijay Shekhar Sharma has a 51 per cent stake in the bank.

While users have the option to switch to other wallets, and FASTag services etc. being provided by other vendors, Paytm management has said that PPBL is in discussion with RBI to comply with their direction for continuing the business.

Paytm sees an impact of Rs 300-500 crore on its annual operational profit.