BlackRock, CPPIB Among Anchor Bids for $1.1 Billion Paytm Shares

Bidding for Paytm's anchor round is due to close Nov. 3, reports Bloomberg.

BlackRock Inc., Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and sovereign wealth funds such as that of Singapore are among bidders for the $1.1 billion of shares Paytm is seeking to sell to institutional investors as part of its initial public offering, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The firm, formally known as One97 Communications Ltd., is looking to sell some 82.5 billion rupees ($1.1 billion) of shares -- almost half its 183 billion-rupee IPO -- to more than 50 so-called anchor investors, the person said, asking not to be identified as the details are private. This round is due to close Nov. 3 and details may change, the person added.

A representative for Paytm declined to comment.

The size of the anchor book -- in line with the size of the IPO -- would be the largest ever in India so far. A blistering rally in the nation’s stock market has encouraged startups to choose to list on the public markets, offering early investors a chance to cash in some gains and ushering a new set of long-term investors who are betting on India’s economic prospects and demographic fundamentals.

Paytm’s IPO will be priced in the range of 2,080-2,150 rupees a share and is due to run Nov. 8-10 for public subscription. The digital payments company is aiming for a mid-November listing. 

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

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