This post has already been read 104 times!

Vodafone Idea Share Price Today: Why VI Stock Remains Volatile in 2025
₹12.02 | +0.01 (+0.08%) | Volume: 60.62 Cr Shares
📊 52W High: ₹12.22 | 52W Low: ₹6.12 | Market Cap: ₹1,30,120 Cr
Every day thousands of investors search for “Vodafone Idea share price”, “VI share price today”, and “why Idea share is falling”. This isn’t just a stock – it’s India’s biggest telecom turnaround story playing out in real-time. From massive debt mountains to government interventions, Vodafone Idea Ltd (VI) keeps traders glued to screens.
Whether you’re a CMA student analyzing distressed assets, a retail investor eyeing multibagger potential, or a portfolio manager tracking telecom sector rotation – this deep dive covers everything. Let’s break down the current price action, historical journey, financial reality, competitive pressures, and what lies ahead for this battered giant.
🔴 LIVE IDEA Price on NSE India
📈 LIVE on BSE India
Current Trading Snapshot: VI Share Price Metrics
The stock trades around ₹12 levels after hitting 52-week highs near ₹12.22 just days ago. Daily volumes consistently cross 60 crore shares – that’s retail frenzy despite fundamental challenges. From December lows around ₹8, the stock doubled on AGR relief hopes before profit booking kicked in.
| 📊 Trading Parameter | Current Value | Peer Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Current Price (NSE) | ₹12.02 | Airtel: ₹1,850+ |
| Today’s Change | +0.01 (0.08%) | Market: +0.5% |
| Day Range | ₹11.99 – ₹12.22 | Volatile: 2% daily swing |
| Volume | 60.62 Cr shares | 3x average |
| Market Capitalization | ₹1,30,120 Cr | Airtel: ₹11 Lakh Cr |
| 52-Week Range | ₹6.12 – ₹12.22 | 100% rally from lows |
| P/E Ratio | N/A (Loss making) | Airtel: 75x |
| Debt/Equity | 3.2x | Airtel: 0.8x |
Technical Levels to Watch
Support building at ₹11.50-₹11.80 zone where previous corrections found buyers. Resistance at ₹12.50 (recent highs) and psychological ₹15. RSI shows overbought conditions after 8% two-day rally, suggesting near-term consolidation likely.
Why Vodafone Idea Share Price Falls Repeatedly?
Investors typing “why Idea share is falling today” get the same answer: debt uncertainty. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of pressure points:
Step 1: Massive AGR Debt Time Bomb
₹87,695 crore Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues represent 67% of VI’s total debt. Cabinet’s December 31 decision froze payments for 5 years (payable FY32-41), sparking initial rally. But no waiver came – investors wanted 50% haircut that never materialized.
Step 2: ₹2.4 Lakh Crore Total Debt Mountain
VI’s balance sheet buckles under:
- ₹87,695 Cr AGR dues
- ₹70,000 Cr spectrum liabilities
- ₹45,000 Cr bank loans
- ₹35,000 Cr vendor dues
Compare this to Airtel’s ₹1.2 lakh Cr (half the size, twice the revenue).
Step 3: Subscriber Erosion vs Giants
VI’s 127.78 million subscribers trail:
| Operator | Wireless Subscribers (Mn) | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reliance Jio | 500+ | 40.5% |
| Bharti Airtel | 400+ | 33.5% |
| Vodafone Idea | 127.78 | 10.9% |
Step 4: ARPU Lag Despite Tariff Hikes
VI’s ₹145 ARPU lags peers’ ₹200+. July 2024 tariff hikes helped (2.1% QoQ growth), but entry-level plan changes eroded some gains. 4G subscriber mix improving slowly.
Step 5: Fundraising Stumbles
₹5,000 Cr debt raise via subsidiary trimmed due to high costs. Bank loans stalled pending AGR clarity. Equity dilution fears (FPO rumors) cap upside.
December 2025: Vodafone Idea News Timeline
The last month delivered drama:
Dec 31: Cabinet AGR Decision
Government freezes ₹87,695 Cr dues at current levels, payable over 10 years from FY32. Stock jumps 8% over 2 days, analysts raise targets. VI clarifies “no formal communication,” triggering pullback.
Dec 27: Debt Issue Progress
Subsidiary cuts bond size targeting December completion. Cheaper bank funding preferred if AGR terms finalize.
Nov Q3 Results Reaction
Revenue ₹10,673 Cr (+0.6% YoY), loss narrows to ₹6,989 Cr. ARPU hits ₹145 (+7.4% YoY). Market shrugs – debt fears dominate.
| News Event | Date | Stock Reaction | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet AGR Freeze | Dec 31 | +8% (2 days) | 5-year moratorium, no waiver |
| Q3 FY26 Results | Nov 2025 | Flat | ARPU growth positive |
| Debt Raise Update | Nov 27 | -2% | Bond size trimmed |
| Tariff Hike Impact | Oct 2025 | +15% | ARPU trajectory improves |
Deep Financial Analysis: Reading VI’s Numbers
Step-by-step guide to decode quarterly results:
Step 1: Revenue Breakdown
Q3 FY26: ₹10,673 Cr total revenue
- Wireless: 94% (₹10,000+ Cr)
- Enterprise: 5% (stable)
- Others: 1%
Growth drivers: 4G subscriber addition + tariff realization.
Step 2: Profitability Metrics
| Quarter | Revenue ₹Cr | EBITDA ₹Cr | Margin | Net Loss ₹Cr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 FY26 | 10,673 | 3,750 | 35.1% | 6,989 |
| Q2 FY26 | 11,022 | 3,750 | 34.0% | 5,524 |
| Q3 FY25 | 10,605 | 3,400 | 32.1% | 6,995 |
| 9M FY26 | 33,000+ | 11,200 | 34% | 19,000+ |
Step 3: Cash Flow Reality Check
Operating Cash Flow: Positive ₹8,441 Cr (FY25) – operations generate cash.
Investing Cash Flow: -₹15,284 Cr (4G capex).
Financing Cash Flow: +₹7,000 Cr (debt rollovers).
Step 4: Balance Sheet Red Flags
- Total Borrowings: ₹2,15,000 Cr
- Current Liabilities: ₹75,000 Cr
- Net Worth: Negative ₹1,00,000 Cr+
- Cash Balance: ₹3,500 Cr (low runway)
VI vs Peers: Brutal Reality Check
Numbers don’t lie. Here’s the competitive gap:
| Metric | Vodafone Idea | Bharti Airtel | Reliance Jio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap ₹ Cr | 1,30,000 | 11,00,000 | Non-listed |
| Revenue ₹ Cr (Annual) | 42,000 | 1,50,000 | 1,00,000+ |
| EBITDA Margin | 35% | 57.8% | 50%+ |
| ARPU ₹ | 145 | 210 | 195 |
| Total Debt ₹ Lakh Cr | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 |
| 5G Coverage | Pilot | 80%+ | 99% |
| Free Cash Flow | Negative | ₹30,000 Cr | ₹25,000 Cr |
Historical Share Price Journey: 7-Year Rollercoaster
Post-merger (2018), VI shares crashed 95% from ₹100+ peaks. Key milestones:
2018-2020: Merger Bloodbath
- Aug 2018: Vodafone-Idea merge at ₹100/share
- 2020: Rebrands to VI, shares sub-₹10
- AGR Supreme Court verdict tanks stock 70%
2021-2023: Survival Mode
- ₹5-15 range consolidates
- Govt equity infusion keeps alive
- 4G capex drains cash
2024-2025: Tariff-Led Revival
- Jul 2024: 15-20% tariff hikes spark rally
- From ₹6.12 lows to ₹12.22 highs (100%+)
- Dec 2025: AGR news drives 8% spike
Capex Reality: 4G/5G Investment Dilemma
VI spends ₹7,000-8,000 Cr annually on network:
- 4G sites: 2.5 lakh+ (vs Jio’s 4 lakh+)
- 5G: Pilot launches only
- Vendor dues: ₹35,000 Cr pending
Step-by-Step Capex Analysis
- Current Coverage: 80% districts with 4G
- 5G Spectrum: Minimal holdings, auctions pending
- ROI Challenge: 4G adds subscribers but ARPU premium needed
- Funding Gap: Operations fund 50%, rest debt
Management Strategy: 5-Point Turnaround Plan
VI leadership outlines:
- ARPU Focus: Target ₹170 by FY27 via 4G mix
- Debt Restructuring: ₹20,000 Cr fresh capital needed
- Asset Monetization: Towers, OFC, enterprise sale rumors
- Cost Optimization: ₹5,000 Cr annual savings target
- Enterprise Growth: 5G B2B opportunities
Investment Thesis: Bull vs Bear Case
🐂 Bull Case (₹25+ Target)
| Trigger | Impact |
|---|---|
| 50% AGR waiver | ₹40,000 Cr balance sheet relief |
| ARPU ₹170 | Revenue +25% to ₹52,000 Cr |
| ₹20,000 Cr fundraising | 4G/5G capex accelerates |
| Tower sale ₹15,000 Cr | Debt reduced 10% |
🐻 Bear Case (Sub ₹8)
| Risk | Impact |
|---|---|
| No AGR relief | ₹18,000 Cr annual payments start FY32 |
| Subscriber loss continues | Market share <8% | Network degrades, churn accelerates |
| Competition intensifies | ARPU pressure returns |
CMA Students: Practical Learning Applications
This case study teaches critical concepts:
1. Distressed Asset Valuation
Calculate Enterprise Value using:
EV = Market Cap + Debt - Cash
VI EV = ₹1.3L Cr + ₹2.4L Cr - ₹0.35L Cr = ₹3.35L Cr
EV/EBITDA = 3.35L / 0.15L = 22x (vs Airtel 8x)
2. Free Cash Flow to Equity Model
- FCFF = EBIT(1-t) + Dep – Capex – ΔWC
- FCFE = FCFF – Interest(1-t) + Net Borrowing
- VI FCFE negative = dilution risk
3. Debt Sustainability Ratio
Debt/EBITDA = 2.4L Cr / 0.15L Cr = 16x (unsustainable >4x)
Risk Management Framework for VI Investment
- Position Size: Max 2-3% portfolio
- Stop Loss: ₹10 (17% below current)
- Time Horizon: 18-24 months minimum
- Triggers to Exit: No fundraising by Q1 FY27
- Profit Booking: 50% at ₹18, trail rest
Technical Analysis: Chart Patterns & Levels
Weekly chart shows ascending triangle formation:
- Support: ₹10.50 (200 DMA)
- Resistance: ₹14.50 (gap fill)
- Volume Profile: Highest at ₹11-12
- MACD: Bullish crossover forming
Macro Tailwinds Supporting Recovery
- Digital India: 1.2B mobile users by 2026
- 5G Capex Cycle: $100B industry investment
- Tariff Inevitability: ARPU must rise to ₹200+
- Govt Support: Strategic asset importance
Final Investor Checklist
❌ AVOID if: Debt payments start without relief
📊 WATCH: Q4 ARPU, fundraising closure, 4G adds
Vodafone Idea remains India’s highest-beta telecom bet. Survival probability: 70%. Multibagger potential: 30%. The next 6 months decide if this becomes textbook turnaround or delisting candidate.
