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ADIA sells 2.3% stake in Lenskart for ₹1,960 cr

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has reduced its stake in eyewear retailer Lenskart through a block deal worth ₹1,960 crore, attracting strong interest from both global and domestic institutional investors.

ADIA-backed Platinum Jasmine A 2018 Trust sold 4 crore shares, representing a 2.3% stake in Lenskart, at ₹490 per share. The transaction was executed through open market deals and was subscribed by 19 investors, reflecting continued confidence in the company’s growth prospects.

Among the major buyers were global financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Societe Generale and Citigroup. Domestic investors including SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Kotak Mutual Fund, Mirae Asset Mutual Fund, National Pension System Trust and several insurance companies also participated in the transaction.

Kotak Mahindra Asset Management emerged as the largest buyer in the deal, purchasing around 1.27 crore shares worth approximately ₹626 crore. Institutional demand remained strong despite the large size of the transaction.

Following the stake sale, ADIA’s investment vehicle continues to hold a significant stake in Lenskart. The sale is seen as a partial profit-booking exercise rather than a complete exit from the company.

The transaction comes just days after technology investor SoftBank sold a portion of its holding in Lenskart through another large block deal. Market observers say these stake sales are linked to portfolio rebalancing by early investors following Lenskart’s stock market listing and the expiry of lock-in restrictions for some shareholders.

Investor participation in the latest deal highlights strong confidence in Lenskart’s business model and future growth potential. The company has expanded rapidly across India and overseas through a combination of physical stores and online sales, making it one of the country’s leading eyewear brands.

Shares of Lenskart remained largely stable after the transaction, indicating that the market comfortably absorbed the large sale. Analysts said the successful deal demonstrates sustained institutional interest in consumer-focused companies with strong growth prospects and scalable business models.

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Corporate

Lenskart profit dips in Q4 despite 46% revenue jump

Lenskart has reported a decline in its fourth-quarter profit even as the eyewear retailer posted strong revenue growth, highlighting a mixed performance in the latest earnings update.

The company’s net profit slipped in the quarter, even though revenue rose sharply by around 46% year-on-year, driven by strong demand across its online and offline stores. The revenue growth was supported by increased customer traffic, expansion of retail outlets, and steady performance in key domestic and international markets.

Despite the drop in profit, investor sentiment remained relatively positive. Lenskart shares were in focus in the market, with some analysts pointing to the company’s strong long-term growth outlook and expanding store network as key positives.

The company has been aggressively scaling its physical presence while continuing to strengthen its online platform. This omnichannel strategy has helped it reach more customers and improve brand visibility, especially in urban and semi-urban markets.

However, higher operating expenses linked to expansion, marketing costs, and investments in new stores weighed on profitability during the quarter. Analysts said such spending is common for fast-growing consumer companies that prioritise long-term market share over short-term profits.

The company’s performance also reflects broader trends in the retail sector, where several consumer brands are reporting strong sales but facing pressure on margins due to expansion costs and competitive pricing.

Market experts noted that while the profit decline may raise short-term concerns, the strong revenue growth suggests underlying demand for eyewear products remains healthy. They added that investor focus is likely shifting toward future scalability rather than immediate earnings pressure.

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Categories
Corporate

Lenskart shares slide after ₹5,316 cr block deal

Lenskart shares fell in early trade after a large block deal worth over ₹5,300 crore saw more than 6% of the company’s stake change hands in the market.

Over 11 crore shares were traded through block deals at a discounted price compared to the previous market close, leading to pressure on the stock during the trading session. The decline came on the same day the lock-in period for several pre-IPO investors ended, allowing them to sell their shares in the open market.

Market reports said a number of early investors and shareholders were looking to partially reduce their holdings after the lock-in expiry. With restrictions removed, shares worth nearly ₹51,000 crore became eligible for trading, increasing the possibility of large transactions and profit booking.

Analysts said such movements are common after lock-in periods end, especially in recently listed companies where early investors seek to monetise part of their investments. The sudden rise in tradable shares often creates temporary pressure on stock prices.

Lenskart, founded by Peyush Bansal, made its stock market debut in 2025 and has remained closely watched by investors because of its strong growth in the eyewear and retail technology business. Despite the recent fall, the stock continues to trade above its IPO price.

The company has expanded rapidly in recent years through aggressive store additions, online sales growth, and international expansion. It has also focused on improving profitability while strengthening its presence in both Indian and overseas markets.

At the same time, analysts say the company’s long-term performance will depend more on business growth, profitability, and expansion plans rather than temporary selling pressure linked to block deals.

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