SoftBank sold 1.56% of Lenskart shares worth ₹1.896 billion; Goldman Sachs was the largest buyer

Japanese technology investor SoftBank reduced its stake in the retail eyewear chain Lenskart Solutions by selling 1.56 percent of its share package on the open market for ₹1.896 billion, according to block deal data on the BSE.

SoftBank executed the sale of 27.2 million shares, dividing it into 10 tranches, at an average price of ₹697.15 per share on Friday. The total transaction value amounted to ₹1.89624 billion. Following this operation, SoftBank's stake in the Gurugram-based company decreased from 7.27 percent to 5.71 percent.

A significant number of shares were acquired by both domestic and foreign institutional investors at the same price. The American company Goldman Sachs was the largest buyer, acquiring 91.84 lakh shares worth over ₹640 billion.

Among the domestic buyers were Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund, UTI Mutual Fund, and HDFC Life Insurance Company. Foreign buyers also included Societe Generale, BNP Paribas, William Blair Investment Management, Public School Teachers' Pension & Retirement Fund of Chicago, Texas Municipal Retirement System, and Florida Retirement System.

Lenskart Solutions shares rose by 1 percent, closing at ₹724.70 per share on the BSE. This latest share sale follows a series of transactions by existing investors in this retail chain.

Previously in September, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority reduced its stake in Lenskart by 2.01 percent, selling shares worth ₹2.390 billion. Earlier still, in June, SoftBank sold 3.25 percent of its stake in the company for ₹2.873 billion.

In a separate transaction on the NSE, promoter Nirma Ltd, one of the founders of Alivus Life Sciences (formerly Glenmark Life Sciences), offloaded 2.846 million shares, representing a 2.32 percent stake, worth ₹390 billion through a block deal. These shares were sold at an average price of ₹1,370 per share on Friday.

Buyers in this transaction included Helios Mutual Fund, promoted by investor Samir Arora, Bandhan Mutual Fund, Param Capital, Subhkam Ventures I Pvt Ltd, and Sanshi Fund-I, which collectively acquired an equal number of shares at one price. The only foreign institutional investor participating in the purchase was the Norway Government Pension Fund Global. Alivus Life Sciences shares fell almost 2 percent, closing trading on the NSE at ₹1,471.90 per share.

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business-standard.comNovember 4, 15:59

Lenskart's net profit in the second quarter of FY2027 exceeded doubling, revenue grew by 32.5%

Lenskart Solutions Limited reported a year-on-year revenue growth of 32.5%, reaching ₹2,845 crore for the quarter ending September 30, 2026. This figure is higher than the ₹2,147 crore recorded in the same period last year. Profit after tax more than doubled, amounting to ₹232 crore compared to ₹113 crore.

The profit growth is attributed to increased eyeglass sales volumes, product premiumization, and high demand in both Indian and international markets. EBITDA increased by 65.0% year-on-year, reaching ₹392 crore from ₹237 crore, while the margin expanded to 13.8% from 11.1%. This improvement reflects the growth in scale and operational efficiency supported by Lenskart's integrated business model covering brands, manufacturing, and distribution.

For the full fiscal year 2027, the company's revenue increased by 33.0% to ₹5,559 crore, and profit after tax reached ₹461 crore, equivalent to 87% of the company's profit for the full fiscal year 2026. Over the last 12 months, Lenskart's revenue surpassed the ₹10,000 crore mark.

Piyush Bansal, Chairman, Managing Director, and CEO of Lenskart, noted that a significant portion of the world's population still lacks access to vision correction, which limits people's ability to learn and develop.

Indian Domestic Market Situation

Revenue in India grew by 35.3% year-on-year, reaching ₹1,668 crore. The growth was supported by a 26.5% increase in eyeglass sales volume and growing demand for premium lenses. Growth in single-location store sales reached 20.8%, up from 14.8% the previous year, with growth observed in metro cities and Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. Lenskart opened 143 new stores in India, including 94 in Tier 2 and Tier 2 Plus cities, and entered 61 new cities. The company's network in India now comprises 2,868 stores across 665 cities.

The company conducted 8 million eye examinations globally, a 40.4% increase compared to last year. The number of active participants in the Lenskart Gold program in India exceeded ten million, reaching 1.03 crore by the end of the quarter, a 38.6% year-on-year increase. Despite the continued weakening of the rupee, Lenskart maintained a consolidated product margin of 70.0% compared to 69.2% the previous year. In-house production of frames grew by 71.7% year-on-year, and lens manufacturing grew by 52.2%, helping to offset currency pressure and strengthen control over product quality and cost.

International Business

International revenue increased by 29.5% year-on-year, reaching ₹1,201 crore. This growth was driven by strong performance in Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. Growth was approximately 23% in constant currency terms, and eyeglass sales volume increased by 29.7%. International EBITDA rose by 86.8% to ₹127 crore, while the margin expanded to 10.6% from 7.3% the previous year. This marked the second consecutive quarter where the margin exceeded 10%, supported by scale and improved product mix.

Lenskart continued its international expansion, adding 22 new stores in the quarter, bringing its global network to 3,624 stores. Of these new stores, 12 were in Southeast Asia, three in the Middle East, two in Japan, and five in other markets.

In technology, Lenskart continues to develop vision care services using technology, making remote optometry available in 934 stores across India, up from 303 stores the previous year. Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in customer service, employee training, inventory planning, and manufacturing to enhance efficiency and improve the customer experience. During the quarter, the company expanded the availability of its smart glasses B to over 500 stores across India and online.

Lenskart's automated facility in Bhiwadi utilizes robotic manufacturing processes and AI-based quality checks to produce prescription glasses for both domestic and international markets. The company is also investing in its future facility in Hyderabad to meet future capacity needs and international growth. In the first half of FY2027, Lenskart generated ₹388 crore in operating cash flow, covering ₹187 crore in capital expenditures on stores, renovations, and remote optometry. Return on invested capital improved to 22.5% in the first half of FY2027 compared to 14.6% in FY2026, reflecting revenue growth and disciplined capital allocation. The company continues to invest in manufacturing, technology, retail, and brand building to support long-term growth.

www.aajtak.inOctober 30, 11:20

Suzlon Energy shares fell to 52-week low after lowering profit targets

Shares of Suzlon Energy Limited showed a significant decline on Friday. During the morning trading session, the stock dropped by more than 9% as the renewable energy provider substantially revised its profit targets for the second quarter.

business-standard.comOctober 25, 11:54

Ten largest companies lost 1.55 trillion rupees in market capitalization, including HDFC Bank and Bajaj Finance

In the week shortened due to holidays, the market capitalization of eight out of the ten most valuable companies decreased by 1.55 trillion rupees, with HDFC Bank and Bajaj Finance contributing the largest share to the losses.

During this week, the BSE Sensex index, comprising 30 stocks, fell by 1,605.44 points, representing 2.15 percent, while the NSE Nifty index, which includes 50 stocks, declined by 546.15 points or 2.36 percent.

Tracking the weak trend in the stock market, the total market capitalization of companies listed on the BSE decreased by 20,78,774.28 crores over four trading sessions, amounting to 4,51,83,393.14 crores compared to 4,72,62,167.42 crores recorded on October 16.

Among the ten largest companies, eight lost 1,55,671.9 crores, while Tata Consultancy Services and Larsen & Toubro finished the week with an increase in value.

Major Losing Companies

Among the main participants in the losses, the market value of HDFC Bank sharply decreased by 55,506.95 crores, reaching 1,067,121.12 crores. The company's shares fell by 5 percent in the last week.

Similarly, the value of Bajaj Finance decreased by 34,180.51 crores, totaling 577,146.21 crores. The market value of Reliance Industries dropped by 27,065.08 crores to 1,610,372.11 crores, and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) lost 21,062.24 crores, amounting to 481,142.58 crores.

The market capitalization of Bharti Airtel fell by 9,360.75 crores to 1,179,454.70 crores. The value of State Bank of India decreased by 4,338.46 crores, totaling 883,384.38 crores. Furthermore, Infosys's capitalization declined by 2,881.38 crores to 468,528.03 crores, and ICICI Bank lost 1,276.53 crores, amounting to 1,001,594.91 crores.

Companies Showing Growth

Meanwhile, the value of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) increased by 23,517.56 crores, reaching 914,652.52 crores. The market capitalization of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) grew by 1,788.66 crores, reaching 501,513.72 crores.

Reliance Industries was the most expensive company, followed by Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, TCS, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, L&T, Life Insurance Corporation of India, and Infosys.