Should you invest in Vodafone Idea?:Experts says retail investors should exercise caution, warn the stock can fall 32% in near term

The recent performance of one company that has reignited the hopes of retail investors is that of the defunct telecom, Vodafone Idea (VI). Lot of small investors were trapped in this company due to investment at higher levels of share prices, but, the recent rally has rekindled hopes that someday they might get a chance to recover their buying cost and eventually sell their holdings and come out of it. While, fresh buyers are puzzled whether they should buy VI shares after the recent rally or not! How many retail investors have put in their hard-earned money in VI? As per information given on the website of the BSE, the share of retail investors in VI as of September 2025 quarter end stood at 4.65%. These must be investments made by the common man via demat accounts. Additionally, small investors also invest via mutual funds. The share of mutual funds in the bewildered telecom stood at 4.55% VI share price performance: What experts say? Sebi-registered research analyst, PHD Capital, founder and CEO, Pradip Halder, MarketFeds Analytics, CMT CFTe, co-founder, Lovelesh Sharma and Mantri Finmart, founder, Arun Mantri are of the view that at current levels it is not advisable to cough up money in this stock. Infact, they have advised even long term investors to remain away from this stock. I am not that convinced on Vodafone Idea because we have seen in the past that the stock is very volatile in nature. The company continues to reel under huge debt. On a fundamental basis, I don’t prefer this stock. The stock has rallied only on emotions and sentiments. – PHD Capital, founder and CEO, Pradip Halder Echoing Halder, MarketFeds Analytics, CMT CFTe, co-founder, Lovelesh Sharma says “The vodafone Idea had its time based on hope and speculation.” According to Sharma, the government’s relief is just “an accounting relief, not an economic one.” The principal remains, the balance sheet is still stressed and the company’s survival risk remains. – MarketFeds Analytics, CMT CFTe, co-founder, Lovelesh Sharma
According to Halder, people should maintain a strict stop loss of ₹11 per share. As per the technical charts, the stock can rise up to ₹13 apiece level. Albeit, he hasn’t recommended retail investors to buy this stock.
Book profits in Vodafone Idea: Sharma I wouldn’t advise the retail investors to lap up. I believe anyone who has previously bought this share should book full profit or substantial. – Lovelesh Sharma What is the short to mid-term outlook on VI? The scenario in short to mid term doesnt look. The company is already struggling with its losses and market competition. – MarketFeds Analytics
Vodafone can fall to ₹8 apiece in the short term: Sharma The stock market expert says that he expects further weakness in the Idea. For short to mid term, the volatility will stay and stock can further fall to 8/8.5 apiece. We don’t suggest buying the stock at current zones as the clarity still not seems to be clear on the news flows. – Mantri Finmart, founder, Arun Mantri What’s the confusion about? Vi issued a clarification on Wednesday (December 31st) stating that it has not received any communication from the government regarding AGR dues. Vodafone Idea released this statement after stock exchanges (BSE-NSE) sought clarification on media reports. Earlier, several media reports claimed that the Union Cabinet had approved a relief package for the debt-ridden telecom company Vodafone Idea. According to these reports, the Cabinet’s decision included “freezing” the company’s ₹87,695 crore Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues for the time being. This also meant the company will not have to pay this massive amount immediately. According to sources from government news agencies ANI and PTI, the payment will now have to be made within a 10-year window between fiscal years 2032 and 2041.
On Thursday, the company’s stock rose over 8% and settled at ₹11.63 apiece on the BSE.