SoftBank Sells 1.65% Meesho Stake for ₹1,885 Crore, Cuts Holding to 5.19%

Japanese investment giant SoftBank Group has offloaded a 1.65% stake in Meesho for ₹1,885.17 crore, marking another significant step in its ongoing strategy of monetising investments in India's technology and consumer internet sector. The transaction, executed through SoftBank affiliate SVF II Meerkat (DE) LLC, saw the sale of 7.64 crore shares via block deals on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Details of the Transaction

According to NSE block deal data, SoftBank's affiliate sold 7.64 crore shares of Meesho at an average price of ₹246.75 per share, resulting in a total transaction value of ₹1,885.17 crore. Following the sale, SoftBank's shareholding in the Bengaluru-based e-commerce company declined to 5.19% from 6.84%.

The deal attracted strong institutional participation from both domestic and global investors, highlighting continued confidence in Meesho's growth prospects despite SoftBank's partial exit.

Who Bought the Shares?

A diverse group of institutional investors participated in the block deal.

Among the largest buyers was Societe Generale, which acquired more than 1.47 crore shares, representing around 0.32% of Meesho, for approximately ₹364.65 crore.

Separate market disclosures also showed that Fidelity Investments emerged as the largest buyer overall, purchasing 2.32 crore shares, equivalent to a 0.5% stake, through multiple investment schemes for ₹573.07 crore. 

Other notable participants included:

• Morgan Stanley
• Goldman Sachs
• BNP Paribas
• Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund
• HDFC Mutual Fund
• Edelweiss Mutual Fund
• Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund
• Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance
• Monetary Authority of Singapore
• Government Pension Fund Global (Norway)
• Government of Singapore

The participation of several large global institutions indicates sustained investor interest in India's fast-growing digital commerce ecosystem.

Market Reaction

Meesho's stock responded positively to the development. The shares rose approximately 1.5% to close at ₹257.99 on the NSE after the transaction was completed. The gain suggested that the market comfortably absorbed the large block sale and viewed institutional demand as a positive signal.

Part of SoftBank's Broader Portfolio Monetisation

The Meesho stake sale is not an isolated event. It forms part of SoftBank's broader effort to monetise holdings across its Indian portfolio.

According to reports, the Japanese investor has recently reduced stakes in several prominent Indian companies, including Lenskart and Ola Electric. Earlier in November, SoftBank sold a 1.56% stake in Lenskart for approximately ₹1,896 crore. The investor had also undertaken multiple stake sales in the eyewear retailer during previous months, alongside a reduction in its holding in Ola Electric earlier this year. 2

SoftBank had previously sold another 1.7% stake in Meesho in September, indicating a gradual reduction rather than a complete exit from the company.

What It Means for Meesho

While SoftBank's stake sale reduces its ownership in the company, the transaction does not necessarily reflect weakening confidence in Meesho's business. Large venture and growth investors frequently monetise portions of their holdings after years of investment, particularly when companies achieve scale and attract strong public-market interest.

The fact that multiple domestic and international institutions absorbed the entire block deal underscores the market's continuing appetite for exposure to Meesho.

Meesho has emerged as one of India's leading e-commerce platforms, particularly in value-focused online retail, and remains a key player in the country's rapidly expanding digital commerce market.
Conclusion

SoftBank's ₹1,885-crore sale of Meesho shares marks another milestone in the investor's ongoing portfolio rebalancing strategy in India. The transaction reduced its stake from 6.84% to 5.19%, while attracting strong demand from leading global and domestic institutional investors.

For Meesho, the successful absorption of such a large block deal and the participation of investors such as Fidelity, Societe Generale, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs highlight continued confidence in the company's long-term growth story and in India's broader e-commerce market.