Analysts keep faith in Airtel despite lowest quarterly profit in 15 years

Analysts say the performance in the recently concluded quarter was more resilient relative to expectations

A surprise in the January–March 2018 (Q4FY18) quarter numbers, merger of Bharti Infratel & Indus Towers to create world's largest non-Chinese tower firm and Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) interim stay on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai’s) predatory pricing order had a positive impact on Bharti Airtel at the bourses on Wednesday.

The stock closed 3.4 per cent higher at Rs 420 levels on the BSE. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex ended 0.3 per cent lower at 34,501 levels, while the S&P BSE Telecom index surged 0.7 per cent to 1,332 levels.

Even as the