Paytm's share buyback plan draws skepticism over growth prospects

While a buyback could help stem the rout in Paytm shares at least temporarily, investors are questioning the attempt to manage the stock price rather than putting the cash to use for business

Paytm’s plan to buy back shares has left investors surprised and worried about the loss-making Indian fintech firm’s growth prospects as it uses funds to prop-up its hammered stock. 
 

The board of One 97 Communications Ltd., the listed-entity that runs Paytm, will decide on the buyback on Tuesday. The move comes as the stock has plunged about 75% since its listing last November to emerge as the world’s worst-performing large initial public offering in a decade. The slump also prompted a unit of Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp. — a key backer — to trim its holding.

While a buyback could