Zomato Acquires Paytm’s Entertainment Ticketing Business

Zomato Acquires Paytm's Entertainment Ticketing Business

In a recent development, Zomato has approved the acquisition of Paytm’s entertainment and ticketing business for ₹2,048 crore in a cash deal. This move marks Zomato’s expansion into the broader lifestyle services sector, including dining, movies, sports ticketing, live performances, shopping, and staycations. Meanwhile, Paytm aims to refocus on its core financial services.

Market Impact on Zomato and Paytm

Zomato’s Stock Performance and Forecast

Zomato’s shares rose nearly 3% to ₹267, with a market capitalization of ₹2.3 lakh crore. The company plans to grow its “going-out” segment to ₹10,000 crore by FY26. JM Financial has set a target price of ₹300, while Jefferies suggests a revised target of ₹335, indicating a potential 30% gain. The acquisition positions Zomato as the second-largest entertainment ticketing platform in India, behind BookMyShow.

Paytm’s Stock Performance and Forecast

Paytm’s shares surged nearly 5.5% to ₹604.45, with a market capitalization of ₹38,500 crore. The sale will allow Paytm to focus more on its core business areas. Motilal Oswal Financial Services has a ‘neutral’ rating with a target price of ₹550, whereas Emkay Global has a ‘reduce’ rating with a target price of ₹375. StoxBox forecasts a target price of ₹615 for Paytm, reflecting a cautious yet optimistic outlook.

Strategic Implications

Zomato’s Expansion Strategy

The acquisition is set to enhance Zomato’s position in the lifestyle services market. With the introduction of the new app ‘District,‘ Zomato plans to consolidate various services under one platform. The company’s past performance and lack of significant competition in the ‘going-out’ segment suggest strong potential for growth.

Paytm’s Refocused Strategy

For Paytm, the divestment allows a concentrated focus on its financial services and cashback offers. The move is expected to provide a financial boost and enable better shareholder value. However, some analysts believe the immediate net value addition might be less significant than the stock price reaction suggests.

Piyush Shukla