Network18 has 4.5M shares change hands in a block trade

Network18 has 4.5M shares change hands in a block trade

Network18 Executes Major Block Trade Amid Volatile Share Performance

On February 23, 2026, Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. saw a significant bulk transaction on the National Stock Exchange, with 7.1 million shares traded at an average price of ₹35.50 per share. This activity, categorized as a bulk deal (transactions occurring outside regular trading hours), highlights continued institutional interest in the media conglomerate despite its recent underperformance.

Network18, a Reliance Industries-owned entity, operates news and video platforms such as News18 and CNN. As of February 27, 2026, its share price stood at ₹33.44, reflecting a 37.48% decline over the past six months and a 23.18% drop in the last year. The stock's 52-week range spans ₹32.95 (low) to ₹65.29 (high), underscoring its volatility. According to company data, the company's market capitalization was ₹6,962.21 crore as of December 21, 2022, with a promoter stake of 75% and foreign institutional investor holdings at 5%.

The recent block trade occurred against a backdrop of weak investor returns. Over the past year, Network18's shares have delivered a -23.9% return, outperforming its three-month -4% decline but lagging broader market benchmarks. Valuation metrics remain elevated, with a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 59.5 and a price-to-book (PB) ratio of 1.62. Notably, the company has not declared dividends in recent periods.

Institutional activity in Network18 has been mixed. Quant Active Direct-G holds the largest stake among mutual funds, with ₹28.24 crore invested as of November 2022, while smaller positions exist in other funds. The bulk trade on February 23 may signal strategic portfolio adjustments by promoters or institutional investors, though its long-term impact on share price momentum remains to be seen.

With Reliance Industries maintaining a controlling stake and Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP as auditors, Network18's corporate governance structure remains stable. However, its financial performance and market positioning will need to evolve to attract sustained investor confidence in the competitive media sector.

(https://trendlyne.com/equity/bulk-block-deals/NETWORK18/932/network18-media-investments-ltd/): Bulk deal data from Trendlyne.
(https://www.icicidirect.com/stocks/network-18-media-and-investments-ltd-share-price): Share price and company details from ICICI Direct.