According to newly released data from the ownership platform Holdings, Slim’s stake has dropped from 4.31% to 4.24%.
This marks a shift in Slim’s involvement with the UK-based telecoms giant, having steadily increased his holdings since his initial entry in June 2023.
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At the time, Slim, through his family business Inbursa, acquired a 3.2% stake in BT for around £400 million.
Slim’s initial move into BT was widely seen as a vote of confidence in the company’s cost-reduction and investment strategies under CEO Allison Kirkby.
BT shares saw an uptick following his 4% stake announcement, with analysts praising the investment as validation of the telecom giant’s long-term strategic direction.
The reasons for the slight reduction in Slim’s stake are not immediately clear. However, the shift comes at a time when BT continues to face intense competition in the UK telecoms market and pressure to balance investment in infrastructure, such as its full-fibre rollout, with profitability.
Carlos Slim, whose wealth stems largely from his control of Mexico’s former state telephone company, has a history of investing in European telecom companies, holding stakes in Telekom Austria and KPN.
His move into BT followed Bharti Global’s acquisition of a 25% stake in the company for US$4 billion in 2023, which made Bharti BT’s largest shareholder.
Slim’s family business, Inbursa, remains a significant shareholder in BT, even after the small reduction.
BT has not commented on the reduction in Slim’s holdings, and the billionaire has yet to publicly address the matter.
