Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC) saw its shares advance on February 5, buoyed by a robust performance in the December quarter. The state-owned enterprise posted a net profit of ₹12,126 crore, a substantial increase from ₹7,610.5 crore in the preceding quarter. This surge reflects strong operational efficiency and favorable market conditions.
Profitability Surge
The company's Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) climbed 42.8% sequentially to ₹20,824.8 crore from ₹14,584.8 crore. This translated into an expanded EBITDA margin, which grew by 200 basis points to 10.2% from 8.2% in the previous quarter. Revenue also contributed to the positive sentiment, rising to ₹2.04 lakh crore from ₹1.78 lakh crore sequentially, indicating healthy demand and sales.Refining Margins Improve
A key driver for the improved financial health was the company's refining operations. Average Gross Refining Margins (GRMs) for the April-December period stood at a healthy $8.41 per barrel, a significant leap from $3.69 per barrel recorded in the same period last year. Core GRMs, adjusted for inventory effects, were even stronger at $9.86 per barrel, showcasing IOC's ability to capitalize on global crude oil dynamics.The strong earnings announcement saw IOC shares trade 2% higher by market close at ₹176.25. This performance adds to the stock's impressive run, which has seen it gain 40% over the past 12 months, positioning it as a top performer in the energy sector.