Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has posted a modest profit increase for the third quarter of the financial year 2026. The conglomerate, led by Mukesh Ambani, saw its consolidated profit climb by 2% year-on-year. This growth came despite challenges in its oil exploration and production segment.
Financial Highlights for Q3 FY26
The company reported a consolidated profit of ₹22,167 crore for the October-December quarter. In the same period last year, the profit stood at ₹21,804 crore. Sequentially, the profit showed a slight uptick from ₹22,146 crore in the preceding quarter.
Consolidated revenue witnessed a robust jump of 11%, reaching ₹2.69 trillion. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) also grew by 5% to ₹46,018 crore. These figures highlight RIL's overall financial resilience.
Segment-Wise Performance Analysis
Oil-to-Chemicals (O2C) Segment: This key division delivered improved earnings. The boost came from elevated fuel cracks globally. Fuel cracks refer to the margins refiners earn by processing crude oil. Global factors like Ukrainian attacks on Russian refining infrastructure have reduced refining capacity. Additionally, a seasonal spike in diesel demand has benefited existing refiners, including RIL.
Telecommunications Business: Reliance's telecom arm contributed positively to the consolidated financials. A higher subscriber base and better earnings per subscriber drove this improvement. The telecom segment continues to be a strong performer for the company.
Retail Business: The retail division maintained its growth trajectory, though at a slower pace compared to previous quarters. It remains a significant part of RIL's diversified portfolio.
Oil Exploration and Production: This segment faced a decline, acting as a drag on overall profits. The weakness in oil production partially offset the gains from other businesses.
Stock Market Reaction
On Friday, the Reliance Industries Ltd stock closed 0.17% higher at ₹1,461 on the BSE. This move was in line with the benchmark Sensex, which gained 0.23%. However, since the beginning of the year, the stock has underperformed the benchmark. It has lost more than 7%, while the Sensex dipped less than 2%.
RIL, based in Mumbai, remains India's most valuable company. The Q3 results reflect its ability to navigate sector-specific challenges while leveraging strengths in core areas. Investors are closely watching how the company balances its diverse business interests in the coming quarters.
