Reliance misses estimates

INDIAN oil-to-telecoms giant Reliance Industries reported earnings that missed analyst estimates last Friday (22), despite a strong performance by its core oilrefining business.

The conglomerate, owned by Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, reported a net profit of `179.55 billion (£1.86bn) between April and June, 46.3 per cent higher than the same period last year.

Revenues from operations increased 54.54 per cent year-on-year to `2.23 trillion (£20.8bn), aided by both its legacy energy business and newer ventures like telecoms.

Revenues from Reliance’s oil to chemicals (O2C) business – which accounts for 60 per cent of total income – jumped 56.68 per cent year-on-year to `1.62tn, its highest ever.

A 65 per cent yearon-year increase in brent crude oil prices in the quarter primarily contributed to the strong performance, the company said.

Imports of Russian crude at discounted rates have likely helped Reliance’s refining margins as energy demand surged.

Revenues from the energy giant’s smaller oil and gas exploration and production business jumped 183 per cent year-on-year to `36.25bn, helped by higher gas prices.

“Geopolitical conflict has caused significant dislocation in energy markets and disrupted traditional trade flows,” chairman and managing director Ambani said in a statement

“Despite significant challenges posed by the tight crude markets and higher energy and freight costs, O2C business has delivered its best performance ever,” the billionaire added.

Strong supply chain infrastructure helped insulate customers on Reliance’s retail, grocery and digital platforms from inflation in the quarter, Ambani said. Telecoms arm Reliance Jio saw revenues rise 23.6 per cent to `275.27bn and added 9.7 million subscribers, reversing three consecutive quarters of its subscriber base shrinking.

Revenues from Reliance’s retail business hit a fresh all-time high of `585.54bn. Reliance’s fortune has been powered by oil and petrochemicals businesses, but the company has diversified into new areas – telecoms and retail in recent years.