IOC Q1 FY2026 Results: Strong Profit Growth Amid Mixed Revenue Trends
Indian Oil Corporation posts robust profit surge with improved refinery utilization despite slight revenue dip in Q1 FY2026.
Key Financial Highlights
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), India’s largest oil refiner and fuel retailer, delivered a solid performance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (Q1 FY2026), with notable growth in profitability and there is efficiency in operations.
• Total Income: ₹192,924 crore, down 3.6% QoQ and 0.7% YoY
• Profit Before Tax (PBT): ₹7,602 crore, up 5.8% QoQ and 78% YoY
• Profit After Tax (PAT): ₹6,808 crore, up 24.1% QoQ and 82.9% YoY
• EPS: ₹4.95, up 32.4% QoQ and 93.4% YoY increase can be seen
• EBITDA: ₹14,746 crore
These results underscore IOC’s profitability resilience driven by refining margin expansion and improving refinery efficiencies, positioning the company well for growth amid evolving market dynamics.
Revenue and Expenses Dynamics
IOC’s total income in Q1 FY2026 stood at ₹192,923.90 crore, just slightly below the previous quarter’s ₹200,103.28 crore and last year’s ₹194,377.56 crore. This minor decline reflects fluctuating crude oil prices and changes in product demand patterns globally and domestically.
On the expenses front, IOC managed to reduce total costs by 3.9% QoQ to ₹185,322 crore, marking continued focus on cost control and operational efficiencies. Year-over-year expenses also declined by 2.4%, helping bolster overall profitability despite top line challenges. Tax expenses rose 0.6% QoQ but surged 73.7% YoY to ₹1,942 crore, consistent with the sharp rise in profits.
Operational Efficiency and Refinery Utilization
A highlight for the quarter was refinery throughput reaching 18.7 million metric tonnes (MMT), surpassing capacity limits with a 107.1% utilization rate compared to 95-100% typically seen in prior quarters. This demonstrates IOC’s operational expertise and capacity to meet rising fuel demand efficiently.
This strong throughput translated into improved refining margins and higher earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of ₹14,746 crore, underpinning the profitability surge. In Q1, Russian crude accounted for about 22–23% of IOC’s total processing, remaining a crucial component in its feedstock strategy.
Marketing and Sales Performance
IOC recorded record quarterly sales volumes of 26.32 MMT, a 4.2% increase YoY, highlighting growing domestic consumption, particularly in diesel and petrol segments. Institutional diesel sales were up by over 40%, showing strength in commercial demand.
Gross refining margins (GRM) faced pressure, falling to $2.15 per barrel from $6.39 in the previous year, mainly due to volatile global oil markets and inventory losses amounting to ₹6,465 crore. Despite this, IOC managed to maintain strong profitability through strategic cost management and blending strategies.
Strategic Developments and Outlook
The company scheduled an analyst meet on August 18, 2025, to discuss detailed results and strategic outlook for the year. Likely focus areas include refining capacity expansions, integration of renewable energy initiatives, and continued optimization of supply chain and import mix.
IOC’s ability to sustain refinery utilization above 100% signals strong demand visibility. The company’s robust marketing network and government backing provide resilience amid fluctuating crude prices and regulatory environments.
Conclusion
Indian Oil Corporation’s Q1 FY2026 results reflect a balanced financial and operational performance marked by excellent profit growth and exceptional refinery throughput. While revenues saw a slight decline year-on-year, the company’s operational efficiencies, cost control, and strong market demand enabled significant earnings growth and enhanced shareholder value.
Staying adaptive to global energy markets and domestic consumption trends, IOC is well positioned to continue driving sustainable growth while investing in cleaner energy options and technology innovation. The upcoming analyst meet will provide further insights into the company’s medium-term strategy amid evolving energy sector challenges.
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