OMCs in focus as crude oil hits 1-year low; BPCL, HPCL surge up to 5%

With this decline in crude prices analysts expect marketing margins of HPCL, BPCL and IOCL to improve further.

Oil, OMCs, Oil rig, Fuel, Indian Oil, Hindustan OIL, Bharat Petroleum, Petrol, Gas, LPG, Oil drilling, block, basin
SI Reporter Mumbai
2 min read Last Updated : Mar 16 2023 | 11:13 AM IST
Shares of state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) were in focus on Thursday, rallying up to 5 per cent on the BSE in an otherwise volatile market after crude oil prices fell over 6 per cent overnight. The oil prices quoted at the lowest level since more than a year due to recent fears related to the banks in the US and Europe.

Following fall in crude oil prices, the stock price of Bharat Petroleum Corporation (Rs 346.35) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (Rs 241.45) rallied 5 per cent each, while Indian Oil Corporation was up 2 per cent at Rs 80.15 on the BSE. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 0.14 per cent at 57,635 at 10:53 AM.

With this decline in crude prices analysts expect marketing margins of HPCL, BPCL and IOCL to improve further. Margins on diesel are currently at around Rs 3/litre while margins on petrol are at around Rs 6/litre, as per our estimates. On a blended basis, currently these margins are at around Rs 4/litre, ICICI Securities said.

Analysts at Prabhudas Lilladher believe OMCs, are all well placed to benefit from improving marketing situation and healthy refining profitability.

Improving marketing environment along with strong gross refining margins (GRMs) will drive near term earning given improved marketing margin (Rs 1.8/ltr) post sharp correction in international diesel prices to ~$110 (recent peak of $170/bbl), firm refining product spreads due to ban on import of Russian oils and range bound oil prices due to global recessionary pressure and high interest rates, despite increased demand from China, the brokerage firm said.

In Q3FY23 OMCs turned profitable at Rs 2,740 crore after H1FY23 losses of Rs 22,700 crore given improvement in marketing margins (blended marketing loss Rs 1.6/ltr) and healthy refining margins at $9.1- 15.9/bbl.

Going forward, the brokerage firm expects OMCs to report profits of around Rs 12,800 crore in Q4FY23, based on current marketing margin trends and stock performance to reflect improving fundamentals.


One subscription. Two world-class reads.

Already subscribed? Log in

Subscribe to read the full story →
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

Topics :Buzzing stocksoil marketing companiesBPCL HPCL IOCMarket trendsCrude Oil Price

Next Story