New Delhi: State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on Friday reported the highest ever quarterly net profit by any Indian firm of over Rs 18,347 crore as it made a one-time tax gain on opting for a lower rate regime.
Net profit in July-September period at Rs 18,347.73 crore is compared with Rs 2,757.77 crore net profit in the same period a year back, according to the company's filing to the stock exchanges.
The profit in the quarter is compared with Rs 11,246.44 crore net profit ONGC had earned in full 2020-21 fiscal year (April 2020 to March 2021).
This is the highest ever quarterly net profit by any company in the country.
Prior to this, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) held the distinction of posting the highest ever quarterly profit when it reported a net earning of Rs 14,512.81 crore in January-March 2013.
IOC's net profit in the fourth quarter of 2012-13 fiscal was abnormally high because of receipt of fuel subsidy for the full year in one quarter. Its annual profit that fiscal was Rs 5,005.17 crore as it had posted losses in the previous quarter on failing to get fuel subsidy support.
ONGC, in the first half (April-September) of the current fiscal earned Rs 22,682.48 crore net profit as against Rs 3,254.35 crore a year back.
The profit in the second quarter (July-September) was aided by higher oil prices and the one-time tax gain of Rs 8,541 crore.
ONGC said the company has an option to pay corporate income tax at the rate of 22 per cent plus applicable surcharge and cess (lower rate) as against the earlier rate of 30 per cent plus applicable surcharge and cess, subject to certain conditions.
"Considering all the provisions under said section 115BAA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, during the quarter the company has decided to avail the option of lower rate with effect from the financial year 2020-21.