ONGC Q3 profit seen down 2%, operational nos may be strong

State-run oil & gas exploration company ONGC's Q3 earnings are expected to be stable on higher oil realisation and some operating cost reductions.

Profit is seen falling 1.88 percent sequentially to Rs 4,881 crore but revenue may grow 5.4 percent to Rs 19,396 crore in the quarter gone by, according to average of estimates of analysts polled by CNBC-TV18.

Analysts say third quarter profit is expected to benefit from small income at Rajasthan joint venture driven by 21 percent higher realisation and lower cess but offset by 10 percent lower production.

Operating profit may increase 10.3 percent quarter-on-quarter to Rs 10,041 crore and margin may expand 250 basis points to 52 percent in Q3.