Petronet LNG Q1: Analysts expect 9% PAT growth at Rs 268 cr

State-owned Petronet LNG will report first quarter numbers today. Analysts on an average expect the net profit to grow by 9.4 percent year-on-year to Rs 268 crore, according to CNBC-TV18 poll.

Revenue is seen going up by 2.2 percent to Rs 8,626 crore in April-June quarter from Rs 8,441 crore in a year ago period.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) may rise 5.3 percent Y-o-Y to Rs 457 crore during the quarter while operating profit margin is expected to be flat.

According to a poll, higher short term and spot cargoes are beneficial due to trading gains. Trading gains will serve as a guide for 2013-14 as medium term contracts are being rolled over.

Investors should watch out for any update on commissioning of Kochi terminal and completion for the second phase of evacuation pipeline.

Utilisation will improve sequentially to near 100 percent, but that will be well below earlier highs of 110-114 percent.

Though, spot LNG prices have softened (from highs in January-February), but demand for spot LNG remains weak due to deteriorated macro-economic conditions.