Castrol India Limited has released the recording of its post-earnings conference call discussing the unaudited financial results for the second quarter and half-year ended June 30, 2026. The event, which provides investors with management’s perspective on the latest financial performance, took place on August 5, 2026, from 12:15 p.m. IST to 1:00 p.m. IST. The recording is now available on the company’s investor relations website, allowing stakeholders to review the detailed discussion on operational and financial metrics for 2Q FY26.

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 and Regulation 46 read with Para A of Part A of Schedule III to the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. These regulations mandate timely and accurate disclosure of material information to stock exchanges to ensure transparency and fair access to information for all market participants. By publishing the recording, Castrol India ensures that all shareholders and potential investors have equal opportunity to understand the context behind the reported figures.

Call Details and Access

The earnings call focused on the financial outcomes for the quarter and half-year period ending June 30, 2026. While the specific numerical results are contained within the separate financial filing, this audio recording offers qualitative insights from management regarding business trends, market conditions, and strategic initiatives driving the performance during this period.

Investors can access the recording by visiting the company’s official website under the "Investor Call Details 2026 2Q FY 2026" section. This resource is critical for analysts evaluating the company’s trajectory in the lubricants and automotive chemicals sector, providing direct commentary from leadership on how external factors influenced the bottom line.

Regulatory Compliance and Governance

Hemangi Ghag, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer of Castrol India Limited, signed off on the communication to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). The notice confirms that the company adheres to strict regulatory timelines for disseminating post-result information. This compliance step is part of the broader governance framework designed to maintain investor confidence and regulatory standing.

The release of the earnings call recording complements the statutory financial statements filed earlier. It serves as a bridge between raw data and strategic narrative, helping market participants interpret the numbers in the context of broader industry dynamics. For those unable to attend the live session, this archived recording serves as the primary source for management’s forward-looking comments and responses to analyst queries regarding the 2Q FY26 performance.

Castrol India Limited reported a robust financial performance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 (Q2FY26), with net profit after tax (PAT) rising 43% year-on-year to ₹347.70 crore. The Mumbai-based lubricant manufacturer posted revenue from operations of ₹1,871.47 crore, marking a 25% increase compared to ₹1,496.83 crore in the same period last year. This growth underscores the company’s ability to maintain momentum despite severe commodity inflation and supply chain disruptions in the operating environment.

The Board of Directors, at its meeting held on August 4, 2026, approved the unaudited financial results and declared an interim dividend of ₹6.25 per equity share. The record date for determining shareholder entitlement is fixed as August 11, 2026, with payment scheduled within 30 days of declaration. The results were reviewed by the Audit Committee and subjected to a limited review by Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP, the statutory auditors of the company, in compliance with Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Financial Highlights: Q2 and H1 FY26

The company’s strong performance was reflected across key financial metrics for both the quarter and the first half of the fiscal year. EBITDA for Q2FY26 stood at ₹494 crore, up 41% year-on-year, while profit before tax reached ₹476.03 crore. For the first half of FY26, revenue grew 17% to ₹3,416.71 crore, and PAT increased 24% to ₹589.88 crore.

Note: EBITDA figures are derived from press release data provided in the source document.

Operational Drivers and Market Strategy

Saugata Basuray, Managing Director of Castrol India Limited, attributed the growth to disciplined execution and supply chain agility. He noted that industrial, institutional, and consumer businesses all delivered strong volume growth, with power brands in the personal mobility space outperforming the broader business mix. The company leveraged its global supply chain and diversified vendor base to ensure uninterrupted supply amidst raw material volatility.

Key operational developments include:

• Distribution Expansion: Maintained a national footprint of approximately 160,000 outlets, with rural distribution expanding to ~45,000 outlets.
• Product Innovation: Launched Castrol Activ Full Synthetic 10W-30 and 5W-30, and upgraded Castrol GTX 5W-30 to full synthetic.
• Brand Engagement: A TVC campaign featuring Zombie reached over 150 million consumers, reinforcing brand connectivity.

What the Numbers Show

A notable divergence in the financial data is the impact of fair value adjustments on comprehensive income. While PAT surged 43%, total comprehensive income for the quarter was ₹281.71 crore, significantly lower than PAT due to a ₹65.99 crore fair value loss on investments in equity instruments through other comprehensive income (OCI). This suggests that while core operational profitability is strong, market valuation fluctuations in the company’s investment portfolio are currently exerting downward pressure on overall equity value. Additionally, cash flow from operating activities declined to ₹308.13 crore in H1FY26 from ₹412.81 crore in the prior year, primarily due to a ₹495.49 crore increase in inventories, indicating strategic stockpiling or working capital buildup ahead of anticipated demand or supply constraints.

Transition and Future Outlook

The results come against the backdrop of bp plc’s agreement to sell a 65% stake in Castrol’s global lubricants business to Stonepeak for approximately USD 10 billion. The transaction, expected to close by end-2026, has no immediate impact on Castrol India’s standalone financials. Ms. Mrinalini Srinivasan, Chief Financial Officer and Whole-time Director, stated that the interim dividend accelerates cash returns to shareholders during this transition period, maintaining the company’s disciplined capital allocation philosophy. Looking ahead, management remains cautious about inflationary pressures and uneven monsoon conditions that could influence demand in the second half of the year.