Fuel-price cut: Goldman, Citigroup downgrade oil retailers IOC, BPCL, HPCL

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. downgraded the stocks of India’s state-run fuel retailers after the government on Thursday asked them to subsidize retail fuel prices.

Citigroup downgraded Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd., Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd. and Indian Oil Corp Ltd. to sell, while Goldman Sachs lowered the first two companies to sell, after the government cut the excise tax on gasoline and diesel by 1.5 rupees (2 cents) a liter and asked state-run oil marketing companies to absorb another 1 rupee/liter on the sale of these fuels.

The announcement came just before the market closed on Thursday, driving refiners’ stocks down. The S&P BSE Energy Index tumbled 6.7 percent, the most since August 2015, while each of the three state-run refiners closed more than 10 percent lower.

The imposition of price controls is an “unequivocal negative” that underscores “high political risk” associated with state-owned enterprises, Citigroup’s analyst Saurabh Handa wrote in a note.

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Petrol prices see another cut: Here's what you will pay in top cities today

Fuel prices, for the tenth consecutive day, was marginally lowered on Friday. As per prices announced by largest retailer Indian Oil Corp (IOC), petrol prices fell around 21 paise in the four metro cities, while diesel prices were down by around 15 paise.

In Delhi, petrol per litre on Friday cost Rs 77.42, down from 77.63 on Thursday. Similarly, in Mumbai and Kolkata, petrol prices were at Rs 85.24 and Rs 80.07 a litre respectively. In Chennai, petrol fell by 22 paise to Rs 80.37 per litre.

Diesel prices were down by 15 paise in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. In Chennai, its price was down by 16 paise.

On Thursday, petrol prices were reduced by 9 paise, while diesel prices were cut by 7 paise in Delhi.

Even after ten consecutive price cuts, fuel prices continue to remain at high levels following the resumption of daily price changes after a 20-day suspension of the system last month owing to the Karnataka elections.

End to relentless petrol, diesel price rise brings no joy as cuts minuscule

High fuel prices have burnt a hole in the common man's pockets. With mounting frustration, rates have been cut for the third consecutive day today. However, this is likely to be cold comfort for most given that the reduction in prices has been minuscule. Prices for petrol and diesel fell by 6 paise and 5 paise per litre, respectively, on Friday. After a one paisa cut in fuel prices, petrol prices across the four metros were cut on Thursday by seven paise a litre and diesel prices fell by five paise.

Petrol now costs Rs 78.29 per litre in Delhi, while the price of diesel has been revised to Rs 69.20 a litre. The revised Petrol prices in other metro cities are -- Rs 80.92 in Kolkata, Rs 86.10 in Mumbai, and Rs 81.28 in Chennai. The revised diesel prices are Rs 71.75 in Kolkata, Rs 73.67 in Mumbai, and 73.06 in Chennai.

How does this measure up against the previous hike in petrol prices? These cuts contrast against the nearly Rs 4 per litre rise in prices during May 14-29, with the daily hike in prices varying around 15-30 paise a litre. Similarly, diesel prices in all the four metros also were at record levels during the period.

A direct comparison of prices brings home the point. In the national capital on Thursday, petrol was sold at Rs 78.35 per litre, down from Rs 78.42 on Wednesday. Compared to Friday's prices, that is just a 13 paise difference in the favour of the consumer.