Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) continues to chug along with strong financial performance and shareholder-friendly policies. In its latest announcement, the Railway PSU revealed its Q2FY25 results and declared an interim dividend of ₹4 per share for FY2024-25, much to the delight of its investors.

IRCTC’s total income rose to ₹1,123 crore for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, marking an impressive 8.1% year-on-year (YoY) growth from ₹1,039 crore in Q2FY24. Net profit also saw an uptick, rising 4.4% YoY to ₹307 crore compared to ₹294 crore in the corresponding period last year.

EBITDA for the quarter stood at ₹373 crore, edging slightly higher than the ₹367 crore reported in Q2FY24. While the EBITDA margin settled at 35%, it reflected a marginal dip of 190 basis points from the 36.9% reported in the same quarter last year.

To reward its shareholders, IRCTC declared an interim dividend of ₹4 per equity share, equivalent to 200% of its face value of ₹2 each. This payout amounts to a total of ₹320 crore. The record date for this dividend has been fixed for November 14, 2024—a crucial date for investors seeking to benefit from this payout.

Zooming out to the half-year performance, IRCTC’s total income surged to ₹2,292 crore, reflecting a 10.24% increase compared to ₹2,079 crore in H1FY24. EBIT for the period rose sharply to ₹615 crore, up from ₹526 crore in the previous year, showcasing strong operational capabilities and strategic growth initiatives.

Despite robust financials, IRCTC’s shares faced headwinds during the intraday session on November 4, 2024. The stock dipped 1.89% on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), closing at ₹816.20 per share, down from its opening price of ₹834.25. The company’s market capitalization remains a hefty ₹65,296 crore, cementing its stature as a key player in the BSE 200 index.