Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was up 256.74 points, or 1.53%, to 17,008.47.
On BSE, 8.89 lakh shares were traded in the counter as against an average daily volume of 5.56 lakh shares in the past one quarter.
The stock hit a high of Rs 94.40 and a low of Rs 87.90 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 103.65 on 6 September 2011 and a 52-week low of Rs 55.65 on 28 February 2011.
The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month until 23 January 2012, gaining 10.91% compared with the Sensex's 6.44% rise. The scrip had, however, underperformed the market in past one quarter, falling 4.38% as against 0.20% fall in the Sensex.
India's third largest listed telecom firm by sales has an equity capital of Rs 3307.43 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.
Idea Cellular announced its results during trading hours on Monday, 23 January 2012, when the stock jumped 3.68% to Rs 87.40. The stock is up 10.97% in two sessions from Rs 84.30 on Friday, 20 January 2012.
Idea Cellular's consolidated net profit jumped 90.03% to Rs 200.98 crore on 8.95% increase in net sales to Rs 5020.37 crore in Q3 December 2011 over Q2 September 2011.
Idea Cellular said that while 8% sequential quarterly revenue growth brings back cheers to the company, the business outlook remains a paradox due to a combination of tailwinds with strong customer traction and headwinds emerging from uncertain regulatory interventions and macro-economic environment.
In Q3 December 2011, strong revenue growth was primarily led by seasonal return of minute's growth to 114 billion, a growth of 7.3%, compared to Q2 September 2011. The minutes volume expansion was supported by high 7.5 million net VLR subscriber additions during Q3 December 2011 against 3.2 million in Q2 September 2011. Idea continues its unblemished record of highest active subscriber ratio of 92.3% as per TRAI (November 2011). The 106.4 million quality subscribers provide it the platform for accelerated future growth in Voice, VAS and Wireless broadband and related telecom services.
The company maintains the upward trend of Average Realisation Per Minute (ARPM) from 42.7 paise in Q2 September 2011 to 43.3 paise in Q3 December 2011. ARPM improvement was led by higher VAS contribution (13.2% in Q2 September 2011 to 13.7% in Q3 December 2011) and roaming revenue, while voice rate realisation remained flat.
The revenue growth has translated into EBITDA (earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization) margin improvement by 1.2% over previous quarter, at 23.7%. On a year-on-year basis absolute EBITDA has grown to Rs 1198.60 crore (Q3 December 2011 ) in comparison to Rs 821.40 crore (Q3 December 2010).
The company said its 3G investment plans are on track and high speed broadband services are now available across 2,300 towns in 20 service areas (including roaming arrangements) in India. This quarter company introduced affordable Idea branded 3G Smart-phones starting from Rs 5,850 onwards thereby helping Idea's 106 million subscribers to move to the new exciting digital age.
The company has improved its competitive standing to 14% revenue market share and extended its mobile number portability leadership with net gain of 2.2 million customers (as on 14 January, 2012) from other existing operators.
The company is confident to overcome the current uncertain regulatory phase, emerge stronger, consolidate its position in telecom voice market and participate aggressively in evolving wireless broadband business.