Railway PSU Stocks RVNL, IFCI, RailTel, IRCON: Which to Buy Ahead of Q2 FY26 Results?

As the Q2 FY26 earnings season kicks off, investors are closely watching the performance of Indian railway PSU stocks including RVNL, IFCI, RailTel, and IRCON. With nearly 200 companies scheduled to release results, these stocks are attracting attention due to government infrastructure projects and railway modernization initiatives.

Why PSU Railway Stocks Are in Focus

Union Cabinet approvals for four major railway projects worth ₹24,634 crore have spurred interest in railway PSU stocks. These projects aim to enhance freight handling capacity by 78.4 million tonnes across 18 districts in four states, covering lines in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

The projects include:

• 314 km Wardha–Bhusawal third and fourth lines

• 84 km Gondia–Dongargarh fourth line

• 259 km Vadodara–Ratlam third and fourth lines

• 237 km Itarsi–Bhopal–Bina fourth line

Q1 FY26 Performance Overview

RVNL (Rail Vikas Nigam Limited):

• Diversified portfolio: electrification, bridges, metro projects, and ₹90.65 crore video surveillance order

• JV with Texmaco Rail (51% stake) for rolling stock manufacturing

• Q1 net profit: ₹134.53 crore (down 39.9% YoY), revenue down 4%

• Long-term growth visible, but near-term margins subdued

RailTel:

• Q1 revenue: ₹744 crore (up 33%), net profit: ₹66 crore (up 36%)

• Healthy order book: ₹7,197 crore

• Key orders: ₹210 crore from Bihar Education Project Council, ₹166 crore from BSNL

• Focus: rural broadband, PM Gati Shakti, railway modernization

• Diversified revenue, strong pipeline, and planned capex of ₹350 crore make it a resilient pick

IRCON International Limited:

• PAT down 26.7% to ₹164.1 crore, revenue down 21.9%

• Massive order book: ₹20,973 crore, including ₹15,724 crore from railways

• Strategic MoUs with Coal India provide growth runway

• Execution delays pose near-term risks

IFCI:

• Primarily a financial institution with limited railway exposure

• Q1 turnaround noted, but negative capital adequacy and reliance on consolidation strategies limit railway-specific attractiveness

Which Railway PSU Stock to Buy?

According to research analysts:

• RailTel emerges as the most compelling pick for stability and growth, with strong Q1 performance, consistent order inflows, and alignment with government initiatives.

• RVNL and IRCON face near-term margin and execution challenges.

• IFCI shows a strong technical setup, having rallied 95% over three weeks and consolidated over 18 weeks. A breakout above ₹61 could propel it toward ₹80, according to technical analysis.

Analyst Insights:

• RailTel’s diversified revenue streams and manageable execution risk provide a strong near-term earnings momentum and sustainable long-term growth trajectory.

• IFCI’s bullish technical pattern indicates potential upside but carries higher volatility.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Investment decisions should be made in consultation with certified financial advisors.