IEX Board gives in-principle nod to explore setting up Coal Exchange, shares up over 3%

The stock climbed as much as 3.52% to ₹124.1 apiece on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). At 2:22 pm, it was up 2.95% to ₹123.42 per share.

"We wish to inform that the Board of Directors of the Company, at its meeting held today, i.e., March 18, 2026, has accorded its in-principle approval to explore the business opportunity of establishing a Coal Exchange, in line with the proposed 'Coal Regulations 2025' issued by The Ministry of Coal," the company said in an exchange filing.

The firm said that it will make further disclosures upon the occurrence of subsequent events, in accordance with applicable regulations.

In February 2026, IEX recorded a monthly electricity traded volume of 12,550 million units (MU), reflecting a 30.4% surge on a year-on-year (YoY) basis. Around 18.86 lakh renewable energy certificates were traded in the reporting month, showing a 15.2% YoY increase.

In an exchange filing on March 5, IEX, citing government data, said that India's energy consumption reached 133 BUs, up 1.9% compared to the previous year.

"Despite the increase in energy consumption, prices on power exchanges were lower compared to previous year due to higher supply liquidity on the exchange platform. The market clearing Price in the Day Ahead Market at ₹3.58/unit during February’26, declined 18.3% YoY. Similarly, price in the Real time market at ₹3.59/unit during February '26, declined 18.7% YoY," it said.

The company had reported an 11.57% increase in its consolidated profit after tax to ₹115.08 crore in the December quarter of FY26, compared to ₹103.14 crore in the year-ago period.

Its revenue from operations stood at ₹143.9 crore in Q3 FY26, up 9.59% from ₹131.3 crore a year back.