Introduction
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), a name that spells power, profit, and progress in India’s corporate scenario, initially started off as a small textile company. Today, it ranks among the most valuable companies of India belonging to sectors like petrochemicals, telecom, retail, digital services, and a range of others. What really makes Reliance’s success story goose-bump worthy is the close association it shares with the Indian stock market.
Back in the Day
Dhirubhai Ambani founded Reliance in 1966 as a small yarn trading venture. Going against the grain, Reliance held its IPO in 1977 when equity investments remained the preserve of the privileged.
The IPO changed the game for Indian investors. Uppity offers of shares, it was an invitation for the common man to join corporate India in its growth story. More than 58,000 investors subscribed to the IPO, which was mind-boggling for those times.
Interesting Fact: An investor who bought 100 shares of Reliance in its IPO and retained it through all the bonuses and splits would today hold over 6,75,000 shares!
Reliance’s Stock Market Journey
From being listed in 1977 to becoming the first firm in India to break the market capital barrier of ₹1 trillion in 2007, Reliance has mesmerized the markets with many.
1. Wealth Creation on a Consistent Basis
Considered one of the major wealth creators of India, Reliance has rewarded investors year-by-year through bonus issues, stock splits, and increase share prices. Three-fourths of the reports have stated that Reliance has provided CAGR returns to long-term investors to the tune of 18 to 20% and beyond.
2. Diversification with a Strategy
While many companies stick to their core industries, Reliance broke through to diversified business areas:
- Petrochemicals & Refining – Formerly the chief cash generator.
- Reliance Jio – Commencing operations in 2016, it entered the Indian telecom market offering free data and calling, acquiring millions of users within months.
- Retail Business – Currently, Reliance Retail is the largest retail company in India.
- Reliance Digital & Jio Platforms – They attracted tech giants from across the world, with Facebook and Google joining as investors.
- No new business stood just successful – it fueled Reliance’s market valuation like none other.
Reliance During Market Volatility
Reliance stock had served as a stabilizer in the Indian stock market:
- During the COVD-19 crash, the stock fell to about ₹875 in March 2020 and then rallied from the lows, crossing ₹2,000 by the end of the year.
- Such stock movements would only enhance mutual funds’ buying appetite including FIIs and retail investors.
Mukesh Ambani’s Leadership
Following Dhirubhai Ambani’s passing in 2002, Mukesh Ambani took charge. Under his vision:
- Reliance became debt-free in record time after raising more than ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2020.
- Shifted focus towards emerging sectors such as green energy and digital platforms.
His focus on innovation, scalability, and investor confidence elevated Reliance to a blue-chip stock-that-beacon for Sensex and Nifty.
Reliance Share Performance (Highlights)
| Year | Share Price (Approx.) | Major Milestone |
| 2000 | ₹27.50 | New business expansion |
| 2010 | ₹500 | Refining growth |
| 2016 | ₹525 | Launch of Jio |
| 2020 | ₹1,000 | Became debt-free |
| 2023 | ₹1,250+ | Green energy push |
| 2024 | ₹1,400+ (Pre-split ₹2,800+) | Expansion in AI & tech partnerships |
| 2025 | ₹1,525+ (Post-split trading) | Strong retail and Jio Financial growth |
Why Investors Place Confidence in Reliance
- Strong Promotions: The visionary decisions put forth by Mr. Dhirubhai and Mr. Mukesh Ambani.
- Varied Portfolio: From oils to digital, ensuring stable revenue.
- High Institutional Holding: Enjoying strong backing from both Indian and foreign institutions.
- Regular Payback of Dividends: Policies which are pro-shareholder.
Conclusion
The success story of Reliance Industries is not just about building a business empire; it is about engendering investor confidence, generating wealth, and shaping the Indian stock market. From the days of IPO to now a global behemoth, Reliance has stamped its recognition as one of the emblems of India’s economic potential.
To investors, Reliance is not just a stock but the lesson of vision, patience, and long-term wealth creation.