Shares of Reliance Industries climbed as much as 5% in early trade on Friday, after the country's most valuable company topped quarterly profit estimates on strong demand in its retail and telecom units.

Reliance Industries Ltd on Thursday reported a 7.4 per cent rise in its December quarter net profit as retail business rebounded, telecom earnings surged on higher tariffs and mainstay oil and petrochemicals business delivered consistent performance.

Reliance Industries reported a better-than-expected third-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by strong demand in its retail segment, and as higher telecom tariffs and a rise in 5G subscribers boosted the telecom unit.