Ambuja Cements consolidated Q4 PAT at Rs 947 cr, up 71% YoY on higher sales

Net sales up 23% to Rs 7,715 crore as special product volumes grew lending support to the topline

Ambuja Cements reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 947 crore in the March quarter, up 71 per cent from same period last year, on the back of higher sales even as tax expenses rose considerably.

Net sales of the company stood at Rs 7,715 crore in the period under review, up 23 per cent from same period last year as special product volumes grew lending support to the topline.

The consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and ammortisation (EBITDA) margin in the March quarter stood at 24.1 percent as against 19.4 percent in the same period last year, said the company release.

Tax expense of the company in the period under review stood at Rs 413.34 crore as against Rs 264 crore in the corresponding period last year.

“Despite strong and continuing headwinds on input prices including coal, petcoke and diesel, we have made significant progress on efficiency improvement that has had a positive impact on cost evolution,” Neeraj Akhoury, chief executive officer for LafargeHolcim and managing director and chief executive officer at Ambuja Cements was quoted as saying.

India demand growth has been strong in the last quarter, which has also helped the sales volume growth and commercial performance, he added.

On capex front, the company's upcoming facility in Marwar Mundwa, Rajasthan will enhance clinker capacity by 3 MTPA and help improve cement sales by 5 MTPA. The company, meanwhile, is progressing on its ambition to reach 50 million tonne in the mid-term.

The project is scheduled to commence operations in Oct-Dec quarter of FY21, said the company.

Going ahead, the company remains cautiously optimistic amid the strong second Covid-19 wave hitting the country.

Though the second wave of pandemic warrants caution, the increased vaccination drive combined with the various stimulus proposals provided in the Union Budget 2021 and accommodative monetary and fiscal policies are expected to support economic recovery in the medium term, said Ambuja.

Rural demand is likely to remain resilient on a good projection for the agriculture sector.

"We would like to remain cautiously optimistic for the year," said the company.

Meanwhile, the company has also put in place a 24X7 COVID-19 crisis control room and are facilitating vaccination for all eligible employees and their families.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to take all necessary actions to ensure the health and safety of our employees and communities. Our Plants are continuing to operate under strict COVID protocols,” informed Ambuja Cements.