UltraTech Cement slips after weak Q4 outcome

UltraTech Cement fell 2.52% to Rs 1,878.75 at 15:30 IST on BSE after net profit fell 16.26% to Rs 726 crore on 1.03% increase in net sales to Rs 5389 crore in Q4 March 2013 over Q4 March 2012.

The result was announced during trading hours today, 22 April 2013.

Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was up 153.37 points, or 0.81%, to 19,169.83.

On BSE, 12,535 shares were traded in the counter compared with average volume of 5,261 shares over the past two weeks.

The stock hit a high of Rs 1,928 and a low of Rs 1,861 so far during the day.

UltraTech Cement's profit before interest, depreciation and tax (PBIDT) fell 5.53% to Rs 1383 crore in Q4 March 2013 over Q4 March 2012.

The combined cement and clinker sales of grey cement remained flat at 11.13 million metric tonnes (MMT) in Q4 March 2013 over Q4 March 2012, while for white cement it was 1.56 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in Q4 March 2013, down 4.29% compared with 1.63 LMT in Q4 March 2012.

The company's net profit rose 8.54% to Rs 2655 crore on 10.24% increase in net sales to Rs 20018 crore in the year ended March 2013 (FY13) over the year ended March 2012 (FY12). PBIDT rose 10.20% to Rs 4980 crore in FY13 over FY12.

The combined cement and clinker sales of grey cement remained flat at 40.7 MMT in FY13 over FY12, while for white cement it was 5.7 LMT in FY13, up 1.79% compared with 5.6 LMT in FY12.

UltraTech Cement said the year witnessed continuing pressure on input and logistics costs, given the increase in railway freight and hike in diesel prices though there was some relief on account of softening in prices of imported coal.

The company said its board recommended a dividend of Rs 9 per share.

The company said it has initiated projects across many of its locations. With commissioning of these projects and other projects in the pipeline, the company's cement capacity will rise to 61.45 MMT.

In its outlook, UltraTech Cement said long term cement demand is likely to grow over 8% in line with GDP growth. The value drivers for growth will continue to be housing demand and infrastructure development.

UltraTech Cement is the largest selling single brand cement in India and the largest cement clinker exporter. UltraTech's products include ordinary portland cement, portland pozzolana cement and portland blast furnace slag cement.

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