Cement: Profit pressure continues in Q4

Realisations still below pre-note-ban levels

During the December quarter, India’s leading cement players saw sales volumes come under stress. While ACC and Ambuja Cements saw sales volume decline eight-nine per cent year-on-year, UltraTech’s was down about two per cent. Among others, regional companies such as J K Cement reported a 5.8 per cent fall in sales volume. Among the exceptions were Shree Cement and J K Lakshmi Cement, where capacity expansions helped push up volumes, and south-based cement players such as India Cements and Ramco Cements, which saw project-driven demand driving sales.

The positive news is, the demand is recovering post note ban and helping