Cement prices rise for second consecutive month

Cement prices rose for the second straight month but remained lower than a year ago in May, usually a busy month for construction ahead of the monsoon season. All-India cement prices rose by Rs 11 a bag over the previous month in May. Price hike ahead of the monsoon is a usual phenomenon as much of the infrastructure activity kicks in during this time (before the rains). Volume push by companies to show higher growth ahead of the financial year has weighed on the trend.