Despite good demand cement prices to stay down until mid-year
Cement

Despite good demand cement prices to stay down until mid-year

Prabhudas Lilladher, anticipates an 8-9% growth in cement sector volumes from April to March 2024-25, followed by over 10% growth the following year. However, prices are expected to remain subdued until after the monsoon season.

Tushar Chaudhari, a Research Analyst at the brokerage firm, holds a positive outlook on large-cap cement companies such as UltraTech Cement and Ambuja Cements.

Chaudhari highlights the aggressive strategies and cost efficiencies of these companies, along with capacity expansions to meet rising demand. He expects them to secure a significant market share in the future, although smaller companies may struggle unless demand and pricing improve further.

While UltraTech shares have seen a year-to-date decline of over 2%, Ambuja has experienced a gain of more than 16%.

Demand for cement has been gradually improving, with a rebound in growth seen in February and March after a weak January due to weather conditions and pollution-related restrictions.

Despite attempts to raise prices in April and May, weak demand led to price reductions. Although some regions, particularly in the North and Central areas, saw slight price increases of Rs 5-10, an overall weakness persists.

Post-monsoon, as demand picks up significantly as companies are expected to resume price hikes.

The EBITDA per tonne are forecasted to improve by the second half of FY25 to over Rs 1,000 for most leading companies.

South-based companies like Ramco Cement and Sagar Cements are also to benefit from recent political developments, with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pledging to reinstate Amaravati as the capital city.

Brokerage firm Jefferies predicts a potential price hike for June following the conclusion of elections. The expected impact of weak prices and volume on EBITDA per tonne in the first quarter is said to be partially offset by lower variable costs.

(Source: CNBCTV18)

Prabhudas Lilladher, anticipates an 8-9% growth in cement sector volumes from April to March 2024-25, followed by over 10% growth the following year. However, prices are expected to remain subdued until after the monsoon season. Tushar Chaudhari, a Research Analyst at the brokerage firm, holds a positive outlook on large-cap cement companies such as UltraTech Cement and Ambuja Cements. Chaudhari highlights the aggressive strategies and cost efficiencies of these companies, along with capacity expansions to meet rising demand. He expects them to secure a significant market share in the future, although smaller companies may struggle unless demand and pricing improve further. While UltraTech shares have seen a year-to-date decline of over 2%, Ambuja has experienced a gain of more than 16%. Demand for cement has been gradually improving, with a rebound in growth seen in February and March after a weak January due to weather conditions and pollution-related restrictions. Despite attempts to raise prices in April and May, weak demand led to price reductions. Although some regions, particularly in the North and Central areas, saw slight price increases of Rs 5-10, an overall weakness persists. Post-monsoon, as demand picks up significantly as companies are expected to resume price hikes. The EBITDA per tonne are forecasted to improve by the second half of FY25 to over Rs 1,000 for most leading companies. South-based companies like Ramco Cement and Sagar Cements are also to benefit from recent political developments, with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pledging to reinstate Amaravati as the capital city. Brokerage firm Jefferies predicts a potential price hike for June following the conclusion of elections. The expected impact of weak prices and volume on EBITDA per tonne in the first quarter is said to be partially offset by lower variable costs. (Source: CNBCTV18)

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Panel Urges Zone-Wise Freight Plans and Crew Strengthening

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has urged the Railway Ministry to prepare zone-wise plans to enhance freight traffic in regions with limited mineral movement and industrial activity, according to its ninth report tabled in Parliament on 10 August. The Committee commended efforts to augment network capacity through multitracking, operationalisation of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) and modernisation of yards. It noted that the Ministry has said periodic data-driven assessments are carried out with inputs from Zonal Railways, Divisional Railways and Business Development Units to support po..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Coal India Weighs Buying Wealth Minerals Unit For Chile Lithium

Coal India Limited is evaluating a proposal to acquire the Chilean lithium assets held by the Wealth Minerals unit in Canada as part of a strategic move into battery materials. The company is assessing the asset portfolio, regulatory landscape and integration challenges while retaining coal operations as its core business. The potential interest reflects a shift by a state-owned miner towards minerals critical to the low emission transition. Wealth Minerals, a Canada-based exploration company, holds licences and exploration agreements in Chile that involve hard rock and brine lithium prospects..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Bajel Projects Wins Ultra?Mega Transmission Line Contract

Bajel Projects Limited has secured an Ultra?Mega engineering, procurement and construction order for a transmission line package TL05 from PowerGrid Corporation of India Limited on behalf of its special purpose vehicle. The award forms part of the Western Region–Eastern Region inter?regional network expansion scheme Part A procured under the tariff based competitive bidding route. The contract covers construction of a 765 kV double circuit transmission line. The scope includes bypassing of the Raigarh (Tamnar)–Dharamjaygarh (Sec?B) 765 kV double circuit line and reconfiguration to form the..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement