Fuel And Input Costs Squeeze Cement Firms Despite Volume Growth
OIL & GAS

Fuel And Input Costs Squeeze Cement Firms Despite Volume Growth

Major cement companies reported robust volume growth in the June quarter but narrower margins as fuel and input costs rose. UltraTech Cement recorded consolidated net profit of Rs 26.04 billion (bn) and revenue of Rs 246.48 bn, with domestic sales up 13.1 per cent to 39.2 million tonnes (mn t). The pattern of double digit revenue growth alongside margin pressure was evident industry wide.\n\nAmbuja Cements registered a fall in profit after tax to Rs 6.60 bn as revenue declined 7.51 per cent to Rs 94.74 bn and sales fell 14 per cent to 17.1 mn t. The company attributed the weakness to a calibrated reduction in exposure to the non trade segment, exits from low profitability regions and delays in ramping up recently acquired assets. Executives said the firm was not chasing low return volume.\n\nShree Cement saw net profit drop to Rs 5.31 bn while revenue rose to Rs 62.33 bn and cement sales reached 10.23 mn t. Dalmia Bharat reported net profit of Rs 1.92 bn on higher exceptional items with revenue at Rs 38.90 bn and volumes at 7.6 mn t. Nuvoco Vistas posted profit growth to Rs 1.60 bn on revenue of Rs 31.29 bn and sales of 5.3 mn t.\n\nJK Lakshmi and Birla Corporation recorded profit declines to Rs 1.08 bn and Rs 1.16 bn respectively amid rising revenues of Rs 19.05 bn and Rs 26.46 bn. JSW Cement posted higher revenue of Rs 18.96 bn but operating EBITDA fell to Rs 2.99 bn as fuel, packing and marketing costs rose, even as sales climbed to 2.34 mn t. Analysts noted average prices had risen quarter on quarter but remained below year earlier levels.\n\nIndustry commentary suggested stable demand from infrastructure, housing and construction supported volumes, yet margin recovery remained elusive due to imported fuel, freight inflation and geopolitical developments in West Asia. Firms appeared to prioritise profitable volumes over growth in low return segments to protect margins. The quarter underlined that volume gains were insufficient to offset input cost pressures.

Major cement companies reported robust volume growth in the June quarter but narrower margins as fuel and input costs rose. UltraTech Cement recorded consolidated net profit of Rs 26.04 billion (bn) and revenue of Rs 246.48 bn, with domestic sales up 13.1 per cent to 39.2 million tonnes (mn t). The pattern of double digit revenue growth alongside margin pressure was evident industry wide.\n\nAmbuja Cements registered a fall in profit after tax to Rs 6.60 bn as revenue declined 7.51 per cent to Rs 94.74 bn and sales fell 14 per cent to 17.1 mn t. The company attributed the weakness to a calibrated reduction in exposure to the non trade segment, exits from low profitability regions and delays in ramping up recently acquired assets. Executives said the firm was not chasing low return volume.\n\nShree Cement saw net profit drop to Rs 5.31 bn while revenue rose to Rs 62.33 bn and cement sales reached 10.23 mn t. Dalmia Bharat reported net profit of Rs 1.92 bn on higher exceptional items with revenue at Rs 38.90 bn and volumes at 7.6 mn t. Nuvoco Vistas posted profit growth to Rs 1.60 bn on revenue of Rs 31.29 bn and sales of 5.3 mn t.\n\nJK Lakshmi and Birla Corporation recorded profit declines to Rs 1.08 bn and Rs 1.16 bn respectively amid rising revenues of Rs 19.05 bn and Rs 26.46 bn. JSW Cement posted higher revenue of Rs 18.96 bn but operating EBITDA fell to Rs 2.99 bn as fuel, packing and marketing costs rose, even as sales climbed to 2.34 mn t. Analysts noted average prices had risen quarter on quarter but remained below year earlier levels.\n\nIndustry commentary suggested stable demand from infrastructure, housing and construction supported volumes, yet margin recovery remained elusive due to imported fuel, freight inflation and geopolitical developments in West Asia. Firms appeared to prioritise profitable volumes over growth in low return segments to protect margins. The quarter underlined that volume gains were insufficient to offset input cost pressures.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Garuda Aerospace, Goa Partner to Train Women Drone Pilots

Garuda Aerospace has partnered with the Goa Information Technology Development Corporation (GITDC) and the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) to support the government’s broader ‘Drone Didi’ initiative in Goa.The programme aims to train 100 women every financial year and create 300 certified women drone pilots over three years, subject to statewide approval by DITE&C. The initiative seeks to strengthen rural livelihoods, encourage women-led entrepreneurship and develop a digitally skilled workforce.The first cohort of 12 women, recogni..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Bondada Group Hosts ‘Bharat Unbound’ for Young Entrepreneurs

Bondada Group recently hosted ‘Bharat Unbound – Celebrating the Freedom to Dream, Create & Lead’ in Hyderabad, bringing together students and young entrepreneurs to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience and emerging opportunities in India.Held at Bondada House as part of the Group’s Independence Day celebrations, the event featured a fireside conversation with Dr Bondada Raghavendra Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, Bondada Group. He shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey and discussed how young people can use their freedom to pursue ideas, create opportunit..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

REC Backs Six Mobile Medical Units in Chhattisgarh

REC Limited, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, has supported six Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) worth Rs 7.21 crore in Chhattisgarh to strengthen healthcare access in underserved areas.Chhattisgarh Governor Shri Ramen Deka recently flagged off the six MMUs at Lok Bhawan, Chhattisgarh. The ceremony was attended by Shri Satyaban Sahoo, Chief Project Manager, Regional Office Raipur, REC Limited, along with officials from REC Limited and the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Chhattisgarh.The mobile medical units are aimed at bridging healthcare gaps and improving last-mile de..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement