Another headache for cement cos amid weak prices?
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The narrative for cement companies is shifting from pricing to cost trends. Cement prices have yet to significantly improve, and realizations have remained lacklustre.
Meanwhile, rising costs are adding pressure, raising concerns about profitability and future earnings. The market absorbed price increases undertaken by cement manufacturers towards the end of the December quarter (Q3FY25). So far in Q4FY25, all-India average cement prices have risen by ₹10 per bag, or 3%, sequentially to ₹326, according to an IIFL Securities dealer channel check.
This could offer some respite to Q4 earnings, particularly for pan-India cement players. Read this | Cement prices surged the most in northern India in Q3. Is there space for more? Region-wise, prices in northern and central India have risen by 5-6% sequentially in Q4-to-date, followed by western India, where prices are up 2.5%, according to an IIFL report dated 24 February.
However, southern and eastern India continue to face pricing pressure due to higher competition and weak demand, respectively. The March quarter (Q4) is typically a strong season for cement as construction activity picks up. However, significant price hikes in March seem unlikely, as companies tend to focus on pushing volumes to meet their annual sales targets.
Some markets may attempt increases of ₹5-15 per bag, but sustaining them could be difficult. While select markets may attempt price hikes in the range of ₹5-15 per bag in March, sustaining these may be challenging, said Elara Securities (India). Read this | India Inc’s dull earnings outlook signals tougher times ahead for markets “Historical trends also reflect this – Only one among the past three March months has
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