Cement companies have unveiled disappointing results for the December 2010 quarter. High raw material and fuel costs coupled with poor demand were the major reason for the poor show. Demand was barely 5.3 per cent in this period with the exception being October 2010 at 18 per cent. This, in turn, was largely due to restocking by agents following poor sales in the preceding four months. Growth in demand was hit by unseasonal rains, a slowdown in the southern region and poor offtake in the real estate sector. Demand in the Eastern region remained firm with a growth of 12 per cent largely due to speedy completion of infrastructure projects in Bihar ahead of the elections. The North was volatile with a fall of 8 per cent in November 2010 after a growth of 14 per cent in the preceding month. The West did relatively well with 15 per cent growth in October 2010 and November 2010. Capacity utilisation fell to 74 per cent in the third quarter from 84 per cent recorded in the same period last year due to 50 mt of new capacity.