As per industry reports, it is expected that the earning growth of the top five cement companies-UltraTech Cement, ACC, Ambuja Cements, Ramco Cements and Grasim Industries-are likely to be in the range of 25-30 per cent for the quarter ending 31 March, 2014. This is basically due to lower cement offtakes and realisations.
During the January-March 2014 quarter, cement prices [all over India] showed an increase of 4.45 per cent, reaching Rs 305 per bag with a hike of 50 kg on a YoY basis. In the northern region, the per 50 kg cement bag price moved up to Rs 316. This was mainly due to the closure of Binani Cement´s Rajasthan plant and Ambuja Cements´ Himachal Pradesh plant. Industry analysts point to the steady demand in the western region and subdued demand in the east. Cement prices have increased by Rs 20 per 50 kg bag in Gujarat.