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Ready for the juggler’s act?

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Trade pundits had predicted a slow season for cement in the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to a decrease in construction activities. While cement companies were forewarned, what they did not expect was a severe cost inflation to make a grand entrance. This has negatively affected the profit margins for the September quarter. Increased input costs and straggling prices caused the tectonic plates of market dynamics to clash, resulting in a disheartening quarterly performance.
But the industry is not one to let setbacks derail its momentum. Most cement companies reported multi-year low margins, in terms of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) per tonne. However, once the monsoon season was behind us, and construction restarted in earnest, they were quick to recover. The following quarter is witnessing a rise in cement prices across the country, excepting parts of central India. Although the market response has not been as enthusiastic as it was in the previous year’s festive period, certain corrections are definitely being made. One of the important factors of these economic corrections is softening of input prices such as coal and pet coke. This combined with increase in cement prices can translate into a positive outlook for the cement sector in the current quarter. However, there is the big bull’ called ‘demand’ still to contend with! Softening of input costs and rising cement prices aren’t enough to bring the margins out of the red. The third ball that cement companies have to juggle with is the demand for cement.
To understand the demand quotient, we need to look at the socio-political scenario of our country. With the next general elections looming in 2024, the central government is likely to expedite several turnkey projects like the ones under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)-Gramin. With the government likely to allocate an additional Rs.28,000 crore for the flagship rural housing programme, the social-political ball in this juggling act is likely to be the top most. Moreover, as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, there is the energy price volatility to contend with. And with that we have another ball to juggle!
Cement stocks’ performance largely depends on the growth of the economy as they are cyclical in nature. Cement companies are investing heavily in capex, thereby boosting the investor’s confidence.
With our expert eyes focussed on the economic trends of the cement industry, we are optimistically watching cement companies perform a juggling act by keeping the balls of input costs, demand, prices and socio-political influences, firmly in the air.

Concrete

Ramco Cements Campaign Wins Six Kyoorius Honours

Hard Worker campaign wins Grand Prix for Eco Plaster film

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The Ramco Cements Limited’s Hard Worker campaign has achieved a major milestone at the prestigious Kyoorius Creative Awards, winning six honours including the coveted Grey Elephant Grand Prix for the Eco Plaster film. The awards were announced and presented at the Kyoorius Creative Awards Night 2026 held on 23rd May 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

Competing alongside some of the country’s leading brands and agencies, the campaign received recognition across multiple creative categories, reaffirming the power of authentic storytelling rooted in the lives of hardworking people. The Eco Plaster commercial, which highlighted the importance of water conservation through innovative construction solutions, emerged as the campaign’s biggest winner, securing most of the honours.

The campaign’s wins include: 
Grey Elephant (Grand Prix) – Eco Plaster 
Blue Elephant – Best Film – Eco Plaster
Blue Elephant – Best Direction – Eco Plaster
Blue Elephant – Best Music – Eco Plaster
Baby Elephant – Best Direction -Tortoise & Hare
Baby Elephant – Best Use of Humour – Eco Plaster

Established in 2014, the Kyoorius Creative Awards recognise and celebrate creative excellence across India’s advertising, marketing and communications industries. Presented by Zee Entertainment Enterprises and powered by the USA-based The Clio Awards, the awards are regarded among the country’s most respected creative honours.

Known for their ethical and neutral judging process, the Kyoorius Creative Awards evaluate work purely on merit through a non-hierarchical awards structure, without Gold, Silver or Bronze distinctions. The iconic Elephant symbolises memorable work that leaves a lasting impact on the industry.

The Hard Worker campaign by The Ramco Cements Limited was conceived around the insight that true strength and progress are built through everyday hard work. Through emotionally resonant storytelling, distinctive craft and culturally rooted narratives, the campaign connected strongly with audiences across markets. The integrated campaign was rolled out across television, digital platforms, outdoor media and extensive on-ground activations, helping strengthen the brand’s connect with consumers, engineers, masons and trade communities alike.

Commenting on the achievement, A V Dharmakrishnan, CEO of Ramco Cements, said: “Winning at the Kyoorius Creative Awards is a proud moment for all of us. The Hard Worker campaign was created as a tribute to the spirit of hardworking people who form the backbone of our industry and our nation. These recognitions reaffirm our belief that authentic, meaningful storytelling has the power to create a deep and lasting connection with people.”

Balaji K Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, Ramco Cements, added: “The Hard Worker campaign was built on a simple but powerful insight – that hard work deserves recognition and respect. We wanted the communication to feel rooted, emotional and culturally relevant while also pushing creative boundaries. Winning six honours, including the Grey Elephant Grand Prix, is a tremendous validation of the idea, the craft and the collaborative effort of everyone involved in the campaign.”

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Concrete

GP Petroleums Q4 PAT Rises 8%

Lubricant maker reports Rs 9.3 crore profit in Q4FY26

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GP Petroleums reported an 8 per cent rise in PAT to Rs 9.3 crore in Q4FY26, compared to Rs 8.6 crore in Q4FY25. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 163 crore, compared to Rs 183 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

EBITDA for Q4FY26 increased to Rs 14.7 crore from Rs 13.2 crore in Q4FY25, while EBITDA margin improved to 9 per cent from 7 per cent. The company said its performance was supported by operational efficiencies, strong customer relationships and an expanding product portfolio.

For FY26, revenue from operations rose 5 per cent to Rs 643 crore, compared to Rs 610 crore in FY25. EBITDA stood at Rs 44.7 crore, against Rs 42 crore in the previous year. PAT was Rs 26.50 crore, marginally higher than Rs 26.30 crore in FY25.

The company said FY26 PAT was impacted by a wage provision of Rs 3.25 crore, representing about 12 per cent of PAT. GP Petroleums continues to see opportunities in industrial lubricants, process oils and premium automotive lubricants, though geopolitical developments and crude-linked raw material cost volatility may pose short-to-medium-term challenges.

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Concrete

Ramky Infra Order Book Crosses Rs 13,000 Crore

New order wins support resilient FY2026 performance

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Ramky Infrastructure reported a resilient FY2026 performance, supported by disciplined execution, cost efficiency and fresh order wins. The company secured new orders worth Rs 4,500 crore during Q4, taking its total order book above Rs 13,000 crore as of 31 March 2026.

Consolidated PAT grew 40 per cent year-on-year to Rs 283 crore in FY2026, compared to Rs 202 crore in FY2025. Standalone PAT rose 28 per cent to Rs 332 crore, while consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,846 crore. Standalone revenue from operations was Rs 1,679 crore.

During the year, the company secured orders worth Rs 6,500 crore across water, wastewater and industrial infrastructure. Key wins included a Rs 3,000 crore industrial park project from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation for a 1,000-hectare land parcel at Dighi Port Industrial Area, Maharashtra.

Ramky also secured a Rs 2,100 crore water and wastewater project from Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board for water transmission lines, and a Rs 1,400 crore EPC contract from Maharashtra Industrial Township Limited for the Dighi Port Industrial Area project.

The company generated Rs 160 crore through asset monetisation and Rs 165 crore through the stake sale of a stabilised asset, supporting equity requirements for new projects. The Board also recommended a final dividend of 10 per cent of the nominal value per share, subject to members’ approval.

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