Centrum, a financial services firm, has reported that cement prices are likely to remain largely unchanged in July as weak demand during the monsoon season constrains pricing power. The report noted that construction activity remained subdued in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 owing to labour shortages and slower execution of government projects. While June showed some volume recovery driven by delayed monsoons and quarter end sales, dealers are cautious about sustaining any price increases.

The analysis suggested that seasonal slowdown related to monsoon will prolong demand and pricing challenges through the second quarter. Dealers saw most recent attempts at price hikes as protective measures rather than genuine shifts in market fundamentals. They signalled that pockets of demand in select regions could prompt isolated adjustments but that broad based increases were unlikely while construction activity remained weak. Market participants therefore expected a cautious stance on pricing.

The report highlighted that despite intermittent recovery in shipments during June, the underlying demand trajectory remained muted as monsoon hampered site level activity and logistics. Commercial builders and retail dealers both reported constrained order books and slower payment cycles, which in turn reduced room for margin expansion among manufacturers. Analysts noted that unless government project execution accelerates markedly, demand improvement would be gradual. Price setters were thus likely to focus on protecting market shares rather than pursuing aggressive increases.

Market watchers said the near term outlook would be shaped by monsoon progress and fiscal spending patterns, with any acceleration in public works offering the most tangible support. Traders expected that regional variations would persist and that trade flows between surplus and deficit centres would determine local price movements. The report concluded that stakeholders should prepare for a period of subdued pricing until demand signals strengthen.

Transformers and Rectifiers (India) Limited has received Notifications of Awards from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for multiple contracts to manufacture transformers and undertake associated works. The company submitted the disclosure to BSE and the National Stock Exchange under Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations. The submission cited security code 532928 and trading symbol TARIL, and the filings cite the award reference and confirm execution in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the notifications.

The contracts are described as an Ultra Mega Order under the company classification, indicating a value at or above Rs 10 billion (bn) on conversion. The filing identifies the contracts as domestic orders and specifies a scheduled delivery period of 30 months. The scope covers manufacturing of transformers of various ratings together with all associated work. The order size places it in the highest project classification defined in the company’s disclosure.

The disclosure states that the promoter group and group companies have no interest in the awarding entity and that the contracts do not constitute related party transactions. The company noted that the awards will be executed in the normal course of business and not fall within related party transactions. The document reiterates that the company is committed to delivering high quality products and services and has established itself as a leading manufacturer of transformers in the country over time.

Chief Financial Officer Mehul Shah authorised the filing and requested the exchanges to take the information on record, with the company providing the requisite filing reference in its submission. The company indicated that the orders will be executed as per the notifications of awards and the applicable regulatory framework. The original filing is available on the stock exchange portal at the provided link.

JK Cement is prioritising enhanced capacity utilisation and aggressive premiumisation to protect margins against cost inflation. The company is executing an expansion-led strategy to reach 50 million tonnes per annum (mn tpa) capacity by 2030, the annual report said.

Immediate priorities for FY27 include stabilising newly commissioned capacities, improving utilisation levels, expanding market reach in key regions and strengthening the portfolio of value added building materials. The joint managing director and chief executive officer, Madhavkrishna Singhania, said the company would focus on scaling digital enablement, embedding safety and accelerating its sustainability journey while maintaining operational discipline and financial prudence.

JK Cement has increased its grey cement capacity to 32.26 mn tpa. In FY26 grey cement capacity rose from 24.34 mn tpa to 32.26 mn tpa through the commissioning of the Buxar grinding unit (three mn tpa), capacity additions at Prayagraj, Hamirpur and Panna (one mn tpa each), and debottlenecking at Ujjain (zero point five mn tpa) and Muddapur (one mn tpa), together with the acquisition of a controlling stake in Saifco Cement (zero point four two mn tpa). These additions were delivered on time and within budget and strengthened the company’s presence across priority regions from Jammu and Kashmir to eastern and southern India, and grey cement volumes breached the 20 mn t milestone during the year under review.

The company is progressing with its medium term expansion roadmap and an integrated project at Jaisalmer comprising four mn clinker capacity and three mn cement capacity is advancing on schedule. Planned split grinding units in Rajasthan and Punjab are expected to improve market access and logistics efficiency in the region. Premiumisation remains a key strategic focus as the company aims to improve product mix, strengthen pricing discipline and narrow the realisation gap with larger peers. It also plans to expand its value added products business to include white cement, wall putty, construction chemicals, tile adhesives, grouts, paints and ready mix concrete after commissioning its first RMC plant at Noida, with plans to scale the business aggressively in coming years.