UltraTech Cement Q3 net profit grows 67 % to Rs 1,774.7 cr; domestic sales up

UltraTech Cement Ltd on Friday reported a 67 per cent jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,774.78 crore for the December quarter, helped by lower fuel and raw material costs as well as higher sales and operational efficiencies.
The leading cement maker posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,062.58 crore in the year-ago period, according to a regulatory filing.
Its revenue from operations rose 7.85 per cent to Rs 16,739.97 crore during the period. It was Rs 15,520.93 crore in the corresponding period a year ago.
It reported the “highest-ever quarterly profit after tax” in the December quarter, a company’s earnings statement said. UltraTech’s total expenses increased 2.88 per cent to Rs 14,531.04 crore during the quarter under review.
The total income of the Aditya Birla Group firm, which includes other income, grew 7.87 per cent to Rs 16,880.45 crore in the December quarter.
During the quarter under review, its domestic sales volume climbed 5 per cent and the company reported a capacity utilisation of 77 per cent.
Its sales volume stood at 26.06 million metric tonnes (MT), including grey cement at 25.44 MT.
“Domestic grey cement sales volume rose 5 per cent Y-o-Y (Year-on-Year) and 1 per cent Q-o-Q (Quarter-on-Quarter), respectively. Improved operational efficiencies, coupled with lower fuel and raw material costs resulted in improved EBITDA margins,” it said.
The company’s logistics cost “decreased 2 per cent Y-o-Y” in the December quarter and its energy cost also “decreased 16 per cent” Y-o-Y.
However, the raw material cost increased 3 per cent Y-o-Y because of gypsum and slag.
The company’s 24 per cent power requirements were met through green power sources, it said, adding that UltraTech is moving towards the use of 85 per cent green power by the end of 2030.