New Delhi, Nov 4 (PTI) JK Lakshmi Cement on Wednesday reported 74.66 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at

New Delhi, Nov 4 (PTI) JK Lakshmi Cement on Wednesday reported 74.66 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at

New Delhi, Nov 4 (PTI) JK Lakshmi Cement on Wednesday reported 74.66 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at

New Delhi, Nov 4 (PTI) JK Lakshmi Cement on Wednesday reported 74.66 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 20.43 crore for September quarter FY27.

     The company had logged a net profit of Rs 80.63 crore in July-September period a year ago, according to a regulatory filing from JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd (JKLC), a flagship company of JK Organisation.

     Revenue from operations was up at Rs 1,616.92 crore as against Rs 1,531.77 crore in the corresponding period last year. Total expenses were higher by 10 per cent at Rs 1,598.29 crore.

     Sales volume was up 5 per cent to 2.98 million tonne in the second quarter of FY27. Total income, which includes other income, was higher by 4.66 per cent to Rs 1,626.88 crore.

     During April-September FY27, total consolidated income of JKLC was at Rs 3,547.09 crore, up 6.9 per cent.

     The company said it is undertaking a capital expenditure of Rs 3,325 crore at its Durg plant in Chhattisgarh, comprising a Rs 325-crore railway siding project and a Rs 3,000-crore capacity expansion programme.

     The railway siding project, being funded through debt of Rs 225 crore and the remaining amount through internal accruals, has already completed its first phase.

     Separately, the company is expanding its clinkerisation capacity by 2.3 million tonne per annum (MTPA) and adding three grinding units with a combined cement capacity of 4.6 MTPA.

     “The project is likely to cost Rs 3,000 crore which would be funded by a mix of debt & internal accruals. The entire project is expected to be completed by March 2028,” it said.

     Over the outlook, the company said the cement demand is expected to improve in the second half , supported by the onset of the peak construction season.

     “However, elevated petcoke prices and geopolitical uncertainties are likely to keep fuel, freight and packaging costs under pressure,” it said.

     While manufacturers are expected to pursue price increases, intense competition may restrict cost passthrough.

     “Consequently, margins are likely to remain under pressure, with recovery dependent on improved price realisations, input cost moderation and operational efficiencies,” it said.

     Shares of JKLC on Wednesday settled at Rs 480 per scrip on BSE, down 0.95 per cent from the previous close.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)