March 2024 Results Preview | Sector: Cement
Cement
Result Preview
Robust volume growth; weak cement prices led to earnings cut
Estimate volume growth of ~10% YoY for coverage universe in 4QFY24
Company
ACC
Ambuja Cements
Birla Corporation
Dalmia Bharat
Grasim Industries
India Cements
JK Cement
JK Lakshmi Cement
The Ramco Cements
Shree Cement
UltraTech Cement
We estimate our coverage universe to report strong volume growth of 10% YoY
(three-year CAGR at ~8%) in 4QFY24. Further, we estimate average capacity
utilization of ~93% vs. ~91%/79% in 4QFY23/3QFY24. However, cement price
corrected across regions in 4Q and the all-India average cement price was down
~7% (down INR25 per 50-kg bag) QoQ. We estimate blended realization for our
coverage universe to decline ~3%/4% YoY/QoQ.
Given the sharp price correction in 4QFY24, we estimate average EBITDA/t to
decline ~12% QoQ to INR990 (vs. our earlier estimate of INR1,100), which would
partly be offset by positive operating leverage and favorable fuel prices.
Aggregate EBITDA is estimated to increase 24% YoY, while OPM is expected to
improve by 2.6pp YoY to 18.2%.
GRASIM’s revenue is estimated to decline 3% YoY. VSF volume is estimated to
increase 5% YoY, while realization is estimated to decline 6% YoY (up ~1% QoQ).
Chemical segment volume is estimated to increase 6% YoY, while realization
could decline by 20% YoY. We expect the company’s EBITDA to increase 20%
YoY and EBITDA margin to improve 1.6pp YoY to 8%. Adjusted PAT is estimated
to grow 80% YoY.
Volume strong; however, weak pricing drive EBITDA/t reduction QoQ
Following a moderate growth in 3QFY24, cement volumes experienced a
significant surge in 4QFY24, driven by robust demand from infrastructure, real-
estate, and a pick-up in private capex. We estimate a ~15% YoY volume growth
for JKCE, followed by ~11-12% for ACC, ACEM, BCORP, DALBHARA, and UTCEM,
~7-8% for SRCM, TRCL, and JKLC while, ICEM’s volume is estimated to remain
flat.
However, cement prices have undergone a correction across regions in 4QFY24.
The East and South regions witnessed the highest decline of ~8-9% QoQ,
followed by the North and West regions with a ~7% and Central India with ~3%
decline. We estimate the blended realization for our coverage universe to
decline by ~3%/4% YoY/QoQ.
Average Opex/t for our coverage universe is estimated to decline 6% YoY (down
3% QoQ), supported by reduction in input material cost. We estimate average
variable cost/t to decline INR314/t YoY (a decline of INR67/t QoQ).
ACC and JKCE are estimated to report strong YoY EBITDA growth at ~74-75%.
EBITDA is estimated to grow 45% YoY for BCORP, 27-28% YoY for JKLC and
SRCM, and 13-18% for ACEM, DALBHARA, and UTCEM. EBITDA is likely to
decline 3% YoY for TRCL. ICEM is likely to report EBITDA of INR475m vs.
operating loss of INR445m in 4QFY23.
We expect EBITDA/t of INR1,218 for SRCM (the highest in our coverage
universe), followed by INR1,133 for JKCE and INR1,069/INR1,038 for UTCEM/
ACEM. EBITDA/t is estimated to fall within the range of INR790-970 for ACC,
BCORP, DALBHARA, JKLC, and TRCL, with INR171 for ICEM.
Sanjeev Kumar Singh - Research analyst
(Sanjeev.Singh@MotilalOswal.com)
Mudit Agarwal - Research analyst
(Mudit.Agarwal@MotilalOswal.com)
January 2023
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Investors are advised to refer through important disclosures made at the last page of the Research Report.
Motilal Oswal research is available on www.motilaloswal.com/Institutional-Equities, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Factset and S&P Capital.