The projections in the cement industry are mixed. Prices and demand remained muted in the third quarter (October & November) and short term uptick doesn't seem likely. However, the second quarter of the financial year 2026 (Q2FY26) was good year-on-year (Y-o-Y) for many cement majors aided by base effect, and some analysts expect acceleration in earnings and volume in the next financial year, again aided by base effect.
Delhi Police busted two illegal units manufacturing counterfeit cement in the city's northeastern areas and arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the racket.
Indian cement manufacturers, despite a stable Q4FY26, are bracing for significant profitability pressures from Q1FY27 onwards due to escalating input costs, primarily driven by the West Asia conflict's impact on coal and petcoke prices.
UltraTech Cement, an Aditya Birla group company, has become the world's largest cement producer outside China, surpassing 200 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of installed capacity in India. The company plans to invest Rs 16,000 crore to reach a target capacity of 240 mtpa by the financial year 2027-28.
Five tribal farmers in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, consumed poison to protest inadequate compensation for land acquired by a cement company. They are hospitalised and in stable condition as authorities investigate their claims.
With another quarter of steady growth in demand, cement companies are expected to report strong year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in earnings, according to analysts. The September quarter (Q2FY24) also witnessed a resumption of price hikes in certain markets. UltraTech Cement, India's largest cement producer, reported a 15 per cent Y-o-Y increase in cement sales in the country for the quarter under review.
Cement manufacturers' show during the June 2023-ended quarter (Q1FY24) has indicated an intensified slugfest for market share. For instance, Dalmia Bharat (Cement) said it has lost market share in eastern India owing to lack of price discipline. Industry analysts also said that the seasonal weakness in cement prices for Q1 is showing up earlier than usual.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani announced a capital expenditure programme of over 2 trillion for Adani Power, aiming for 45 gigawatts (Gw) capacity in five years, including a significant entry into nuclear power with a target of 10 Gw by 2035 through Adani Atomic Energy.
Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a method to enhance cement mortar, making it stronger, more durable, and capable of blocking harmful radiation, with the goal of improving the safety of nuclear facilities.
The Finance Ministry's expenditure department has approved a substantial Rs 1.25 lakh crore outlay for India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, significantly increasing the country's investment in global chip-making ambitions and aiming to establish India as a major semiconductor hub.
ExlService Holdings, a data and AI company, announced its acquisition of AI data solutions firm iMerit for up to USD 310 million. This strategic move aims to accelerate AI innovation, deepen EXL's AI capabilities in model training and evaluation, and expand its market presence in high-growth AI tech sectors. The transaction is expected to conclude in Q3 2026.
Indian companies LTM and Mastek announced new international partnerships for cloud, AI, and digital transformation. Jio BlackRock AMC launched a new hybrid fund. NMIMS partnered with Coursera for AI-enabled learning, and MakeMyTrip Foundation rebuilt a flood-damaged school in Manali.
Even as cement companies continue to announce ambitious expansion plans, analysts turn cautious over the sector as incremental supply is expected to coincide with a weak demand growth period, and other headwinds of higher fuel costs, weak monsoons and general elections. In August, JSW Cement said it will take its current 19 million tonnes (MT) capacity to 60 MT in the next five years. The country's top producers have massive expansion plans underway - UltraTech Cement targeting 200 MT, Adani Cement aiming for 140 MT and Dalmia Cement planning for 110-130 MT.
A potential US-Iran peace deal, expected to be signed on June 19, is anticipated to ease geopolitical stress and benefit various sectors, particularly in India, with analysts suggesting investors await finer details before making significant moves.
Adani group companies reported a record capital expenditure of Rs 1.53 lakh crore (USD 16.1 billion) and an all-time high EBITDA of Rs 94,834 crore (USD 10 billion) in the 2025-26 fiscal year, signalling an accelerating infrastructure expansion cycle while maintaining leverage below its stated target.
E-commerce major Flipkart has announced significant appointments to its technology leadership team, bringing in experts in artificial intelligence, data science, fintech, and core engineering. These strategic hires, including Goda Ramkumar, Mohan Palisetti, and Nitesh Jain, are aimed at strengthening Flipkart's capabilities in these critical areas to better serve India's expanding digital consumer and seller base.
E-commerce major Flipkart has announced significant appointments to its technology leadership team, bringing in experts in artificial intelligence, data science, fintech, and core engineering. These strategic hires, including Goda Ramkumar, Mohan Palisetti, and Nitesh Jain, are aimed at strengthening Flipkart's capabilities in these critical areas to better serve India's expanding digital consumer and seller base.
Meta has partnered with Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) to construct its first AI-powered data centre in India, a 168-megawatt facility located in Jamnagar, marking a significant milestone in Meta's global infrastructure expansion and deepening its strategic partnership with Reliance.
Persistent Systems announced an agreement to integrate a team from Concise, a software engineering and IT consulting company, to expand its Eastern European footprint.
India significantly increased its crude oil imports from Russia and the United Arab Emirates in June, securing supplies as the Strait of Hormuz began to reopen, with Russian barrels remaining attractive due to discounts and UAE supplies offsetting earlier uncertainties.
India's top cement producers delivered a solid July-September quarter (Q2) in 2025-26 (FY26), lifted by firmer prices, higher sales volumes, and a favourable base. Seasonal weakness and maintenance outages did dent sequential performance, but the overall picture remained positive - and the road ahead looks steady.
Nomura has increased its March 2027 target for the Nifty 50 to 25,900, driven by strong corporate earnings and attractive market valuations, even as risks from the West Asia conflict and high oil prices persist.
The start of the West Asia conflict has led to a sharp increase in crude-linked raw material prices, pushing up the price of helmets across the country.
TMC leader Derek O'Brien highlights the Tata Group's presence and expansion in West Bengal, countering BJP claims about bringing Tata back to the state. Investments and expansions span IT, manufacturing, hospitality, and retail sectors.
UltraTech Cement on Saturday said it has received a GST demand notice for a total payment of Rs 782.2 crore, which it plans to contest before the appropriate forum.
More than six decades after her passing, Marilyn Monroe's magnetic appeal and beauty continue to captivate fans worldwide, with her 100th birth anniversary on June 1 prompting a look back at her life and enduring legacy.
Deep Kamra, the country manager of Dangote Cement -- owned by Nigeria's Dangote Industries Limited -- was attacked on Wednesday in the restive Oromiya region.
When the figure figured in the cabinet meeting, Dr Rajasekhar Reddy left the meeting hall, leaving the issue to be discussed by his cabinet colleagues. The cabinet unanimously approved the allotment.
Sensex gains over 400 points while Nifty trades above 23,800 amid strong IT sector buying.
At least 89 people have died in Uttar Pradesh after severe storms and heavy rain caused widespread damage, uprooting trees and electric poles and damaging homes. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to provide immediate relief to affected families.
Force Motors Limited announced its highest-ever revenue and profitability for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, driven by growth across its Urbania, Trax, and Traveller platforms, as well as defence partnerships and international engine manufacturing.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed lower due to investor caution over rising bond yields, a weaker rupee, and fresh fuel price hikes, which have revived inflation concerns.
Indian stock markets are poised for volatility this week, driven primarily by the outcomes of five state assembly elections, ongoing high crude oil prices amid West Asia tensions, and the release of Q4 corporate earnings, according to market analysts.
Moody's Ratings has downgraded India's growth forecast for financial year 2026-27 (FY27) to 6 per cent from 6.8 per cent, attributing the revision to weaker consumption and industrial activity, elevated energy prices, and rising input costs stemming from the West Asia conflict.
Companies in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector are losing favour with equity investors, with their price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio declining to its lowest level in six years, now trading at 38.8 times trailing earnings.
West Asia conflict triggers sharp sell-off in Indian markets, with realty, banking and auto stocks leading losses amid energy shock fears.
Vijay's electoral triumph in Tamil Nadu is poised to dramatically revive the fortunes of his much-anticipated final film, Jana Nayagan, which has been plagued by release delays, censorship battles, and a cancelled streaming deal.
'As re-industrialisation gathers pace across regions like Asia, Europe and the US, a wide range of products and inputs will see demand.'
There has been a sharp slowdown in revenue and profit growth in the cement sector in recent quarters but it is yet to show in the share prices of cement companies. On the contrary, there has been a rally in cement stocks and a re-rating of their equity valuation in the past three years despite an earnings contraction during the period.
There are hopes of a turnaround in overall corporate earnings after six quarters of single digit growth.
