Indian Cement Sector Update

Top 5 players report dispatches decline of 3.2% yoy

• Unseasonal rains, labor shortage due to festive season impact dispatches in November. Top 5 players report aggregate dispatch decline of 3.2%
• Cement prices see some softness across regions - cuts of Rs 2-10/bag; across North, central & south. Dealers expect prices to remain sluggish till mid December owing to poor demand
• Demand growth remains key to sustain prices hikes taken in October. Seasonal logistical bottlenecks (wagons supply to food grains & crop) could provide some support to prices
• Remain NEUTRAL on sector, positive on ACC, Grasim & Shree, negative on Ultratech, India Cement & Madras Cement