| However, turnover for the quarter was lower at Rs 677.41 crore as against Rs 706.68 crore in 2004 quarter, a fall of about four per cent. Profit before tax for the same quarter under review stood at Rs 134.66 crore as against Rs 129.24 crore in the previous corresponding quarter, an increase of four per cent. |
| During the same period, Ambuja Cements paid interest of Rs 22.02 crore as against Rs 22.91 crore in last quarter and depreciation of Rs 49.54 crore as against Rs 60.67 crore. The company sold 2.94 million tonne of cement, same as compared to the corresponding quarter last year. |
| The sales growth was flat during the quarter due to floods in Gujarat and Maharashtra, said a company release. Plus costs increased due to high oil prices. But overall efficiencies and better cement prices helped the company in better performance. |
| The company's scrip, though didn't react favourably as it fell 0.53 per cent from Rs 66.30 yesterday to Rs 65.95 when the market closed today. |
| "Cement demand is growing very well in domestic market as well as export markets," said Anil Singhvi, its whole-time director. |
| He added, "For the six months period of April-September 2005, the cement despatches grew over 10 per cent. Cement export prices are firming up well and being the largest cement exporter, company expects to have better volume and realisation post-monsoon period. It is expected that cement demand will grow at 8-9 per cent this year." |
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