UltraTech Cement reports 39% fall in Q4 profit at Rs. 446.13 crore

Aditya Birla Group firm UltraTech Cement reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 446.13 crore for the fourth quarter ended on March 31, 2018. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 726.09 crore in the January-March quarter a year ago, UltraTech Cement said in a BSE filing. UltraTech's net sales were at Rs 9,420.76 crore during the quarter under review against Rs 7,923.80 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. "During Q4FY 2017-18, the company recorded a robust growth of 31 per cent in volumes with a 5 per cent increase in realisation," UltraTech Cement said in a statement. It further added: "The quarter continued to witness increase in input costs attributable to rise in pet coke and coal prices and the ban on pet coke usages. Regardless, the company registered a 19 per cent PBIDT growth (profit before interest, depreciation and tax) during the quarter and a 15 per cent PBIDT growth for the year." The company informed that its results were not comparable as these include results of assets acquired from Jaiprakash Associates Limited and Jaypee Cement. "The results include the financial results for the cement plants acquired from Jaiprakash Associates Limited and Jaypee Cement Corporation Limited on June 29, 2017 and hence the figures for the three months and year ended March 31, 2018, are not comparable with the previous corresponding periods," it said. For the financial year 2017-18 ended on March 31, 2018 UltraTech Cement's net profit was at Rs 2,224.46 crore against Rs 2,713.51 crore in FY 2016-17. Its net sales were at Rs 32,304.63 crore in FY 2017-18 against Rs 28,645.93 crore in the previous fiscal. Meanwhile, in a separate filing UltraTech Cement informed BSE its board has recommended a dividend of Rs 10.50 per equity share of Rs 10 each for the year ended March 31, 2018.