Cement makers face margin pressure as West Asia conflict drives up costs. Indian cement companies raised prices by fifteen to twenty rupees per fifty kilogram bag in April, lifting all-India average prices about five percent compared to March. Rising fuel, freight and packaging costs are squeezing profitability, with three of the top five cement makers reporting year-on-year profit declines in the fourth quarter. Companies are responding with fuel substitution strategies, long-term sourcing contracts and operational efficiency measures. UltraTech Cement, India's largest maker, reported strong earnings despite cost pressures, leveraging procurement scale and strategic fuel contracts. However, analysts warn these defensive steps may not fully offset near-term cost impacts as construction activity shows signs of softening.
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