A positive view is maintained on SCC’s growth prospects as external demand remains strong and the impact from supply disruptions from the Japan earthquake should be short-lived. Also, SCC will benefit from strong consumer spending and greater investment in infrastructure projects no matter which political party emerges as triumphant in next month’s election.
SCC’s 2Q11F profit is likely to fall QoQ due to low seasonal demand for cement, petrochemical and building products that should result in lower margins QoQ. Paper margins should also soften QoQ due to rising raw material prices and stiffer competition. However, this factor should be partly offset by the start-up of SCC’s special elastomer capacity in April and dividends received from its investments.