Cement News tagged under: pricing

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Cement prices turning a corner?

14 May 2012, Published under Cement News

While cement pricing power is generally strongest during the construction up-cycle, it has remained remarkably resilient in the recent downcycle, particularly when considering the overall economic environment. For instance, in 1H11, Cemex US sales volumes fell by 7% while the company was able to limit its price slide to 1%. However, the US cement industry has been in for a difficult time. While prices rose by an average 10% over 2004-07, during 2008-1H11, they contracted 2.8%. The USGS no...

Concerns over price hikes, Trinidad & Tobago

11 May 2012, Published under Cement News

The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association has expressed concern of a 19-21 per cent rise in prices. The situation is affecting the TTMA's members and severely hampering the construction industry, Trinidad Express Newspapers reported a spokesperson saying. In a May 2 circular to contractors, TCL announced price increases between 19 and almost 21 per cent on all types of cement, according to local industry players. "The TTMA is aware that the ongoing industrial action at Trin...

Energy price falls may increase 2H12 margins

04 May 2012, Published under Cement News

Industry analysts predict a recovery in cement margins in 2H12 as a consequence of falling international energy prices and the continued strength in cement prices, as highlighted in last week’s newsletter. The squeeze on cement markers' profit margins was widely felt during 2011, driven in the main by rapidly-rising energy costs that impacted on companies' bottom lines. Key energy prices rose by over 40% in a six-month period during 2011. This week's 1Q12 financial reports show how much i...

Turkish Competition board rules on cement cartel

27 April 2012, Published under Cement News

The Turkish Competition Board recently rendered its decision regarding 10 undertakings operating in the cement sector in the Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, Eastern Black Sea and Adana regions of Turkey. It was alleged that the undertakings had increased cement prices through an agreement. During its investigation, which began in December 2011, the board conducted on-site inspections (dawn raids) at the undertakings' premises. The board found one particular document of handw...

India cartel ruling expected in 15 days

12 April 2012, Published under Cement News

India’s Competition Commission said it will be at least 15 days before it issues its final report on an alleged cartel by 39 cement companies. "There will be 2-3 meetings of the members. So far, there had been no sittings. It will take at least 15 days for us to prepare the final report," a senior CCI member told PTI. CCI is probing an alleged cement cartel on various fronts including selling prices and the creation of artificial shortages by producing less than capacity.

Cartel ruling expected shortly, India

11 April 2012, Published under Cement News

A ruling by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on an alleged cartel by cement companies is expected imminently, with a negative verdict likely to negatively affect profits and pricing power, according to sources. “Rumours of penalties of cement companies by CCI has been doing the rounds time and again,” said Vivek Mahajan, head of research at Aditya Birla Money. Brokerage Macquarie said in a March-end report said it expects penalties of about seven per cent of total revenue (las...

Pakistan prices see further rises

10 April 2012, Published under Cement News

Cement producers in the Sindh and Balochistan regions have increased cement prices by PKR10/bag – the second increase in just over two weeks, according to reports by local press. Cement prices were hiked by PKR10-15/50kg bag on 26 March citing a rising demand in the summer as a reason. This followed a January 2012 rise, where prices increased by PKR2.5/bag. Analysts said repeated hikes in cement prices would affect construction activities as the construction cost of many projects would...

Oman forecast to see increased exports

09 April 2012, Published under Cement News

Oman is expected to witness increasing exports this year thanks to demand from markets like Yemen and East Africa, a new research report has forecast. Raysut Cement is expected to be a major beneficiary as exports accounted for 32 per cent of sales in 2011, states the report by EFG Hermes. Domestic cement consumption, meanwhile, is expected to rise by seven per cent during the current year to 6Mta with local production being able to meet demand. Domestic production this year is estimated ...

Bihar cement prices rise as supplies fall, India

09 April 2012, Published under Cement News

Cement prices in the Indian state of Bihar have risen by almost 50 per cent due to increased construction activity and the temporary shutdown of a nearby Prism Cement unit, the Economic Times of India reports. Bihar, situated in eastern India, has no major cement production facilities and relies on cement from plants located in Satna, MP, where prices have been rising due to heightened building activity. Compounding the issue is the shutdown of Prism Cement’s Satna unit which satisfies a ...

Derba Midroc announces second-round of price cuts, Ethiopia

04 April 2012, Published under Cement News

Newcomer to the Ethiopian cement sector Derba Midroc will announce another round of price cuts on wholesale cement, intensifying the price war on the local market. The 7500tpd Derba Midroc cement works was inaugurated in February this year, and is one of seven cement projects scheduled to come on-stream in the January-May period of 2012, according to Ministry of Industry data. Derba Midroc’s managers claim that they cutting prices to spur demand in a market that is currently facing a d...