India s Ambuja Cements Limited experienced a 9% y/y fall in cement sales volumes in the quarter ending 31 March 2015. Muted demand for the building material impacted the company s net sales, which declined by 8.1% y/y.

Although improved operational efficiencies helped to somewhat offset cost increases, this, together with lower sales volumes, contributed to a 13.4% y/y decline in operating EBITDA.

Net profit before tax dropped by 26.9% from Rs.583 crores in January – March 2014 to Rs.426 crores in January – March 2015. Net profit after tax totalled Rs.318 crores, down 38.8% y/y. This has been attributed to lower net profit before tax and a write back of tax provisions in the corresponding quarter in 2014.