JK Cement Q1 FY27: Strong Volume Growth Amid Margin Pressure and Rising Costs
JK Cement reported Q1 FY27 standalone net profit of ₹291 crore, down from ₹332.48 crore YoY, as revenue from operations grew to ₹3,866.12 crore. EBITDA margin contracted to 16.5% from 21.10%, weighed by elevated costs and high maintenance activity. The company targets grey cement volumes of 22.5–23 million tons in FY27 and projects a cost increase of ~₹150 per ton in Q2, while advancing capacity expansion towards 40 MTPA by FY28 and 50 MTPA by FY30.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
J K Cement reported a standalone net profit of ₹291 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, a decrease from ₹332.48 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Revenue from operations rose to ₹3,866.12 crore compared to ₹3,190.08 crore in Q1 FY26. Total income for the quarter stood at ₹3,906.19 crore. Despite the revenue growth, profitability came under pressure as rising expenses weighed on margins, though the company achieved robust volume growth across its grey and white cement segments. The company's Board of Directors approved the unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results for the first quarter on July 18, 2026.
EBITDA and Margin Performance
JK Cement's EBITDA for Q1 FY27 stood at ₹6.4 billion, declining from ₹6.7 billion in the same period last year. The EBITDA margin contracted sharply to 16.5% from 21.10% on a year-on-year basis, reflecting the impact of elevated operating costs during the quarter. The company noted that EBITDA was marginally lower due to abnormally high maintenance activity during the quarter. S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP, the statutory auditors, conducted a limited review and issued an unmodified opinion on the financial results.
Standalone Financial Performance
Expenses for the quarter totaled ₹3,483.06 crore, up from ₹2,747.91 crore in the prior year quarter. Key expense components included freight and forwarding expenses at ₹878.61 crore and power and fuel costs at ₹644.31 crore. Profit before exceptional items and tax was ₹423.13 crore, while basic and diluted earnings per share stood at ₹37.66.
The following table summarises the standalone financial performance for the quarter:
| Particulars: | Q1 FY27 (Unaudited) | Q1 FY26 (Unaudited*) |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue from Operations: | ₹3,866.12 crore | ₹3,190.08 crore |
| Total Income: | ₹3,906.19 crore | ₹3,245.78 crore |
| Total Expenses: | ₹3,483.06 crore | ₹2,747.91 crore |
| EBITDA: | ₹6.4 billion | ₹6.7 billion |
| EBITDA Margin: | 16.5% | 21.10% |
| Profit Before Tax: | ₹423.13 crore | ₹497.87 crore |
| Net Profit: | ₹291.00 crore | ₹332.48 crore |
| Basic and Diluted EPS: | ₹37.66 | ₹43.03 |
*Restated figures.
Consolidated Results
On a consolidated basis, JK Cement reported a net profit of ₹274.62 crore for Q1 FY27, down from ₹324.25 crore in Q1 FY26. Revenue from operations increased to ₹4,031.72 crore from ₹3,352.53 crore in the same period last year. Total expenses for the quarter were ₹3,664.82 crore. Profit attributable to equity holders of the company was ₹277.47 crore.
Operational Highlights and Volume Guidance
The company reported strong volume growth in Q1 FY27, driven by its new plant in Central India, where it is gaining market share, while maintaining its position in North and South India. The company reported a grey cement capacity of 32.3 MTPA and a white cement and wall putty capacity of 3.1 MTPA. Capacity utilisation for grey cement stood at 75% and clinker at 76%. Net sales realisation improved to ₹5,065 per tonne compared to ₹4,841 per tonne in Q4 FY26.
JK Cement aims for grey business volumes of 22.5 million to 23 million tons in FY27, targeting double-digit growth. However, the company acknowledged that sustaining Q1's volume growth rate may be challenging due to capacity constraints in North and South India.
The following table summarises key operational metrics and volume outlook:
| Parameter: | Details |
|---|---|
| Grey Cement Capacity: | 32.3 MTPA |
| White Cement & Wall Putty Capacity: | 3.1 MTPA |
| Grey Cement Utilisation: | 75% |
| Clinker Utilisation: | 76% |
| Net Sales Realisation: | ₹5,065 per tonne |
| FY27 Volume Target (Grey): | 22.5–23 million tons |
| FY27 Volume Growth Target: | Double-digit |
Expansion Plans and Cost Outlook
JK Cement is progressing towards a 40 million ton capacity target by FY28 and a 50 million ton target by FY30. The Jaisalmer project and Bhatinda grinding unit remain on schedule for commissioning in H1 FY28, while the Rajasthan wall putty expansion is set for Q2 FY27. A 7 MTPA grey cement expansion in North India with a total project cost of ₹3,630 crore is also scheduled for commissioning in H1 FY28. The company has planned a capex of ₹5,000–6,000 crore over the next two years.
On the cost front, the company projects a cost increase of approximately ₹150 per ton for Q2 compared to Q1, with ₹75–100 attributable to fuel and ₹50 from diesel and other increases.
| Cost Component: | Projected Increase (Q2 vs Q1) |
|---|---|
| Total Cost Increase: | ~₹150 per ton |
| Fuel-related: | ₹75–100 per ton |
| Diesel and Others: | ₹50 per ton |
Regulatory Disclosures
The auditors included an emphasis of matter paragraph regarding ongoing litigation with the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The CCI had imposed penalties of ₹128.54 crore and ₹9.28 crore in separate orders dated August 31, 2016, and January 19, 2017, respectively. The company has filed appeals, and interim orders of stay are in place. No provision has been made in the books of account regarding these matters. The company also disclosed compliance with financial covenants for its secured non-convertible debentures. The Debt Service Coverage Ratio stood at 2.33 times, and the Total Outside Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth ratio was 1.60 times as of June 30, 2026.
Historical Stock Returns for JK Cement
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +3.31% | +5.07% | +2.91% | -4.38% | -12.20% | +78.25% |
How will the projected ₹150 per ton cost increase in Q2 impact EBITDA margins given the current price realizations?
Can JK Cement sustain double-digit volume growth for FY27 despite acknowledged capacity constraints in North and South India?
What strategies will the company employ to manage the elevated fuel and diesel costs affecting profitability in the coming quarters?


































