Karachi: The first quarter financial results for Maple Leaf Cement Factory (MLCF), Kohat Cement Limited (KOHC), and Fauji Cement Company Limited (FCCL) are anticipated to reflect a year-over-year decline in earnings. This expected downturn is attributed to subdued local cement dispatches and elevated operational costs, despite a reduction in finance costs.

According to JS Research, the three prominent cement manufacturers are set to report varied decreases in their earnings per share (EPS) for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. MLCF is projected to report an EPS of Rs1.2, marking an 8% decrease compared to the previous year. KOHC is likely to see its EPS fall to Rs10.7, a 6% decrease, while FCCL is expected to show a more modest decline of 2% with an EPS of Rs1.05. The report points to several factors influencing these figures, including recent measures from the Federal Budget FY25 that impact the cement sector, generally sluggish economic activities, and new royalties imposed by the Punjab government on cement. These factors are expected to continue suppressing cement demand in the short term.