JK Lakshmi Cement reports 72% profit growth

India's JK Lakshmi Cement has recorded a 71.7 per cent increase in standalone net profit to INR147.5m (US$2.07m) for the third quarter ended 31 December, compared with INR85.9m of the year-ago period.

Its total income during the 3QFY18-19 was up 11.3 per cent YoY to INR9.487bn from INR8.52bn. The company also reported nine per cent volume growth in the period.

However, total expenses rose 10.7 per cent YoY to INR9.29bn from INR8.39bn. "The company has been facing pressure of increased petcoke and diesel prices," said Shailendra Chouksey, company director. "There has been softening in petcoke prices in recent times which will however get reflected in coming quarters," added Mr Chouksey.