The turnover during the period was Rs 156.95 crore (Rs 135.62 crore). Operating profit remained more or less static at Rs 54.13 crore (Rs 54.21 crore) and analysts attribute this is lower volumes on account of despatch regulations put in place by the manufacturers. Interest cost was Rs 16.00 crore (Rs 15.39 crore) while depreciation was higher at Rs 12.82 crore (Rs 11.45 crore) due to increased capitalisation. But the hit the cement firms took during the first three months of the current fiscal has left a clear footprint. Despite a vastly improved show in the second quarter, the combined results of the first six months of Madras Cements leave a 28 per cent drop in the net.

But with prices ruling high and demand likely to pick-up in select markets, the company is confident of improving the previous year's performance in the second half year.