India Equity Analyst - Fundamental & Thematic, Beat the Street

Sudarshan Bhandari

India Equity Analyst - Fundamental & Thematic

Beat the Street

Beat The Street was founded by Nimish Maheshwari and Sudarshan Bhandari, both of whom are Chartered Accountants by Profession, known for their expert analysis in the fields of Business, Sectoral analysis, and Corporate governance.

With a strong social media presence of 45,000+ Subscribers across various platforms, they are considered trusted voices in the industry. Their insights and analysis have been featured in some of India’s most prominent publications, including the Economic Times, Dalal Street Investment Journal, The Morning Context, and The Ken.

Their analysis on Bankrupt & Insolvent companies has been instrumental in saving investors from significant losses. They have a keen eye for identifying red flags and has identified exclusive redflags earlier in Vedanta, Nykaa, Dhani Services, Adani and many more.

Read Business Not Stock Prices

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
 Ambuja Cement has crossed the 100 MTPA capacity mark and is executing a roadmap for 140 MTPA by FY28 while targeting a INR1,500 per tonne EBITDA by the same year.</li>
<li>The integration of multiple recent acquisitions, including Orient, Sanghi, and Penna, is crucial; Q2FY26 results will offer the first look into how the new consolidated entity handles initial integration costs.</li>
<li>While Q1 FY26 set a high baseline, investors should  anticipate sequential dip in Q2 margins, viewing it as a short-term integration blip against a decade-defining capacity and cost rationalisation strategy.</li>
</ul>



 Ambuja Cement has crossed the 100 MTPA capacity mark and is executing a roadmap for 140 MTPA by FY28 while targeting a INR1,500 per tonne EBITDA by the same year.
The integration of multiple recent acquisitions, including Orient, Sanghi, and Penna, is crucial; Q2FY26 results will offer the first look into how the new consolidated entity handles initial integration costs.
While Q1 FY26 set a high baseline, investors should  anticipate sequential dip in Q2 margins, viewing it as a short-term integration blip against a decade-defining capacity and cost rationalisation strategy.


Ambuja Cement Q2 Preview: Seasonal Weakness or a Strategic Pause in the 140 MTPA Road?

Market & Forensics Analyst, Beat the Street

Nimish Maheshwari

Market & Forensics Analyst

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The Indian cement industry saw strong demand in Q4 FY25, with industry volume growth of 4% YoY and leading players reporting double-digit sales growth.</li>
<li>Demand in April 2025 was weak across most regions due to severe heatwaves and labor shortages, slowing construction activity significantly.</li>
<li>Cement demand is expected to grow at 7–8% in FY26, driven by infrastructure projects and housing, with major players expanding capacity.</li>
</ul>


The Indian cement industry saw strong demand in Q4 FY25, with industry volume growth of 4% YoY and leading players reporting double-digit sales growth.
Demand in April 2025 was weak across most regions due to severe heatwaves and labor shortages, slowing construction activity significantly.
Cement demand is expected to grow at 7–8% in FY26, driven by infrastructure projects and housing, with major players expanding capacity.


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ambuja-cements-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14745:1" rel="noopener">Ambuja Cements (ACEM IN)</a>, established in 1983 by traders Narotam Sekhsaria and Suresh Neotia, leveraged strategic foresight to become a premier Indian cement giant within the diversified Adani Group.</li>
<li>In 2022, Adani acquired Ambuja Cement at INR 385/share, valuing it at INR 49,620 crore ($6.4 billion), at EBITDA/ton levels (INR900-INR1,000) similar to the company's current performance.</li>
<li>Ambuja Cement is strategically positioned to achieve a substantial 44% increase in its cement production capacity by FY28, reaching a total of 140 MTPA from the current 97 MTPA.</li>
</ul>



Ambuja Cements (ACEM IN), established in 1983 by traders Narotam Sekhsaria and Suresh Neotia, leveraged strategic foresight to become a premier Indian cement giant within the diversified Adani Group.
In 2022, Adani acquired Ambuja Cement at INR 385/share, valuing it at INR 49,620 crore ($6.4 billion), at EBITDA/ton levels (INR900-INR1,000) similar to the company's current performance.
Ambuja Cement is strategically positioned to achieve a substantial 44% increase in its cement production capacity by FY28, reaching a total of 140 MTPA from the current 97 MTPA.


The Beat Ideas: Adani Cements:  Massive 140 MTPA Capacity Expansion, A Roadmap to FY28

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ultratech-cement-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:181:1" rel="noopener">Ultratech Cement (UTCEM IN)</a> saw a resurgence in demand starting in December. CFO Atul Daga characterized this as a "positive storm," fueled by continuous demand increases that boosted cement prices.  </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ambuja-cements-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14745:1" rel="noopener">Ambuja Cements (ACEM IN)</a> is strategically expanding capacity, aiming for cost leadership, and leveraging group synergies to reach 140 million tons of cement capacity by FY28.  </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jk-cement-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9744:1" rel="noopener">JK Cement Ltd (JKCE IN)</a>’s proposed acquisition of 60% equity in Saifco Cements marks their penetration in Jammu-Kashmir(capacity- 0.42 Mn tons), which is expected to improve profitability, increase production capacity.</li>
</ul>



Ultratech Cement (UTCEM IN) saw a resurgence in demand starting in December. CFO Atul Daga characterized this as a "positive storm," fueled by continuous demand increases that boosted cement prices.  

Ambuja Cements (ACEM IN) is strategically expanding capacity, aiming for cost leadership, and leveraging group synergies to reach 140 million tons of cement capacity by FY28.  

JK Cement Ltd (JKCE IN)’s proposed acquisition of 60% equity in Saifco Cements marks their penetration in Jammu-Kashmir(capacity- 0.42 Mn tons), which is expected to improve profitability, increase production capacity.


Themes of India: Cement Industry Q3 Update

Forensic Accounting

<ul>
<li>Adani's $600 million acquisition of Sanghi Cement in August 2023 marked its significant debut in the cement sector, following controversies around the group's infrastructure ventures.</li>
<li>The Master Supply Agreement with Ambuja &amp; pricing structure, based on cost plus a 10% markup, has raised concerns about lower EBITDA realizations for Sanghi Cement, deviating from industry norms.</li>
<li>Issues surrounding potential profit loss (Rs 357 crore) and investor skepticism echo previous instances, like the NDTV case, where minority shareholders experienced less favorable terms compared to the promoter. </li>
</ul>


Adani's $600 million acquisition of Sanghi Cement in August 2023 marked its significant debut in the cement sector, following controversies around the group's infrastructure ventures.
The Master Supply Agreement with Ambuja &amp; pricing structure, based on cost plus a 10% markup, has raised concerns about lower EBITDA realizations for Sanghi Cement, deviating from industry norms.
Issues surrounding potential profit loss (Rs 357 crore) and investor skepticism echo previous instances, like the NDTV case, where minority shareholders experienced less favorable terms compared to the promoter. 


Adani's Ambuja Cement Acquisition of Sanghi Cement Raises Questions Amidst Favorable Terms

India

Sanghi Industries Ltd. manufactures cement.

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Sanghi Industries (SNGI IN)

Ambuja Cement Q2 Preview: Seasonal Weakness or a Strategic Pause in the 140 MTPA Road?

Ambuja Cement aims for 140 MTPA capacity by FY28 with INR1,500 per tonne EBITDA target, focusing on integrating recent acquisitions and managing...

Sudarshan Bhandari

Cement Wars: Ultratech Vs Adani Cements

Indian cement industry sees strong demand in Q4 FY25, but faces challenges in April 2025 due to heatwaves. In this insight, we are covering Q4...

Nimish Maheshwari

The Beat Ideas: Adani Cements: Massive 140 MTPA Capacity Expansion, A Roadmap to FY28

Ambuja Cements, founded by Sekhsaria and Neotia, was acquired by Adani in 2022 for INR 49,620 crore, with plans to increase production capacity to...

Sudarshan Bhandari

Themes of India: Cement Industry Q3 Update

The overall indian cement industry is going under consolidation where 3-4 big players are gaining market share as well as acquiring different...

Nimish Maheshwari

Adani's Ambuja Cement Acquisition of Sanghi Cement Raises Questions Amidst Favorable Terms

Adani's entry into cement sector with Sanghi Cement acquisition raises concerns about pricing structure and potential profit loss, echoing past...

Nimish Maheshwari

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Ambuja Cement Q2 Preview: Seasonal Weakness or a Strategic Pause in the 140 MTPA Road?

​Ambuja Cement aims for 140 MTPA capacity by FY28 with INR1,500 per tonne EBITDA target, focusing on integrating recent acquisitions and managing...

Sudarshan Bhandari

Cement Wars: Ultratech Vs Adani Cements

​Indian cement industry sees strong demand in Q4 FY25, but faces challenges in April 2025 due to heatwaves. In this insight, we are covering Q4...

Nimish Maheshwari

The Beat Ideas: Adani Cements: Massive 140 MTPA Capacity Expansion, A Roadmap to FY28

​Ambuja Cements, founded by Sekhsaria and Neotia, was acquired by Adani in 2022 for INR 49,620 crore, with plans to increase production capacity to...

Sudarshan Bhandari

Themes of India: Cement Industry Q3 Update

The overall indian cement industry is going under consolidation where 3-4 big players are gaining market share as well as acquiring different...

Nimish Maheshwari

Adani's Ambuja Cement Acquisition of Sanghi Cement Raises Questions Amidst Favorable Terms

​Adani's entry into cement sector with Sanghi Cement acquisition raises concerns about pricing structure and potential profit loss, echoing past...

Nimish Maheshwari

Ambuja Cement aims for 140 MTPA capacity by FY28 with INR1,500 per tonne EBITDA target, focusing on integrating recent acquisitions and managing...

Indian cement industry sees strong demand in Q4 FY25, but faces challenges in April 2025 due to heatwaves. In this insight, we are covering Q4...

Ambuja Cements, founded by Sekhsaria and Neotia, was acquired by Adani in 2022 for INR 49,620 crore, with plans to increase production capacity to...

Adani's entry into cement sector with Sanghi Cement acquisition raises concerns about pricing structure and potential profit loss, echoing past...