1. Opening Hook
While Ambuja and Dalmia were still checking their limestone maps, Star Cement quietly mined profits out of thin air. The company’s Q2FY26 call had more expansion blueprints than a township developer and enough optimism to make even their kilns blush. Mr. Tushar Bhajanka didn’t just discuss capacity—he laid out a cement empire, stretching from Assam to Rajasthan, with Bihar thrown in for a sweet SGST rebate.As theBhagavad Gitareminds us, “You have the right to work, but not to the fruits thereof.” Clearly, Star Cement’s management disagrees—they want both. Keep reading; this gets even spicier as CAPEX dreams meet GST realities.
2. At a Glance
- Revenue up 26%– CFO calls it “demand-led,” not Excel-led.
- EBITDA doubled– ₹194 crore vs ₹97 crore; margins firing like a new kiln.
- PAT ₹71 crore vs ₹6 crore– finally, cement with seasoning.
- EBITDA/ton ₹1,650– up 65%; clearly, clinker isn’t the only thing heating up.
- Half-year revenue ₹1,723 crore– momentum sturdier than a concrete column.
- Stock sentiment– traders smell “East expansion,” forget cost inflation entirely.
3. Management’s Key Commentary
“Clinker production was 9.18 lakh tons vs 6.58 lakh tons last year.”(Translation: The kilns are sweating overtime—and loving it.)
“Silchar plant to be commissioned in 3 months; Jorhat deferred for now.”(Read: Expansion yoga—stretch here, relax there. 🧘)
“Bihar offers 300% SGST benefits; we’ve grabbed land in Begusarai.”(They’re chasing taxes like startups chase seed funding.)
“Rajasthan plant planned at 4 million tons; land acquisition underway.”(Translation: We’re collecting land faster than politicians before elections.)
“Fuel cost down to ₹1.25 per kcal from ₹1.35.”(Who needs solar when FSA coal behaves like
this?)
“Trade sales 80%, premium mix 13%.”(Premium cement—because middle-class dreams deserve better walls 😏.)
“Incentives booked ₹56 crore this quarter.”(Proof that subsidy yoga still works better than cost-cutting.)
4. Numbers Decoded
| Metric | Q2FY26 | Q2FY25 | Change | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (₹ Cr) | 811 | 642 | +26% | No demand slump here |
| EBITDA (₹ Cr) | 194 | 97 | +100% | Doubled – CFO smiling |
| PAT (₹ Cr) | 71 | 6 | +1083% | Cement miracles exist |
| EBITDA/ton (₹) | 1,650 | 995 | +66% | Margin wall reinforced |
| Cement Sales (Lakh tons) | 10.73 | 9.62 | +12% | Volume rising steady |
| Incentive Income (₹ Cr) | 56 | 0 | — | Bihar’s teaser offer |
| Fuel Cost (₹/kcal) | 1.25 | 1.35 | -7% | Coal behaving nicely |
| Trade Sales | 80% | — | — | Solid retail base |
Comment:When margins double, management calls it “operational leverage.” Investors just call it “finally.”
5. Analyst Questions
Axis Capital:“Silchar by Jan, Jorhat deferred—why?”👉 Management: “Focusing where incentives flow.” (Smart cement, smarter GST math.)
ICICI Securities:“Priority of CAPEX?”👉 “Bihar first, Rajasthan next—Umrangso later.” (Basically, juggling trowels with finesse.)
Dolat Capital:“₹500 crore CAPEX this half?”👉 “Yes, mostly for Silchar & solar.” (Even cement wants a little sunlight.)
Investec:“Competition from Ambuja?”👉 “They have land, not cement

