India: The India Cements Limited (ICL) has posted a nearly five-fold growth in its net profit for the second quarter of its 2016 fiscal year, which ended on 30 September 2015.

Its net profit grew from US$1.14m to US$6.26m in the second quarter of its 2016 fiscal year. Growth mainly stemmed from improved operating parameters and substantial reductions in variable costs. Its operating profit grew to US$35.4m from US$27.9m. Cement capacity utilisation was at 60% and is expected to rise.

According to Managing Director and Vice-Chairman of ICL, N Srinivasan, the last three quarters have seen the company posting consistent profits, a development that Srinivasan said had resulted in the company seeing better times ahead. "We have remained on the profit track for three consecutive quarters. Going forward, we see better times ahead. We had a tough time for two years and have achieved a turnaround by cutting costs and maintaining a healthy cement price," said Srinivasan. "With expected the increase in cement demand in the southern states and Andhra Pradesh building its new capital city Amaravati, we hope that the company will do well in the coming years."