Lucky Cement Posts Profit of Rs. 6.56 Billion in Q1

Lucky Cement Limited (PSX: LUCK) has reported an unconsolidated profit-after-tax of Rs. 6.56 billion for the first quarter ended September 30, 2024 (1QFY25), down five percent compared to profit-after-tax of Rs. 6.929 billion in 1QFY24.   The company’s earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter came in at Rs. 22.40, compared to EPS of Rs. 22.62 in the same quarter of the previous year.    On a quarterly basis net profit dipped by 31 percent, due to the dividend received by LEPCL in 4QFY24. On a consolidated basis, net profit settled at Rs. 17.927 billion (EPS: Rs. 61.18) in 1QFY25 as compared to Rs. 17.706 billion (Rs. 60.43) in 1QFY24.  The company’s topline during 1QFY25 stood at Rs. 29.822 billion, up 2 percent YoY compared to Rs. 29.382 billion in 1QFY24, on the back of higher retention prices. On a quarterly basis net sales grew by 7 percent QOQ, due to the aforementioned reasons.     Gross margins for 1QFY25 arrived at 32.9 percent against 36.9 percent during the same period of the previous year. On a quarterly basis, gross margins remained stable.    Selling and distribution expenses in 1QFY25 rose 35 percent YoY to settle at Rs. 2.350 billion. Whereas, on QoQ basis, selling and distribution expenses increased 10 percent.     Finance costs in 1QFY25 decreased by 6 percent YoY and stood at 360 million amid a fall in policy rates in tandem with decline in long term debt. Moreover, on QoQ basis finance costs fell by 7.0 percent.    The company booked effective taxation of 33 percent in 1QFY25 as compared to 34 percent during 1QFY24.  Story includes input from Arif Habib Limited’s Result Review of LUCK.