Fauji Cement Company Limited (PSX: FCCL) has announced its financial results for the half year ending December 31, 2024, reporting a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 7.26 billion, reflecting a 38% year-on-year (YoY) increase compared to Rs. 5.27 billion in the same period last year. Despite the strong performance, the company did not declare any dividend payouts for the period under review.

During the first half of FY25, FCCL recorded dispatches of 2.81 million tons, marking a 9% YoY increase compared to 2.58 million tons in the same period last year. The company’s net revenue rose to Rs. 47.84 billion, up from Rs. 40.35 billion in the corresponding period last year, driven by higher dispatches and stable cement prices.

FCCL’s gross profit margin improved to 35%, compared to 32% in the same period last year. The company attributed this improvement to better sale prices and cost optimization measures, including reduced packing material costs following the acquisition of a PP Bags Plant, increased use of local coal, alternative fuels, enhanced in-house power generation, and fixed cost optimization.

The company also benefited from a decline in interest rates, as the reduction in KIBOR, driven by lower inflation and a policy rate cut by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), contributed to reduced financing costs during the period.

FCCL posted earnings per share (EPS) of Rs. 2.96 for 1HFY25, compared to an EPS of Rs. 2.15 in the same period last year.

At the time of filing, FCCL’s stock was trading at Rs. 41.7 on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, down 1.81% or Rs. 0.77, with 46.95 million shares traded on Tuesday.