** Nomura cuts PT on UltraTech Cement ULTC.NS to 13,900 rupees, UltraTech Cement, Ambuja Cement ABUJ.NS to 540 rupees, Shree Cement SHCM.NS to 28,000 rupees, Nuvoco NUVO.NS to 400 rupees
** Maintains Dalmia Bharat DALB.NS as its top pick with "Buy"
** Maintains "Reduce" on ACC ACC.NS; cuts PT at 1,250 rupees
** The industry has seen only a 16 rupees per bag hike in prices instead of the expected 18 rupees-20 rupees per bag to offset rising input costs, brokerage says
** Notes Indian cement industry has faced headwinds from election delays, extended monsoon, and Middle East-driven input cost inflation in the past few quarters
** Cuts FY27 and FY28 EBITDA estimates across cement stocks by an average of 10% to 15%
** Views cement demand as largely deferred rather than lost, believes improved profitability in FY28-29F as demand normalises and pricing discipline potentially returns
(Reporting by Mridula Kumar in Bengaluru)
((Mridula.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))