MARKET EYE-Government measures to boost cement demand

* India's cement industry will witness a sharp recovery in
cement prices in fiscal 2013-14, on improving supply-demand
dynamics and the government action to fast track infrastructure
projects, analysts say.
* Deutsche Bank believes cement companies such as UltraTech
Cement and Shree Cement that have potential
to increase capacity and have a bigger presence in western and
northern India will witness "disproportionate benefits".
* Bank of America Merrill Lynch upgrades Ultratech Cement and
India Cements to 'buy' from 'underperform' in reports
dated on Friday.
* Morgan Stanley maintains an 'attractive' view on the sector,
and recommends investors to buy cement stocks on weakness
because on expectations of easing capacity addition and pickup
in cement demand, in a report dated Friday.
* Mid-cap cement companies outperform large caps: India Cements
gains 0.7 percent, JK Cement is up 1 percent
while Madras Cement rises 1.8 percent.
* Ultratech Cement shares are down 1.2 percent, ACC
gains 0.1 percent.
* The thomsonreuters construction materials index down 0.08
percent as of 1.25 pm.

(manoj.dharra@thomsonreuters.com)