Mexican cement maker Cemex's Q1 profit climbs despite dip in volumes
By Kylie Madry
MEXICO CITY, April 25 (Reuters) -Mexican cement-maker Cemex CEMEXCPO.MX reported a 13% increase in first-quarter net profit on Thursday, bolstered by lower taxes and less exposure to financial derivatives, although its operating earnings declined.
The firm, one of the world's largest cement producers, posted a net profit of $254.4 million, beating analysts' estimate of $218.2 million as per LSEG data.
Revenue inched up 3% year-over-year to $4.14 billion, just shy of analysts' estimate of $4.19 billion, despite volumes falling in all of its product segments.
On a like-to-like basis, revenues were stable from the year-ago quarter, Cemex said.
The firm said year-over-year it spent 63% less on financial instruments such as derivatives and 66% less in taxes in the quarter, though it was dinged by higher financial expenses and an around 8% appreciation in the Mexican peso from last year.
Sales in Cemex's top market Mexico rose 20% from last year, with all of its product segments registering growth, causing the firm to slightly increase its full-year outlook for cement and ready-mix volumes in the country.
The company now expects low-to-mid single digit percentage volumegrowth in the country, compared to low single-digits earlier.
In the U.S., just behind Mexico in terms of sales, revenues and volumes dipped slightly, largely due to poor weather.
Meanwhile, in Cemex's European and Middle Eastern unit, demand conditions were "a mixed bag" with volumes hit by fewer working days, bad weather and a strong performance in the year-ago quarter.
Core earnings, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the Middle East slid 35% "due to ongoing tensions" in the region, Cemex said.
The firm operates in Israel, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Overall, EBITDA climbed 5% year-over-year to $772.4 million, missing estimates of $780 million as per LSEG data, as the EMEA unit dragged down strong growth in Mexico and the rest of Latin America.
Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Varun H K
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