Mexico: Cemex has announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2014, which show that consolidated net sales reached US$4.2bn during the second quarter of 2014, an increase of 4% compared to the comparable period in 2013. Operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 1% during the quarter to US$737m compared to the same period in 2013. On a like-for-like basis and adjusting for business days in its operations during the quarter, consolidated net sales increased by 5% and operating EBITDA increased by 3% versus the second quarter of 2013.
Cemex said that the increase in consolidated net sales was due to higher prices of its products in local currency terms in most of its operations, as well as higher volumes in the US and the Mediterranean, South & Central America and the Caribbean and Asia regions.
Fernando A González, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased with the year-to-date trends we have seen in volumes for our three core products and the continued success of our value-before-volume strategy. We expect improved performance from our Mexican operations during the second half of the year which should lead to stronger overall EBITDA generation for the full year 2014."
Breakdown by geographical area
Net sales in Cemex's operations in Mexico decreased by 4% in the second quarter of 2014 to US$816m, compared with US$847m in the second quarter of 2013. Operating EBITDA decreased by 1% to US$247m versus the same period of 2013.
Operations in the United States reported net sales of US$957m in the second quarter of 2014, up by 10% compared to the same period in 2013. Operating EBITDA increased to US$119m for the quarter, compared to US$80m in the same quarter of 2013.
In northern Europe, net sales for the second quarter of 2014 reached US$1.1bn, a 5% increase compared with the second quarter of 2013. Operating EBITDA was US$121m for the quarter, 12% higher than a year earlier.
Second-quarter net sales in the Mediterranean region were US$449m, 12% higher than sales of US$400m during the second quarter of 2013. Operating EBITDA increased by 6% to US$100m for the quarter versus the comparable period in 2013.
Cemex's operations in South & Central America and the Caribbean reported net sales of US$562m during the second quarter of 2014, remaining flat compared to the same period of 2013. Operating EBITDA was down by 16% to US$178m in the second quarter of 2014, from US$211m in the second quarter of 2013.
Operations in Asia reported a 2% decrease in net sales for the second quarter of 2014 to US$160m, versus the second quarter of 2013. Operating EBITDA for the quarter was US$34m, down by 11% compared to the same period of 2013.