Displaying items by tag: Results

Egypt: Misr Beni Suef Cement has reported net profits for the six months to 30 June 2019 of US$2.76m, down by 78.8% from US$13.0m in the same period of 2018. This is part of a wider profit slump for Egyptian domestic cement producers, with Misr Cement Qena’s first half figure down by 85.2% to US$0.87m from US$6.00m a year ago.

China: The net profit of Anhui Conch Cement in the first half of 2019 was US$2.15bn, up 17.9% from US$2.11bn at the close of the first half of 2018. Anhui Conch’s interim report stated that the gross profit margin increased in the eastern and central regions by 2.67% and 0.51% respectively in response to steadily increasing market demand, and remained flat year-on-year in the southern region in spite of adverse weather precipitating a decline in the local market.

Ireland: CRH’s revenue for the six months up to 30th June 2019 was Euro13.2bn, up 11% from Euro11.9bn over the same period in 2018, with a 36% increase in EBITDA to Euro1.54bn from Euro1.13bn in the first half of 2018.

In its interim results, CRH attributed increased cement volumes in the US to synergy delivery and strong price realisation in spite of adverse weather conditions in its key markets, noting ‘a strong contribution from our Ash Grove acquisition,’ obtained at the end of June 2018.

A general improvement in cement pricing in the EU28 saw operating profits ahead of the first half of 2018, with increased demand in the French market from non-residential and civil engineering sectors offsetting the effects of reduced residential demand. The UK market reversed this trend, with operating profit behind 2018 due to higher input costs and volume pressure.

In addition to operating profit improvements reported by subsidiary businesses in the Philippines, CRH group benefited from its share in profit after tax of China’s Yatai Building Materials and India’s My Home Industries Limited, both of which enjoyed improved operating profits compared to 2018.

China: Tianrui Cement’s revenue rose by 27.6% year-on-year to US$778m in the first half of 2018 from US$610m in the same period in 2017. Its profit grew by 63.9% to US$131m from US$80m. Its cement sales volumes rose by 9.8% to 14.6Mt. Sales increased faster in Central China than Northeastern China. It attributed the result to its market strategy and increased prices.

Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos’ revenue rose by 3.8% year-on-year to US$1.44bn in the first half of 2019 from US$1.39bn in the same period in 2018. Sales growth was driven by ready-mixed concrete and the company’s other businesses as cement sales fell slightly. It reported a profit of US$29.4m compared to a loss of US$72m previously. Its cement sales volumes fell by 6% to 13.8Mt from 14.7Mt.

"In the first half of the year, we achieved net revenue growth and stability in our leverage, even though the Brazilian economy has not yet achieved the anticipated recovery and despite the impact of an atypical seasonality in North America. In this second quarter, we followed our investment plan and inaugurated a new production line of mortar, in Cuiabá, and one of agricultural solutions, in Nobres, both in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso," said Osvaldo Ayres Filho, Global chief financial officer (CFO) of Votorantim Cimentos. The company added that higher prices in Brazil, growing sales in North America and positive currency effects successfully offset poor results in Turkey.

Australia: Wagners’ net profit fell by 49% year-on-year to US$8.66m in its financial year to 30 June 2019 from US$16.8m in the same period in 2018. It blamed lower cement sales volumes on a dispute with Boral and a delay in large infrastructure projects. It suspended its supply of cement to Boral in March 2019 when the latter company said it had found cheaper cement from a ‘long established’ supplier in South East Queensland. Wagners sales revenue grew by 2.3% to US$161m from US$157m.

Egypt: Suez Cement made a loss during the first half of 2019. Its net loss reached US$17.7m over the six month period, from a profit of US$14.4m in the first six months of 2018. The company generated US$199m in revenue during the first six months of 2019, compared to US$238m a year earlier.

Colombia: Argos, the cement company of Grupo Argos, reported a 10.6% increase in revenue during the first half of 2019, driven mainly by higher cement volumes in the US and the start of price recovery in Colombia. Its consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 4%.

The company earned US$1.42m in revenue, with a net profit of US$22m, 33.5% higher than in the first half of 2018. Its EBITDA in the US was US$262.4m. Cement shipments were close to 8Mt, 1.2% higher than in the first half of 2018, and concrete dispatches were 5Mm3, a decrease of 2.5% due to the impact of heavy rains in some regions of the US.

“In the first half of 2019 we continued to strengthen our operation and our presence in the United States with the execution of the BEST 2.0 efficiency plan, which, added to the best price dynamics that we began to see in Colombia, allowed us to compensate the pressure we experienced in energy costs,” said Juan Esteban Calle, CEO of Argos. “The significant progress of our divestment plan in non-strategic assets allows us to continue focusing on improving the competitiveness of the company and innovating in products, services and solutions to support the growth of our customers.”

In the US Argos earned revenues of US$781m, 3.5% higher than in the first half of 2018. Its US EBITDA was stable year-on-year at US$108m. Cement dispatches in the US increased by 6.9% to exceed 3Mt, but concrete dispatches decreased by 3.8%, mainly due to heavy rains in the south-central region. The profit in the US was US$11m.

In Colombia revenues during the first half of 2019 were US$352m, 3.3% higher than in the first half of 2018. EBITDA was US$72m, 4% lower year-on-year. Cement dispatches totaled 2.4Mt, a 2.5% reduction. On the other hand, concrete sales remained stable at 1.4Mm3. The company reported that its Argos ONE digital platform continued to give ‘great’ results. From January 2019 to July 2019, 63% of cement and 44% of concrete dispatches were made through this digital platform.

In the Caribbean and Central America, the company highlighted that operations in the Dominican Republic and Haiti continued to be positive, compensating for the challenging political environment that was evident during the period in Honduras and Panama.

In this region, revenues stood at US$286m, a 4.5% reduction year-on-year. EBITDA in this region came to US$79m dollars, 19.8% lower year-on-year. Cement dispatches were 2.5Mt and concrete dispatches were 194,000m3, 1.5% and 3% lower respectively year-on-year.

Austria: RHI Magnesita, a global supplier of refractory products, systems and services, achieved a revenue of Euro1.54bn in the first half of 2019, an increase of 2.2% year-on-year despite challenges in some of its major markets. Its adjusted earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) increased by 12.3% to Euro234m from Euro209m, driven by the realisation of a further Euro10m of synergies and the strength of its Industrial Division. RHI Magnesita’s operating free cash flow of Euro129m was driven by EBITA growth.

“I am pleased to announce a robust financial performance in the first half of 2019,” said Stefan Borgas, CEO of RHI Magnesita. “Despite difficult end markets, we have seen a very strong performance from our Industrial Division, offsetting a slightly softer performance from the Steel Division in more challenging market conditions.”

China: China Resources Cement (CRC) has reported lower net profits for the six months that ended on 30 June 2019, largely on falling sales of cement, clinker and concrete amid a slowing Chinese economy. Its net profit was US$481m, compared with US$510m in the first half of 2018. Revenue for the first half dropped by 6.0% year-on-year to US$2.22bn. The company said it will continue to seek partnerships with domestic and overseas companies as it noted that the Chinese economy is facing new downward pressure.