Isabella Simonato

Isabella Simonato questioned Ambev's pricing strategy for Brazil Beer in 2026, considering the balance between a more favorable market backdrop (World Cup, holidays) and internal cost pressures (COGS growing above inflation, strong SG&A base). She also asked for insights on mix, especially during the World Cup, and which variable would be most relevant for volume growth.

Answer

CEO Carlos Lisboa outlined Ambev's dual pricing mission: maintaining industry accessibility while protecting profitability and expanding margins. He emphasized the complete portfolio and the digital ecosystem (BEES) for granular revenue management, effective promotions, and optimizing mix. Lisboa stated that these strategies should be sufficient to offset COGS impacts, similar to 2025. CFO Guilherme Fleury added that costs and expenses are managed holistically through continuous resource allocation, with a long-term ambition for margin expansion.

Isabella Simonato asked about Ambev's 2026 Brazil Beer outlook, balancing a favorable backdrop with internal challenges like rising costs and a tough SG&A base. She sought insights into the pricing strategy, mix expectations during the World Cup, and the most relevant variable for volume growth.

Answer

Carlos Lisboa (CEO, Ambev) explained that the pricing strategy balances accessibility for consumers with protecting profitability and expanding margins. He emphasized the complete portfolio and the digital ecosystem (BEES) for granular revenue management and positive mix impact. Guilherme Fleury (CFO and Investor Relations Officer, Ambev) added that cost and expense management is holistic, with an ambition to increase margins over time by reinvesting behind brands.

Isabella Simonato asked about Brazil beer sell-out volumes versus sell-in for Q1, the trajectory of the Skol brand, and whether the steep year-over-year decline in Q1 CapEx is indicative of the full-year trend.

Answer

Executive Carlos Eduardo Lisboa confirmed that sell-out volumes were slightly positive and in line with Ambev's performance, resulting in stable market share. He acknowledged that the Skol brand was the primary driver of the core segment's decline but reaffirmed its strategic importance and the company's commitment to restoring its growth. CFO Guilherme Fleury de Figueiredo Parolari addressed CapEx, stating that while he could not provide guidance, the company remains highly disciplined in its capital deployment and asset utilization.

Isabella Simonato of Bank of America requested more details on the company's mention of pursuing inorganic growth. She also asked how Ambev plans to achieve margin expansion given the 2025 cost guidance for Brazil Beer is above inflation, seeking specifics on revenue management levers.

Answer

CEO Carlos Eduardo Lisboa described 2024 as the beginning of a margin recovery journey, stating that a strong focus on productivity and revenue management would be key to delivering margin expansion. CFO Lucas Lira clarified that organic growth remains the top priority, with inorganic growth being a secondary use of excess capital for strategic, value-accretive opportunities at the right price.

Isabella Simonato inquired about the performance dynamics within Brazil's mainstream beer segment, focusing on the Brahma and Antarctica brands. She also asked about capital allocation strategy, given the year-over-year decrease in CapEx and strong free cash flow.

Answer

Executive Jean Neto stated that the core segment grew low single-digits, with focus brand Brahma and supporting brand Antarctica performing well, while Skol was a detractor. Executive Lucas Lira addressed capital allocation, explaining that Ambev is in a lower CapEx cycle after heavy investments from 2020-2022. He affirmed the strategy remains to reinvest for growth and return excess cash to shareholders, with a final decision by the Board at year-end.

Isabella Simonato inquired about the context of recent board and director changes, particularly their impact on Raizen, and whether these changes stemmed from a new shareholders' agreement, including Shell's opinion on Raizen's JV decisions.

Answer

Marcelo Martins, VP of Finance, Cosan, clarified that board changes are a consequence of new partners and are positive for the company's future, aligning with efforts to streamline the holding company. He also explained that Raizen's board appointments adhere to the pre-existing shareholders' agreement with Shell, with no changes made to those terms.

Isabella Simonato inquired about management's perspective on Raizen's recent performance and its operational prospects for fiscal year 2026. Additionally, she asked for details on the forward-looking liability management strategy, particularly concerning the remaining preferred shares.

Answer

Executive Marcelo Martins stated that Raizen's management is implementing swift changes to focus on its core business and improve efficiency, with divestments of energy and plant assets being actively pursued. Executive Rodrigo Alves added that while significant liability management occurred in Q1, the company will now hold more liquidity due to market uncertainty but will remain opportunistic. He noted the preferred shares are continuously monitored for cost-efficiency but are not a top priority for redemption.

Isabella Simonato asked about Cosan's debt profile, inquiring about the expected reduction in financial expenses following the Vale share disposal and associated liability management. She also requested clarification on the terms of the preferred shares and their role in the company's deleveraging strategy.

Answer

Executive Rodrigo Alves explained that the liability management strategy prioritizes callable, low-cost debt, such as the '27 bonds, and larger tranches like the '29, '30, and '31 bonds, to extend maturities without significant cost increases. He clarified that the preferred shares are not directly linked to the Vale acquisition, as proceeds are being used for bond and debenture liabilities. While no immediate changes are planned for the preferred shares, the company is monitoring optimization opportunities due to their cost step-up feature over time.

Isabella Simonato asked for a reconciliation of working capital consumption, distinguishing between volume growth and higher raw material prices, and sought details on overall volume growth and the contribution from organic expansion. She also inquired about SEARA's export market dynamics in Q4 2025 and beyond, following the removal of bans from Europe and China, and the impact on its domestic market mix.

Answer

Guilherme Cavalcanti, Global CFO of JBS, stated that the major part of working capital consumption was due to prices, with Pilgrim's Pride and JBS Brazil volumes up 3%, and SEARA volumes up 8%. Gilberto Tomazoni, Global CEO of JBS, confirmed the lifting of restrictions from Europe and China, highlighting their importance for SEARA's mix optimization and market share. He anticipates strong export demand for Brazilian chicken in 2026, compensating for 2025's flat growth.

Isabella Simonato inquired about the breakdown of JBS's top-line growth, specifically how much was driven by volume expansion versus price increases, and how much came from organic expansion and new operating lines. She also asked about the outlook for the Brazilian chicken export market in Q4 and 2026, following the removal of bans from Europe and China, and the dynamic of mix in Seara's domestic market.

Answer

Guilherme Cavalcanti (Global CFO, JBS) clarified that the major part of working capital consumption was due to prices, with Pilgrim's Pride and JBS Brazil seeing 3% volume growth, and Seara 8% volume growth, while some business units experienced 16-24% price increases. Gilberto Tomazoni (Global CEO, JBS) confirmed the lifting of restrictions from Europe and China, highlighting their importance for Seara's mix optimization and profitability, especially for breast and wing exports. He expects strong export demand for Brazilian chicken in 2026, compensating for 2025's flat performance.

Isabella Simonato of Bank of America requested more details on the Bitcoin mining partnership, including terms and contract length. She also asked about the impact of the new shareholder structure on the stock's trading liquidity and if there were any plans to address it.

Answer

CEO Mariano Bosch responded that the stock's liquidity remains reasonable and above its historical average, so it is not a current concern. On the Bitcoin partnership, he reiterated that it is a small-scale test using 5% of their energy production. The exact terms of the agreement are still being finalized, but the goal is to validate if they can achieve a highly attractive effective energy sale price, potentially above $80 per megawatt-hour.

Isabella Simonato of Bank of America followed up on ethanol price dynamics, asking for more detail on the context and timing for the ethanol-gasoline price parity potentially reaching 70%, given recent market history and upcoming seasonal production increases.

Answer

Executive Renato Pereira explained that strong demand, tight inventories (1.8 months of consumption vs. 2.2 last year), and a potential delay in the new crop could push prices higher and surpass the 70% parity level. He noted that the expected smaller, more sugar-focused Center-South crop and a potential blend mandate increase create a positive outlook. Executive Mariano Bosch confirmed they are selling current stocks to capitalize on favorable prices.

Isabella Simonato asked for an outlook on agricultural yields in Argentina, given favorable planting conditions, and requested details on the crop mix, noting the reduced exposure to corn.

Answer

Executive Mariano Bosch confirmed expectations for better year-over-year yields, assuming normal weather. He detailed a strategic shift in crop mix, with an increase in soybeans and a significant expansion in peanuts, which command strong prices in Europe. Sunflower planting is also up due to higher oil prices. Bosch highlighted that their fully integrated rice business, with its special varieties, maintains pricing power, contributing to record EBITDA in the segment.

Isabella Simonato inquired about the outlook for North American operations in Q2, considering seasonal demand versus potential tariff impacts, and asked for more detail on the timing and monetization of tax synergies from the proposed BRF merger.

Answer

Timothy Klein, an executive, addressed the North America outlook, noting a typical lag between rising cattle prices and boxed beef prices, but expects improved demand to help. He stated that tariffs have not had a measurable margin impact yet. An executive identified as Ignacio explained that tax synergies would come in two waves: an initial wave from capital structure optimization, and a second wave requiring additional steps in the year following the merger's approval.

Isabella Simonato from Bank of America questioned the expected profitability contribution from the company's feedlot verticalization investments in South America. She also asked about capital allocation, specifically the alternatives for deleveraging the holding company and the role BRF's potential dividend payments would play.

Answer

An executive confirmed the feedlot strategy is successful, targeting 30% of supply from this system with slaughter beginning this year, which should improve margins and quality. Marcos dos Santos, an executive, addressed capital allocation, stating that both Marfrig and BRF are focused on reducing gross debt and deleveraging. He noted that BRF is prepared to pay dividends, with a decision on the amount likely next quarter.

Isabella Simonato sought clarification on a BRL 2 billion cash disbursement for 'advances to suppliers,' asking if this was a prepayment for cattle or funding for an expansion of the company's feedlot operations. She wanted to understand the strategic purpose and counterpart for this significant cash use.

Answer

Rui Mendonca, an executive for South America, clarified that the BRL 2 billion is not a prepayment but a strategic investment to expand Marfrig's own herd to account for 25% of the slaughter rate in its continued operations. He explained this vertical integration aims to improve supply stability, enhance raw material quality for value-added products, and accelerate traceability goals. The return on this working capital investment will be realized gradually through the sale of premium beef.

Inquired about the revenue growth outlook for 2025-2026, the consumer environment in the U.S. and Brazil, and requested an update on the dual listing process, including timelines and next steps with the SEC.

Answer

Executives noted strong global protein demand, particularly in the U.S. for beef and ready meals. Growth in Brazil is driven by value-added products. Regarding the dual listing, the company has filed with regulators in Brazil and will proceed with an official filing and a general assembly meeting, pending no challenges from the SEC. A specific timeline is difficult to provide as it depends on regulatory review.

Isabella Simonato of Bank of America inquired about the company's capital allocation strategy, given its significantly lower leverage. She asked about the outlook for CapEx, potential new growth avenues, and the focus on shareholder returns, specifically referencing the recently announced buyback program and the possibility of dividends.

Answer

CEO Miguel de Souza Gularte stated that despite the improved leverage, the primary focus remains on reducing gross debt to regain an investment-grade rating. He noted that CapEx levels for the year are expected to be similar to last year's, as there is still idle capacity to be utilized for growth. CFO Fabio Mendes Mariano added that the company will be attentive to liability management opportunities. Regarding shareholder returns, he emphasized that management is focused on improving results, and decisions on dividends are up to the controller and the board.