Loma Negra - Q2 2022

Transcript

Operator (participant)

Good morning, and welcome to the Loma Negra second quarter 2022 conference call and webcast. All participants will be in a listen only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Also, Mr. Sergio Faifman will be responding in Spanish immediately following an English translation. To ask a question, you may press star then one on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, please press star then two. Please note that this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Diego Jalón, Head of IR. Please, Diego, go ahead.

Diego Jalón (Head of Investor Relations)

Thank you. Good morning, and welcome to Loma Negra's earnings conference call. By now, everyone should have access to our earnings press release and the presentation for today's call, both of which were distributed yesterday after market close. Joining me on the call this morning will be Sergio Faifman, our CEO and Vice President of the Board of Directors, and our CFO, Marcos Gradin. Both of them will be available for the Q&A session. Before we proceed, I would like to make the following safe harbor statements. Today's call will contain forward-looking statements, and I refer you to the forward-looking statements section of our earnings release and recent filing with the SEC. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new or changed events or circumstances. This conference call will also include discussion on non-GAAP financial measures.

The full reconciliation of the corresponding financial measures is included in the earnings press release. Now, I would like to turn the call over to Sergio.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Thank you, Diego. Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. As usual, I will begin my presentation with a discussion of the highlights of the quarter, and then Marcos will take you through our market review and financial results. After that, I will provide some final remarks, and then we will open the call to your questions. Starting with slide three, we end the quarter with another solid set of results, supported on the positive trend of cement demand that is surpassing historical records. As you could see from our release yesterday, our adjusted EBITDA for the quarter reached $63 million, compared with $48 million in the second quarter of 2021. When measured in pesos, it shows an increase of 2.6% year-on-year. Sustained by our production efficiency and increased flexibility, supported to a large extent by the recent investment in capacity.

Loma is successfully coping with the complex situation of the global energy market that has helped demand cement profitability worldwide. In this context, we keep delivering solid results. We consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin of 29% and a sound US dollar EBITDA per ton of $36.5, 8% above 2021's second quarter. Finally, following the dividends that we paid in April and leveraging our solid balance sheet and cash flow generation, we decide to distribute a second dividend of $81 million, totaling $126 million for the year, reaching an outstanding dividend yield of 17%. I will now hand off the call to Marcos Gradin, who will lead you through our market review and financial results. Please, Marcos, go ahead.

Marcos Gradin (CFO)

Thank you, Sergio. Good morning, everyone. As you can see on slide four, the GDP forecast for 2022 was slightly increased in the last market expectation report from the central bank, reaching 3.4% from the previous 3.2%, as the first quarter showed a 6% growth. In this context, construction activity measured by the ISAC shows a strong momentum, pulling the general economic growth as figures from the sectors are above consolidated economy level, showing its robustness in this moment of political and economic uncertainty. Regarding cement national industry sales, the first half of the year has exceeded all initial expectations. After a strong first quarter that showed a seven percent increase year-over-year, the second quarter surge growing almost 16% year-over-year, with same month accumulated figures reaching 11.5%.

This tendency continued in July, that registered an increase of 9%, which make us optimistic that this trend is going to continue and that we are on track to surpass the annual historical record of 2015. Bag cement volumes remain solid on the back of residential demand, showing a more moderate growth. As in the last few quarters, growth came especially from the bag shipments, driven by a higher level of activity in private, residential, and industrial infrastructure projects, and coupled by a moderate recovery in public works, particularly at the municipal and provincial level.

We can see this dynamic in the breakdown by dispatch month, where bags shows a participation of 43% against the previous 40% in the second quarter of 2021. We said before, we are cautiously optimistic for next quarter, taking into consideration that the challenging current political and macroeconomic situation could negatively affect future growth. Turning to slide five for a review of our top-line performance by segment. Top line was up 8% in the second quarter, mainly due to the increase in cement revenues, coupled with a positive performance of all other segments. Cement, masonry cement and lime segment, was up 6.2%, with volume expanding sharply 19.3% year-on-year, with a softer pricing dynamic. Concrete revenues recovered strongly 27.5% in the quarter.

Volumes were up 26.3%, coupled with good pricing performance and following the strong momentum of bulk cement. In the same way, aggregate showed some revenues recovery of 105%. Volumes expanded 64.7% on the back of concrete demand and ongoing lock works in the province of Buenos Aires, coupled with good pricing performance. Finally, railroad revenues increased 5.6% in the quarter year-on-year. Transported volumes were up 11.4%, boosted by construction materials, while price was negatively impacted by product mix and a lower average distance transported. Moving on to slide seven.

Consolidated gross profit for the quarter slightly improved 0.6% year-on-year, with margin contracted by 205 basis points to 28.1%, mainly impacted by a lower price performance of our core segment and higher depreciations due to the completion of L'Amalí second line, partially offset by proper cost management due to our operational improvements and production flexibilities. Cement and railroad gross margin. Construction was slightly offset by a better performance of concrete and good results in aggregates. SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues remain flattish, slightly decreasing 11 basis points to 8.7% from 8.6%. Please turn to slide eight.

Our adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter stood at $63 million, up 31.7% from forty-eight million dollars in the same quarter a year ago, boosted by our top line and adequate cost management. In pesos, adjusted EBITDA was up 2.6% in the quarter, reaching ARS 7.3 billion with consolidated EBITDA margin of 29%, contracted by 151 basis points year-on-year, affected by cement margin contraction and the higher participation in the top line of the other segments with lower margins. Cement segment adjusted EBITDA margin reached 32.5%, contracted 155 basis points, mainly due to a softer pricing dynamics and higher energy inputs, partially offset by an increase in sales volume.

On a per-ton basis, EBITDA reached $36.5 per ton, increasing 8% from second quarter 2021. Concrete adjusted EBITDA increased ARS 46 million compared to second quarter 2021, mainly explained by a positive price performance at higher volumes, with margin expansion of 371 basis points, but still in negative ground. Aggregate adjusted EBITDA improved from ARS 25 million in second quarter 2021 to ARS 64 million this quarter, reaching a margin of 9.7% and showing a great recovery for the segment, favored by a better pricing and a higher sales volume. Finally, Railroad adjusted EBITDA decreased ARS 25 million to ARS 73 million for the quarter, with a margin of 3.4%, mainly due to the impact of price performance affected by product mix and a lower average transported distance despite the volume expansion.

Moving on to the bottom line on slide 10, our profit stood at ARS 2.5 billion, reverting a loss of ARS 2 billion posted the same quarter of last year, which was affected primarily by an increase in the income tax rate. Total financial cost stood at ARS 0.3 billion during this quarter from a total financial gain of ARS 0.5 billion the same quarter last year, where the decrease of the net financial expense partially and the lower gain on the monetary position compensated the loss in exchange rate difference. As mentioned, our net financial expense decreased by ARS 0.2 billion to ARS 0.5 billion compared to the same quarter last year due to the variations in our debt and cash position and the effect of the real interest rate.

Measured in US dollars, our net income for the first quarter was $55 million compared to $49 million in second quarter 2021. Moving on to the balance sheet. As you can see on slide 11, we ended the quarter with a cash position of ARS 13.3 billion and a total debt at ARS 13.6 billion. Consequently, our net debt to EBITDA ratio stood at 0.01 times compared to -0.12 times at the end of 2021. Our operating cash generations stood at ARS 2 billion, reflecting higher profitability coupled with the positive effects on taxes paid in comparison year-on-year due to the impact of the divestment in Paraguay on second quarter 2021.

Regarding capital expenditure, we spent ARS 1.1 billion, mostly for maintenance CapEx after the termination of the L'Amalí expansion and the corresponding reduction in capital requirements. During quarter, we increased our debt in $100 million, standing at $109 million at the end of the quarter. Breaking it down by currency, 58% was denominated in U.S. dollars, while the rest is in pesos. Leverage on our strong balance sheet and standing by our focus on maximizing value to our shareholders, following the dividend payment in April of $45 million, in July, we distributed another dividend of $81 million, reaching a sound dividend yield of approximately 17%. Now for our final remarks, I would like to hand over the call back to Sergio.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Thank you, Marcos. Now to finalize the presentation, I please ask you to turn to slide 13. As we mentioned before, the construction activity in general, and in particular, the cement market, is showing a great dynamic, consolidating the tendency shown in the first quarter and on track to settle a new historic record. On the other hand, we are going through a complex political and macroeconomic situation, the scope and outcome of which are still difficult to determine. In this context, we are very satisfied with the result that we have just presented to you that remarks Loma's operational efficiency and flexibility and the commitment to always keep improving. As we state in one of our principles, we constantly challenge ourselves, and it's at times like this when we can show that we really stand by it.

Looking ahead, and considering that some volatility could be expected due to the macroeconomic situation and recent FX tension, we are optimistic that the positive trend for the cement is going to continue, and Loma is up to face the challenges. As always, I would like to thank all our people and stakeholder, very important pillars where we support our sustainability growth. This is end of our prepared remarks. We are now ready to take questions. Operator, please open the call for questions.

Operator (participant)

Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. As a reminder, Mr. Sergio Faifman will be responding in Spanish, immediately following an English translation. To ask a question, you may press star then one on your touchtone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the key. To withdraw your question, please press star then two. Our first question today will come from Alejandra Obregon with Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Alejandra Obregon (VP and Equity Research Analyst)

Hi, good morning, Loma Negra team. Congratulations on the results, and thank you for the call. My first question is on your recently released sustainability report and your targets and perhaps some of the trends that we have seen the last quarters worldwide. By this, I mean blended cement gaining a lot of traction either to reduce clinker factor or to protect profitability. I was wondering if you could elaborate where your clinker factor is today, whether you see space to reduce it even more from where it is, and whether blended cement is something that you are exploring and could gain some traction in Argentina as well.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Good morning, Alejandra. Thank you for your question. Within our report, we are defining our targets for the next few years. We believe that regarding clinker factor, we have some space to improve. Clinker factor and another KPIs is what we are targeting and focusing on to improve and to advance in the next few years.

Alejandra Obregon (VP and Equity Research Analyst)

Understood. That was very clear. If I may have space for another question. I have a question on demand. You mentioned that there's a greater contribution from private buildings, from industrial, continued strength in residential. I was just wondering if you could provide some color on, in terms of backlog, what you're expecting in terms of verticals for the back half of the year, and for demand overall. Thanks.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

For the second half of the year, we believe that volumes are going to be similar of what we saw in the first quarter, in the first semester. Where we observed that bulk cement represents almost 40% of the total market. With some variations between months, we think that this 60/40 breakdown is going to be sustained.

Alejandra Obregon (VP and Equity Research Analyst)

Understood. That was very clear. Thank you very much, and congratulations again.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

You're welcome.

Operator (participant)

Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star then one. Our next question will come from Rodrigo Nistor with AR Partners. Please go ahead.

Rodrigo Nistor (Senior Research Analyst)

Hi. Good morning. Thank you for taking my question, and congratulations on the results. My question is regarding your pricing strategy. Expecting inflation for Argentina this year will likely exceed 90%. What are you planning to do to reduce the negative impact of rising costs? Thank you.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Good day, Rodrigo. Thank you for your question.

Speaker 7

Good morning, Rodrigo. Thank you for your question.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Our pricing strategy, as we always say, is a strategy that is linked to our costs and general inflation at Loma Negra.

Speaker 7

As we always say, our price strategy is linked to inflation and to the evolution of internal costs of Loma Negra.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

As you can see in this statement and in previous ones, in addition to this pricing strategy, there is a very strong focus on cost containment across all lines.

Speaker 7

As you can see in these financial statements, there is also a very strong cost management.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Without a doubt, cost inflation is a focal point for us.

Speaker 7

There's no doubt that inflation, cost inflation is an issue for us that we care about.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Looking at the results we presented this quarter, they include part of the company's winter costs, which are the worst of the year, right?

Speaker 7

In this quarter, you can see the impact of some of the winter costs that are the higher costs that the company is going to face during the year.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Moving forward, we are seeing that this inflation, this inflation pressure, will continue, but at the same time, thermal energy costs are going to be lower than what we were paying in the winter.

Speaker 7

Looking forward, even though we see that the pressure of inflation is going to continue, we are going to have lower thermal energy costs.

Rodrigo Nistor (Senior Research Analyst)

Thank you. That was really helpful.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

You're welcome.

Operator (participant)

Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star then one. Our next question will come from Daniel Rojas with Bank of America. Please go ahead.

Daniel Rojas (VP and Equity Research Analyst)

Hi, this is actually Daniel Rojas from Bank of America. My question is regarding a follow-up from the previous question. Could you please drill down on natural gas and the prices you've seen and the average prices you think you can see in the second half? Follow up from that one, the Néstor Kirchner gas pipeline. There has been a lot of talk on the potential benefits for the company. Do you have a timeline or an outlook on this project and how it can help margins for the company? Thank you.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Good day. Thank you very much for the question.

Speaker 7

Hi. Thank you for your question, Daniel.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

The natural gas prices that we are currently seeing, if one looks at them comparatively, are about 45% higher than last year at this same time.

Speaker 7

If you see the prices of natural gas are above 45% compared to the same period last year.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

At the same time, some of the contracts that we have already closed for the second half of the year are about 30% below the current price.

Speaker 7

Some of the contracts that we closed for the second half of the year are about 30%.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

What we are seeing is undoubtedly an increase in the cost of thermal energy compared to last year.

Speaker 7

We are seeing an increase regarding thermal energy from last year.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

It should remain below the current levels through the winter.

Speaker 7

We should see it below the levels that we are seeing now.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Regarding the pipeline and more, we are not forecasting significant impacts, logically, in the short to medium term on our gas supply or our gas prices.

Speaker 7

Regarding the pipeline, we are not seeing effects or positive effects in the short term.

Sergio Faifman (CEO)

Within what is the gas demand, we believe it could have some impact after next winter of 2023.

Speaker 7

Probably seeing the gas demand, we can expect to see some positive effects after next winter.

Daniel Rojas (VP and Equity Research Analyst)

Do you have some idea on the level of savings that you'll be able to achieve once the pipeline is online?

Speaker 7

We think it's going to be linked regarding the how much gas is going to be available for internal consumption and how much is going to be available for export. Especially with the reference price of export that is going to be. It's going to determine the savings that we are going to have with the internal consumption.

Daniel Rojas (VP and Equity Research Analyst)

Thank you. That's very clear. A follow-up, if I may. Going forward, what do you think will be the running rate for your dividends, in 2023 and going forward? Thanks.

Speaker 7

We don't have a written dividend policy. Probably in 2023, we are going to continue focusing on maximizing value for our shareholders.

Daniel Rojas (VP and Equity Research Analyst)

Thank you.

Speaker 7

You're welcome.

Operator (participant)

This will conclude our question and answer session. I'd like to turn the conference back over to Diego Jalón for any closing remarks.

Diego Jalón (Head of Investor Relations)

Thank you, Cole. Thank you, everybody, for making us today. We really appreciate your participation and interest in our company. We look forward to meet you again in our next call, and in the meantime, we remain available for any questions that you may have. Thank you, and have a nice day.

Operator (participant)

The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect your lines at this time.