
Displaying items by tag: GCW366
Colombian slowdown affects Cementos Argos
14 August 2018Colombia: Cementos Argos has announced that its second quarter net profit for 2018 slid by 59.7% to US$10m, due to a slowdown in the construction sector. Its operating revenue rose by 1.4% to US$741.6m during the same period.
“A recovery in demand is expected during the second half of the year given the increase in consumer confidence and positive signs for the residential sector, especially in social housing," said Cementos Argos in a statement.
Tokyo loses out as construction slumps
14 August 2018Sri Lanka: Tokyo Cement plc, which operates grinding plants and bulk cement terminals in Sri Lanka, lost US$3.78m in the three months to 30 June 2018 due to falling revenues, as well as a one-off loss of US$2.37m on the sale of a ship. The group had reported a profit of US$5.04m in the same period of 2017.
In the three months to 30 June 2018 Tokyo Cement’s gross profit fell by 27% year-on-year to US$9.36m, with revenues falling by 4% to US$48m and costs rising by 4% to US$39m.
Tokyo reported to its shareholders that delayed local government polls had halted small projects country-wide, leading to a slowdown in the construction sector.
Marine exports from Pakistan on the rise
14 August 2018Pakistan: Cement exports by sea from Pakistan increased by 133.7% from 144,000t in July 2017 to 340,000t in July 2018. The increase in exports via sea offset a decrease in overland exports to Afghanistan and India. Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan and India decreased by around 44.9% and 44.4% respectively in July 2018. Hence, overall exports increased by 9.3% in July 2018 to 0.53Mt from 0.48Mt in July 2017.
China to press ahead with consolidation as profits rise
14 August 2018China: Asia Cement (China) said that its profit attributable to owners for the six months that ended on 30 June 2018 surged by a factor of 10.7 to reach US$139.3m compared to the same period of 2017. Revenue amounted to US$718.8m, an increase of 47% from a year earlier.
Meanwhile, China Resources Cement (CRC) announced that its net profit for the first six months of 2018 was US$2.0bn, a rise of 145.5% year-on-year. CRC’s turnover amounted to US$2.36bn, an increase of 40.4% from a year earlier.
The Chinese government has once again reiterated that it will continue to strictly prohibit cement companies from adding new capacity, despite improving profits. Years of efforts to cut excess capacity in the sector have helped to improve the industry's profits, but signs are emerging that some factories are increasing new capacity, according to Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which released a joint statement with the state economic planning agency. It said that expansion projects to produce more cement, won't be approved. In addition, factories' plans to replace out-dated capacity with new capacity must comply with government rules.
Chettinad accused of land encroachment
14 August 2018India: The Madras High Court has pulled up Chettinad Cement Corportation (Chettinad) for encroaching upon public land to construct railway track to its factory at Ariyalur. It has ordered a probe by an IAS officer. Justice SM Subramaniam also ordered a probe into the role of government officials, who may have colluded with the factory management to squat on government land without permission.
"Such industries cannot encroach upon the government land, which is not only a water body, but also used as a pathway by the villagers and the people of that locality,” said Justice Subramaniam.
The court passed the order while dismissing a plea moved by Chettiand against the action of the sub-collector against the encroachment. The court further directed the district administration to evict all such encroachments made by the company on the land and water bodies within two weeks.
Chinese plant coming to Bangladesh
10 August 2018China: Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Power Engineering is seeking US$100m of project financing for a cement plant that is being built by the Bangladesh-based Deshbandhu Group, according to company secretary Duan Qiurong.
On 2 August 2018 it was announced that Energy China had signed a contract with Deshbandhu to construct a cement plant with a daily production capacity of 1500t/day. Duan said that the company will be responsible for the project's financing. The funding will mainly come from China’s policy banks and international policy banks along with the Bangladesh government and international bank consortia.
James Hardie profit jumps 58%
10 August 2018Australia: James Hardie Industries increased its net profit by 58% year-on-year to US$90.6m in the three months to 30 June 2018. Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were up by 21% to US$107.1m. Net sales were up by 28% to US$651m.
CEO Louis Gries said, "Our North America Fibre Cement Segment delivered solid top line growth of 10% for the quarter. Volumes increased by 5%, with our interiors business having only marginal growth and our exteriors business returning to growth above our addressable market. While we have returned to growth above our market index in our exteriors business, increased traction will be required to hit our 2019 financial year targeted range.”
“Within our Asia Pacific Fibre Cement Segment, net sales increased 15% for the quarter, primarily due to the strong growth in our Australian business,” added Gries. “Furthermore, EBIT increased 7% for the quarter, driven by the strong performance of our Australian business, partially offset by the performance of our New Zealand business.”
Taiheiyo sees improved fortunes at start of 2019 fiscal year
10 August 2018Japan: Taiheiyo Cement has reported its financial results for the first quarter of its 2019 fiscal year, a period that ended on 30 June 2018.
During the three month period, its revenue was US$1.9bn, a 5.5% increase from US$1.8bn in the same period of its 2018 fiscal year. Taiheiyo’s operating profit was US$88.0m, a 10% year-on-year increase from US$79.8m. Its net profit was US$55.3m, a year-on-year increase of 32.6% from US$41.7m.
Loma Negra’s fortunes on the rise
10 August 2018Argentina: Loma Negra has announced its results for the three and six-month periods that ended on 30 June 2018. Its net revenue rose by 37.2% year-on-year to US$202m, mainly driven by growth in its core cement, masonry and lime businesses in Argentina. Argentine cement, masonry and lime net revenues rose by 33.4%, despite relatively flat sales volumes.
Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 26.9% year-on-year to US$49m, mainly driven by the 36.6% increase in adjusted EBITDA from Argentina. Cement, masonry and lime sales in Argentina came to US$42m.
Commenting on the financial and operating performance for the second quarter of 2018, Sergio Fairman, Loma Negra’s Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our core business, cement in Argentina, continued to deliver a solid performance, posting both revenue growth and EBITDA margin expansion despite the current challenging macroeconomic environment in the country. This was achieved despite relatively flat volumes year-on-year, as we continue with our strategy of balancing profitability and market position. Sustained growth in concrete volume demand, by contrast, was supported by ongoing implementation of public infrastructure projects in our key markets."
"Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic with the cement demand outlook in Argentina. Despite the potential impact of an adverse macro environment in the second half of the year and, given current market conditions, we believe the industry could reach similar record volumes (to those) achieved last year."
Sales up in Puerto Rico
10 August 2018Puerto Rico: Total cement sales in Puerto Rico expanded by 30% in July 2018, compared to July 2017, representing the seventh consecutive monthly increase. Sales of cement rose to 50,739t. Cement production rose by 19% over the same period.