2Q25 Conference Call August 1, 2025 00 2Q25 – HIGHLIGHTS | | Business diversification and | Quarterly growth of 5% in | Solid cash and gross debt | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | an assertive commercial | adjusted EBITDA in 2Q25, reaching | management resulted in | | | strategy generate resilience | | further deleveraging in the | | | and solid performance | R$ 2.6 billion | quarter | | | EBITDA growth in all segments | Adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.5% | Indicator reached 3.24x, down 9 | | | except mining due ...

ZESTY For personal use only (Zero Emissions Steel TechnologY) 31 July 2025 Deep dive presentation Important Disclaimer This presentation has been prepared by Calix Limited (ABN 36 117 372 540) ("Company"). SUMMARY INFORMATION This presentation contains summary information about the Company and its subsidiaries ("Calix") and their activities current as at July 30, 2025. The information in this presentation is a general background and does not purport to be complete. NOT FINANCIAL PRODUCT ADVICE This presenta ...

Group 1 - Cemex is undergoing a significant transformation while maintaining solid margins and profitability despite a challenging environment [1] - The company's low-carbon strategy now accounts for over 55% of its EBITDA [1] - The market continues to value Cemex positively amidst these changes [1]

Summary of Conference Call Records Industry Overview - The Hong Kong stock market is primarily driven by southbound funds and passive investments, with significant increases in trading volume but no notable changes in active allocation ratios, indicating that long-term foreign capital has not significantly entered the market [1][4] - The market is experiencing a structural rally with rapid sector rotation, necessitating investor attention to specific sectors and industry dynamics [1][5] - The phenomenon of AH premium narrowing has been observed, with some companies trading at higher prices in Hong Kong than in A-shares, attributed to alignment with industrial development trends and foreign capital preferences [1][8] Key Points and Arguments - **Liquidity as a Dominant Factor**: The primary driver of the recent market activity has been liquidity rather than fundamentals, with a significant influx of southbound funds [2][10] - **Structural Market Characteristics**: The market has shown a high level of structural activity, with different sectors taking turns as hotspots, leading to a disparity between index returns and actual investment returns [5][6] - **Investment Opportunities**: The ongoing influx of southbound funds, which accounted for 8.2 trillion RMB this year, has positioned them as a dominant force in the market, particularly in ETFs and trading funds [10][11] - **Future Market Outlook**: The Chinese market is expected to continue facing a "money surplus but lack of quality assets" situation, which will sustain structural market trends [11][12] - **IPO and Placement Dynamics**: The balance of supply and demand in the market is expected to remain stable, with estimated IPO and placement absorption power around 3 trillion RMB, matching the supply from southbound funds and foreign capital [13][14] Important but Overlooked Content - **Sector-Specific Insights**: The electric equipment industry is expected to benefit significantly from the Yaxia Hydropower Station project, which has a total investment of approximately 1.2 trillion RMB, catalyzing long-term growth in related sectors [3][40] - **Impact of Policies on Industries**: The "anti-involution" policy is influencing the basic materials sector by reducing production capacity, which may benefit long-term industry development despite short-term profitability pressures [25][26] - **Investment Strategy Recommendations**: Investors are advised to position themselves during market lows rather than chasing highs, focusing on structural opportunities rather than overall index performance [18][19] Conclusion - The Hong Kong stock market is characterized by a liquidity-driven structural rally, with significant implications for various sectors, particularly in the context of ongoing policy changes and macroeconomic conditions. Investors are encouraged to adopt a strategic approach that emphasizes sector rotation and specific investment opportunities while being mindful of the broader market dynamics.

Core Insights - The company reported a consolidated sales decline of 2.7% to €1,885 million in the first half of 2025, with a slight increase of 0.2% on a like-for-like basis [4][45] - EBITDA decreased by 6.3% to €331 million, while consolidated net income rose by 1.1% to €116 million, reflecting resilience in the business model despite challenging market conditions [7][10] - The company achieved a significant reduction in net debt by €190 million year-on-year, with a leverage ratio of 1.81x, aligning with its 2025 debt reduction targets [23][24] Financial Performance - Consolidated sales: €1,885 million in H1 2025, down 2.7% reported, up 0.2% like-for-like [4][45] - EBITDA: €331 million, down 6.3% reported, down 2.0% like-for-like [7][45] - Recurring EBIT: €169 million, down 10.0% reported, down 4.4% like-for-like [45] - Consolidated net income: €116 million, up 1.1% reported, up 6.3% like-for-like [10][45] - Free cash flow: €44 million, a significant improvement from -€23 million in H1 2024 [22][45] Market and Operational Highlights - The company experienced a slowdown in cement activity in the U.S. and a recovery in Switzerland, with emerging markets like Brazil and the Mediterranean showing stronger performance [4][5] - The cement business reported a 1.7% increase in sales at constant scope and exchange rates, despite a 2.5% decline in volumes [14][70] - The integration of Cermix's construction chemicals activities contributed to a 17.5% increase in sales for Other Products & Services [14][72] Geographical Performance - France: Sales increased by 2.4% to €608 million, but EBITDA fell by 13.6% [15][47] - Americas: Sales decreased by 5.8% to €465 million, with a notable decline in the U.S. market [52][54] - Asia: Sales fell by 15.9% to €204 million, impacted by competitive pressures in India [58][59] - Mediterranean: Sales were stable, with a strong increase in Egypt, while Turkey showed recovery [61][65] Strategic Developments - The company is advancing its market plan with the start-up of Kiln 6 in Senegal and the acquisition of Realmix in Brazil, enhancing vertical integration [3][28] - Adjustments to 2025 operating profitability guidance were made to account for significant currency effects [3][31] Outlook - The company anticipates sales growth on a like-for-like basis and EBITDA growth of 2% to 5% at constant scope and exchange rates for 2025 [31][32] - The outlook considers ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, particularly regarding currency fluctuations [31][35]

Global Research ab 22 July 2025 First Read China Basic Materials How world's largest hydropower dam impacts China's cement & steel demand? cRmb1.2 trn and 15 years to build the world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet China's Premier Li Qiang announced the commencement of construction for the world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet on 19 July. The Tibet dam is expected to have an installed capacity of 60 GW, 2.7x of Three Gorges Dam, and take 10-20 years and Rmb1.2 trillion to complete. According to industry ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focused on the **Basic Materials** sector in the **Asia-Pacific** region, particularly in **cement, steel, metals, and coal** industries [1] - There is a noted trend of **supply rationalization** and **demand boost**, although the near-term impact is expected to be limited [1] Core Insights and Arguments Supply Rationalization - The **Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)** announced plans to stabilize growth in **10 key industries**, expanding to include metals and petrochemicals [1] - **Cement** sector capacity is to be cut to **1.6 billion tons (bnt)** from **2.1 bnt**, with a flexibility of 10% [2] - **Steel** production is expected to see a **3-5% supply cut** in FY25, with state-owned enterprises (SOEs) likely to cut **8-10%** from July to December [2][16] - **Lithium** production is facing disruptions, with a subsidiary of Zangge Mining ordered to suspend operations [36][37] Demand Boost - The announcement of a **RMB1.2 trillion** investment in the **Tibet mega-dam** is expected to positively impact market sentiment and drive demand for cement and steel [1][49] - The cement demand from the mega-dam project is projected at **30-40 million tons**, which is significant for local demand in Tibet [50] - The steel consumption from the mega-dam is estimated at **8-9 million tons** over the construction period [51] Price Trends - The average national cement price decreased by **0.5% week-over-week (WoW)** to **RMB330/ton** [11] - Steel margins are improving, with average rebar spot margin at **RMB99/ton**, compared to a loss of **RMB82/ton** in FY24 [16] - The price of imported iron ore increased by **2.3% WoW** to **US$99/ton** [23] Other Important Insights - The **solar sector** is undergoing significant changes, with a **30% production capacity cut** in solar glass and discussions of potential industry consolidation [26][30] - The **high-quality development action plans** for copper, aluminum, and gold industries aim to enhance resource assurance and technological innovation [32][33][34][35] - The **National Energy Administration (NEA)** is verifying coal production in eight provinces, but the impact on supply is expected to be limited [3][41][43] Conclusion - The **Basic Materials** sector is experiencing a shift towards supply rationalization and demand stimulation, particularly influenced by government initiatives and large infrastructure projects. However, the immediate effects on prices and production levels may take time to materialize, and ongoing disruptions in lithium and coal production could pose risks to supply stability [1][36][41]

Aliko Dangote has retired as chairman and director of Nigeria’s Dangote Cement Plc, the company he founded, according to a statement https://t.co/V4W43PkWnS ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the **Chinese market**, particularly the **new energy vehicles (NEV)**, **solar**, **coal**, and **cement** sectors, in the context of the **anti-involution initiative** aimed at reducing unhealthy competition and improving corporate profitability [2][3][7]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Anti-Involution Initiative**: - The initiative is gaining momentum, with calls for industries to self-regulate to avoid damaging competition. This is expected to improve supply-demand dynamics, drive price recovery, and enhance corporate profitability [2][3]. - China's Producer Price Index (PPI) fell by **2.8% YoY** in the first half of 2025, marking the **33rd consecutive month** of declines, alongside a **9.1% YoY drop** in industrial profit in May [2][12][14]. 2. **Market Reactions**: - Historical parallels are drawn to the **2015-16 supply-side reform**, which led to price increases in materials and a re-rating of relevant sectors. Sectors addressing unhealthy competition, such as solar and power batteries, have recently rebounded [3][4][21]. - Stock prices initially reacted positively to new policies during the supply-side reform, providing excess returns relative to the broader market for **1-2 months** [4]. 3. **Commodity Price Correlation**: - Stock prices initially moved in tandem with commodity prices and production changes, but later decoupled. Significant price increases for relevant commodities occurred during two periods in 2015-16 [5][26]. 4. **Corporate Profitability**: - The coal sector's profitability improved significantly in the second half of 2016, with nearly **90% of capacity** turning profitable by the end of Q3 2016, compared to **8%** in November 2015 [6][31]. 5. **Differences from Previous Reforms**: - The anti-involution push is expected to have a smoother and longer-lasting impact on stock prices compared to the supply-side reform, focusing more on downstream industries where non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) are prevalent [7][9]. Indicators for Investors - Investors should monitor: - Specific capacity controls and recovery in product prices (e.g., polysilicon prices) - Capacity utilization rates in relevant businesses - Rebound in PPI - Indicators such as industrial profit growth and the proportion of profitable businesses, which may lag behind stock price movements [10][36]. Additional Important Insights - The report emphasizes the need for clearer guidelines and stronger support for domestic demand as the anti-involution initiative progresses [10]. - The potential risks facing China's equities include a hard landing in the property market and slow structural reform progress, which could shock the market if not adequately addressed [38]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the relevant industries in China.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income for the quarter increased by 38% due to strong foreign exchange rates and lower interest expenses [13] - Free cash flow from operations was slightly over $200 million, with a year-over-year increase of 3% when adjusted for severance payments and discontinued operations [33][34] - Consolidated EBITDA margin remained resilient, slightly above the historical ten-year second quarter average, despite a significant volume decline [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the EMEA region, strong volume recovery and operating leverage led to impressive results, extending four consecutive quarters of earnings recovery [12] - Consolidated prices for ready mix and aggregates increased by 12% sequentially, while cement prices remained relatively flat year-over-year [14] - In the U.S., ready mix volume adjusted for asset divestitures declined by a mid-single-digit rate, while aggregate prices increased by 5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Mexican market faced challenges due to difficult prior year comparisons and record precipitation levels, impacting volumes [19] - The EMEA region experienced strong demand conditions, with double-digit growth rates in the Middle East and Africa [28] - In the U.S., the residential sector showed weakness, but infrastructure projects and data centers are expected to drive demand in the second half of the year [101] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational excellence and sustainable shareholder returns, with a roadmap to streamline operations and empower regional teams [5][6] - A strategic shift towards prioritizing small to midsize M&A transactions in the U.S. is planned, aiming for immediate positive impacts on earnings [9] - The company aims to progressively grow its shareholder return program, including potential dividend increases and opportunistic share buybacks [48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for the second half of the year, expecting improvements in volumes in Mexico as the government accelerates infrastructure projects [21] - The company anticipates a tailwind of about $60 million in consolidated EBITDA if foreign exchange rates remain stable [38] - Management acknowledged the volatility and lack of visibility in key markets but remains confident in self-help measures taken to date [38] Other Important Information - The company expects EBITDA savings from Project Cutting Edge to reach $200 million this year, up from an initial expectation of $150 million [10] - Energy costs on a per ton of cement basis declined by 15% in the first half, driven by lower power and fuel prices [34] - The company has a comfortable debt maturity schedule with no immediate need to access capital markets [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Additional savings from Project Cutting Edge - Management indicated that the additional $50 million in savings mainly comes from overhead headcount reductions, with confidence in achieving the $200 million target [42][43] Question: Shareholder return platform - The company clarified that building a shareholder return platform involves capital allocation decisions focused on shareholder returns, including potential dividend increases and share buybacks [48][49] Question: Free cash flow generation levers - Management highlighted that free cash flow generation will be driven by various factors, including reduced CapEx, cutting edge savings, and operational excellence [51][56] Question: New corporate structure and free cash flow conversion - Management explained that the new corporate structure aims to decentralize operational excellence initiatives, which will support improved free cash flow conversion [59][62] Question: Pricing trends in Mexico and the U.S. - Management confirmed a price increase in Mexico effective July 1, expecting further improvements, while in the U.S., cement prices are not expected to increase significantly [72][74] Question: EMEA region performance outlook - Management expressed excitement about the EMEA region, anticipating strong growth driven by infrastructure investments and potential reconstruction efforts in Ukraine [78][80]