Loma Negra pania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima(LOMA) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted EBITDA of $40 million, reflecting a 3.2% decrease in pesos, translating to $36 per ton [9][20] - Net profit attributable to owners of the company totaled ARS 21.5 billion, down from ARS 79 billion in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to lower financial results [23] - The net debt increased sequentially to ARS 187 billion, with a debt to EBITDA ratio of 0.96x, slightly up from 0.89x at the end of 2024 [24][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Cement segment experienced a 10.9% revenue drop despite an 8.9% year-over-year increase in volumes, attributed to a softer pricing environment [14] - Concrete revenues declined by 1.4%, with a 22.8% increase in volumes offset by price pressures [14] - The Aggregates segment saw a 14.2% revenue decline despite a 29% increase in sales volumes, impacted by a weak market and pricing dynamics [15][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cement consumption showed improvement, with April figures indicating a 28% year-over-year increase and a 14% sequential increase [12][8] - The Argentine economy is projected to grow approximately 5% in 2025, following a 1.7% contraction in 2024 [11][7] - The construction sector is expected to benefit from this economic growth, potentially fueling a more robust recovery [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on driving efficiency and controlling costs to protect profitability while delivering quality products and services [29] - The management expressed optimism about the recovery in the construction sector and the overall economy, anticipating a more sustained recovery in the coming quarters [27][28] - The company is also looking to capitalize on investment projects that have been on hold due to previous economic uncertainties [28] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the industry is still in the early stages of recovery, with expectations for a stronger performance as the year progresses [12][28] - The stabilization of economic conditions and easing of capital controls are seen as critical steps for long-term benefits [28] - The management is optimistic about the potential for growth in cement volumes, expecting double-digit growth in 2025 [42] Other Important Information - The company invested ARS 11.1 billion in capital expenditures during the quarter, mainly for ongoing projects [24] - SG&A expenses decreased by 7.8%, primarily due to lower marketing and IT expenditures [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Competitive dynamics and market share - Management indicated that market share dynamics are in line with their strategy, and climate issues impacted different regions [32][34] Question: Pricing power and cement volume expectations - Management expects pricing to remain around $115 per ton and anticipates a year-over-year growth in cement volumes in the range of 15% to 20% [39][42] Question: Volume outlook and project backlogs - Management is optimistic about upcoming projects, particularly in the renewable energy and public works sectors, which are expected to drive demand [48]