Grupo Carso SAB de CV

BMV:GCARSOA1

Earnings Call Transcript 2018-Q1

[Operator]

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the conference call to discuss first quarter 2018 results of Grupo Carso.

Before we begin, I would like to remind you that this call is being recorded, and that the information discussed today may include forward-looking statements regarding the company's financial and operating performance. All projections are subject to risk and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially.

We are -- hosting this conference today, we have Mr. Arturo Spínola, CFO of Condumex and Carso Infraestructura y Construcción; and Ms. Angélica Piña of Investor Relations.

I would now like to turn the call over to Ms. Angélica Piña. Please go ahead.

[Angélica Piña Garnica, executive]

Thank you, Paul. Good morning, everyone. During the first quarter of the year, consolidated sales of Grupo Carso reached MXN 21.4 billion, 3.3% less than in the previous year. As a consequence of projects finished last year and that the new ones are not consolidated. The division of Infrastructure and Construction posted a decrease of 14.9% in revenues mainly explaining this. While commercial and industrial divisions maintained a good level.

Operating income and EBITDA reduced 12.1% and 13%, respectively. Lower margins were recorded in the industrial and retail divisions due to the exchange rate and the product mix. Controlling net income decreased 9%.

Total debt of MXN 10 billion and net debt of MXN 4.9 billion in the first quarter were very similar to the figures at the end of December 2017, including the issuance of MXN 3 billion of stock certificates placed on March 16 of this year.

By division, Grupo Sanborns posted a 1.8% increase in total sales, reaching MXN 11.3 billion. These results included greater technology share of Promotora Musical in the product mix compensating the impact of the Sears and Sanborns stores and the cities affected by the earthquake.

Gross margins decreased 60 basis points to 39.4% of sales due to the higher contribution of technology products mentioned. Operating income and EBITDA decreased 12.8% and 12.1% including higher preoperating expenses for the new stores opened in the period. The closing cost of fix unit and nonperforming loans in the credit portfolio.

On the industrial front, Grupo Condumex reported quarterly sales of MXN 7.2 billion, being very similar to last year and including better sales performance of telecom cables, harnesses and automotive cable. Operating income and EBITDA decreased 12.8% and 12.1%, respectively, showing lower margins in the automotive sector, which benefited from higher exchange rates in the first quarter of 2017.

On the Infrastructure and Construction division, CICSA posted MXN 3.3 billion in revenue, decreasing 14.9%. Lower revenues in all the divisions were behind these results, was reflected mainly the conclusion of important project in Infrastructure and Construction, the lack of tenders and the fact that new construction projects do not consolidate.

Operating income and EBITDA increased 13.3% and 10.6%. This improvement in profitability was derived from claims achieved in past projects whose cost was already recorded. Construction works for the Runway 3 and the terminal building of the New International Airport of Mexico are progressing, but since both projects are in construction, do not consolidate and are not reflected in the operational results despite their relevance.

The backlog of CICSA reached MXN 12.1 billion at the end of the first quarter and adds MXN 14 billion more when considering projects in which CICSA has a participation with other companies.

Lastly, the sales of Carso Energy totaled MXN 22 million, including revenues related to the production and commercialization of oil in Columbia. The quarterly operating income and EBITDA were losses of MXN 9 million and MXN 6 million improving from last year. These results consider the expenses related to the formalization requirements of the recently won areas, 12 and 13 for hydrocarbons as well as the start-up costs of the exploration program of the 2 geothermal fields where we are considering additional studies until the end of 2018.

The Waha-Presidio and Waha-San Elizario gas pipelines are already receiving rents from gas transportation, however, their revenues are not reflected in consolidated sales. The Samalayuca-Sásabe gas pipeline continues its construction to start operations this year.

With this, I finish my comments. We can start with the Q&A session. Thank you.

[Operator]

[Operator Instructions] There are no questions right now in the queue. [Operator Instructions] There are no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the call back to Ms. Piña for any closing remarks.

[Angélica Piña Garnica, executive]

Okay. Well thank you, everyone, and if you have additional questions, you can reach us by telephone or by e-mail. Have a good day.

[Operator]

The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.