Cemex looks for more growth

Cemex forecasts 1H04 Ebitda will grow 15 per cent to US$1.2bn and revenue will increase six per cent to US$3.7bn compared to the same period last year, the company announced.  In 2Q04, Ebitda will jump 11 per cent year-on-year to more than US$610m, while operating income will go higher than US$450m compared to US$390m in 2Q03, according to the guidance.

Cement volumes will remain relatively flat, with domestic gray cement shipments expected to fall roughly one per cent during the second quarter, though volumes will be three per cent higher in 1H04 compared to same-period 2003. Cemex expects this year’s domestic volume to grow four per cent.  "We will continue to strengthen our capital structure during the second half of 2004... until attractive investment opportunities arise," CFO Rodrigo Treviño said.