The company says the increase in consolidated net sales was due to higher prices of its products in local currency terms and higher volumes in most of our regions while operating earnings before other expenses, net, in the third-quarter increased by 14%, to US$467 million.
It reported a narrower controlling interest net loss of $155 million during the third-quarter of 2013 from a loss of $203 million in the same period last year and free cash flow after maintenance capital expenditures for the quarter was $245 million, compared with $204 million in the same quarter of 2012.
Fernando A. González, Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, said: “We are pleased to report continued growth in operating EBITDA on a year-over-year basis supported by the increase in our volumes in most of our regions and an increase in our consolidated prices in local-currency terms for our three main products on a year-over-year basis. We continue to be focused on our companywide efforts to improve our operating efficiencies and the value we generate from our asset base while delivering better value to our customers.
“In Mexico, we are encouraged by the prospects going forward given the investment plans and other initiatives recently announced by the federal government to support the infrastructure and housing sectors, as well as the economy in general.”
Net sales in Cemex’s operations in Mexico decreased 11% in the third-quarter of 2013 to $776 million, compared with $875 million in the third-quarter of 2012. Operating EBITDA decreased by 21% to $248 million versus the same period of last year.
Cemex’s operations in the United States reported net sales of U.S.$891 million in the third-quarter of 2013, up 8% from the same period in 2012. Operating EBITDA increased to U.S.$78 million in the quarter, versus a gain of $27 million in the same quarter of 2012.
In Northern Europe, net sales for the third-quarter of 2013 increased 6% to $1,169 million, compared with $1,105 million in the third-quarter of 2012. Operating EBITDA was $162 million for the quarter, 14% higher than the same period last year.
Third-quarter net sales in the Mediterranean region were $375 million, 9% higher compared with $342 million during the third-quarter of 2012. Operating EBITDA decreased 21% to $78 million for the quarter versus the comparable period in 2012.
Cemex’s operations in South, Central America and the Caribbean reported net sales of $596 million during the third-quarter of 2013, representing an increase of 15% over the same period of 2012. Operating EBITDA increased 19% to $210 million in the third-quarter of 2013, from $177 million in the third-quarter of 2012.
Operations in Asia reported a 5% increase in net sales for the third-quarter of 2013, to $139 million, versus the third-quarter of 2012, and operating EBITDA for the quarter was $36 million, up 27% from the same period last year.
