Medellin-based textile giant Fabricato announced February 23 a full-year, corporate-wide 2021 net profit of COP$16.5 billion (US$4.2 million) -- a big improvement over the 2020 net loss of COP$82.4 billion (US$21 million).

“Textile revenues in 2021 increased by 52% compared to 2020,” according to the company, while textile gross margins jumped a full 10 percentage points, to 18%, from 8% in 2020.

Textile operating profits in 2021 rose by COP$51 billion (US$13 million) year-on-year, to COP$73 billion (US$18.5 million), the company added.

The textile operation by itself generated a net profit of COP$18.3 billion (US$4.6 million) in 2021, versus a net loss of COP$19.7 billion (US$5 million) in 2020.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose to COP$51.6 billion (US$13 million), from COP$9.8 billion (US$2.5 million) in 2020.

As for Fabricato’s real-estate segment, net income was essentially flat, at COP$8.9 billion (US$2.2 million), while 2021 operating income rose 23% versus 2020.

As for financial operations, Fabricato posted a net finance profit of COP$20.3 billion (US$5.1 million) in 2021 versus a net loss of COP$16.9 billion (US$4.3 million) in 2020.

Meanwhile, Fabricato reports a continuation of positive trends in January 2022, with textile sales up 64% year-on-year and textile margins up 8 percentage points, to 21%.

What’s more, “we exceeded the textile EBITDA expectation by COP$4.99 billion [US$1.27 million], as in January 2021 it was COP$2.3 billion [US$585,000] while in January 2022 it was COP$7.3 billion [US$1.8 million],” according to the company.

Medellin-based multinational electric-power transmission builder/operator, highways concessionaire and telecom services provider ISA announced February 23 that its full-year 2021 net income fell 19% year-on-year, to COP$2.06 trillion (US$524 million).

Despite that dip, operating income rose 13% year-on-year, to COP$7.97 trillion (US$20.3 billion), while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) likewise rose 8.4%, to COP$6.57 trillion (US$1.67 billion), according to the company.

Fourth quarter (4Q) profits meanwhile fell 9.9% year-on-year, to COP$450 billion (US$114.5 million), but 4Q 2021 EBITDA rose 18.6%, to COP$1.8 trillion (US$458 million), according to the company.

ISA mainly blamed the profits dip on “higher financial expenses and lower results of jointly-controlled companies,” according to the company.

While short-term 2021 profits dipped, ISA nevertheless achieved several major milestones during the past year, starting with the August 2021 completion of an historic deal whereby Colombia’s mostly state-owned Ecopetrol oil company bought 51% of ISA’s shares.

“As a result, 2022 shall be a year of enormous and interesting challenges for the consolidation of the largest energy group in Latin America,” according to ISA, already the largest energy transmission company in Latin America.

ISA's high-voltage power-transmission network covers Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile, as well as the international lines between Colombia-Ecuador and Ecuador-Peru.

Another notable 2021 event: During 4Q, “ISA successfully concluded its first bond issuance in the international capital markets for US$330 million. The issuance has a total term of 12 years, an interest rate of 3.825%, and was oversubscribed by 4.3 times the amount offered,” the company noted.

On yet another front, ISA’s Chile subsidiary last year joined with Transelec and China Southern Power Grid International (CSG) in a winning bid for the construction and operation of the Kimal-Lo Aguirre transmission project in Chile, “one of the most important high-voltage energy transmission projects on the continent, for an annual remuneration value of US$116.3 million in 2021 values,” according to the company.

Also during 2021, in Colombia ISA commissioned the “Ruta Costera”Cartagena-Barranquilla and Circunvalar de la Prosperidad" highway project, covering 146 kilometers between the departments of Bolívar and Atlántico.

Meanwhile in Brazil, ISA is investing US$26 million in “the first large-scale battery energy storage project in Brazil's transmission system to be installed at the Registro substation (São Paulo state) to supply the southern coast of São Paulo,” now due for completion by November 2022, the company added.

Medellin-based multinational cement, electric power and airport/highways concessionaire Grupo Argos announced February 23 that its full-year 2021 net income skyrocketed to COP$1.2 trillion (US$305 million), up nearly seven-fold year-on-year.

Revenues rose 17% year-on-year, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) hit COP$4.3 trillion (US$1.09 billion|), up from COP$3.35 trillion (US$852 million) in 2020.

As for fourth-quarter (4Q) 2021, profits jumped to COP$336 billion (US$85.5 million), from a COP$59 billion (US$15 million) net loss in 4Q 2020.

The Celsia electric-power division saw EBITDA rise to COP$1.4 trillion (US$356 million), “highest in history,” according to Argos.

The Odinsa highway-concessions business collected tolls from more than 43 million vehicles last year, up 42% year-on-year, while the airport concession business moved 25 million passengers – up 100% year-on-year, as the Covid-19 pandemic effects receded, the company noted.

Medellin-based multinational banking giant Bancolombia reported February 22 a that its full-year 2021 net income jumped 31% year-on-year, to COP$4.1 trillion (US$1.04 billion).

Fourth-quarter (4Q) 2021 net income soared to COP$1.44 trillion (US$365 million), up from a COP$266 billion (US$67 million) net loss in 4Q 2020.

Annualized return on equity (ROE) for full-year 2021 was 14%, while gross loans grew 15.1%, to COP$220 trillion (US$55.8 billion) – even up 9.6% once excluding currency-exchange effects.

In Colombia, the loan portfolio grew 11.7% year-on-year, “largely explained by the performance in the second half. Retail and mortgages gained share during the year within the consolidated loan book, representing 22% and 14% respectively,” according to Bancolombia.

Meanwhile, “30-day past-due loans were 4.05% [of the total book], a gradual reduction based on better asset quality, lower deterioration, and the growth in charge-offs during 2021. Charge-offs grew 86%, mainly explained by run-offs covered under relief” provisions, according to Bancolombia.

Loan provision charges for 4Q 2021 dropped 67.8% year-on-year, to COP$2.4 trillion (US$609 million), “primarily due to macroeconomic improvements, as well as a better performance of customers,” according to the company.

Shareholders' equity rose 21% year-on-year, to COP$32.2 trillion (US$8.1 billion), “largely explained by the generation of profits during the year,” according to the company.

As for electronic banking, “Bancolombia has made a significant progress in its digital strategy during 2021. The bank has 6.5 million active digital clients in the mobile retail app, as well as 15.9 million accounts in its financial inclusion platforms -- 5.9 million users in ‘Bancolombia a la Mano’ and 10 million in ‘Nequi,’” according to the company.

Colombia’s Rebound Key

Loans in Colombia grew 3.9% in 4Q 2021 versus 3Q 2021, and also rose 11.7% year-on-year, according to the company.

The improvements came “as an effect of the economic reactivation in the country,” thanks to Colombia’s record-setting 10.6% growth in gross domestic product (“PIB” in Spanish initials) for full-year 2021, Bancolombia noted.

“In balance, the commercial portfolio showed an increase of COP$9.1 trillion [US$2.3 billion], highlighting the good performance of peso-denominated loans and the foreign currency portfolio, which was impacted by the 16% depreciation of the Colombian peso [against the U.S. dollar] during the year.

“Mortgage loans accounted for over 31% of growth for the retail segment, an increase of COP$2.4 trillion [US$609 million], driven by a better dynamic in the real estate business that was reflected in the higher levels of originations during the year,” the company added..

Central America Operations

At the end of 4Q 2021, Banco Agricola operations in El Salvador, Banistmo in Panama and BAM in Guatemala represented 28% of total gross loans, according to Bancolombia.

“Gross loans denominated in currencies other than COP -- generated by operations in Central America, the international operation of Bancolombia Panamá, Puerto Rico and the US dollar-denominated loans in Colombia -- accounted for 35% of the portfolio, and grew 6.8% in the quarter (when expressed in COP),” according to the company.

“BAM in Guatemala reported a growth in its portfolio of 3.2% (calculated in U.S. dollars) largely attributed to the performance on the retail side.

“Banistmo [in Panama] reported an increase of 0.2% (calculated in U.S. dollars), with a positive performance in the commercial portfolio with originations growing during 4Q 2021.

“Lastly, Banco Agricola [El Salvador] reported a contraction of 0.9% during the quarter (calculated in U.S. dollars), basically because of prepayments on the commercial side greater than disbursements,” the company added.

Medellin-based multinational supermarket and dry-goods retailer Grupo Éxito announced February 21 that its full-year 2021 net profit soared by 105% year-on-year, to COP$474 billion (US$120 million).

Operating income for 2021 rose 7.5% year-on-year, to COP$16.9 trillion (US$4.3 billion), “marked by important macroeconomic and operational recoveries” not only in Colombia, but also in Argentina and Uruguay.

In Colombia, sales rose 5.5% year-on-year, to COP$12.3 trillion (US$3.1 billion), “driven by the performance of innovative store formats, omnichannel sales and the recovery of the real estate and financial businesses,” according to Éxito.

Consolidated recurring earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 20.7% year-on-year, to COP$1.5 trillion (US$381 million), with an EBITDA margin of 9.1%.

Electronic and direct-delivery channels in Colombia represented 11.9% of sales, totaling COP$1.5 trillion (US$381 million) in 2021, and 9.9% of sales corporate-wide.

“By 2022, the company will continue with the expansion plan for its innovative formats (Éxito Wow, Carulla FreshMarket, Super Inter Vecino, Surtimayorista and Surtimax) renewing between 50 and 60 stores in Colombia and six hypermarkets operated by ‘La 14,’” according to Éxito.

“Innovative formats increased their sales share to 33.3% in Colombia. By brand, ‘Éxito Wow’ stores accounted for 29.6% of sales, ‘Carulla FreshMarket’ 45.1%, ‘Super Inter Vecino’ 47.7% and ‘Surtimayorista,’ which accounted for 4.6% of the company’s sales.

“The operation in Uruguay registered a recurring EBITDA margin of 10.2% and continued as the most profitable operation of the Group. Omnichannel sales grew 9.8% in local currency and represented 3.6% of total sales in that country.

“In Argentina, the operation had significant growth in revenues (+46.8%) in local currency, marked by the recovery of consumption and the real estate businesses. EBITDA margin reached 3.4%, almost twice that registered in 2020,” the company added.

While 2021 delivered solid results corporate-wide, “in Colombia, the beginning of the year was complex, affected by warehouse closures and the national strike,” explained Grupo Éxito president Carlos Mario Giraldo.

“In Uruguay, we had the worst tourist season, and in Argentina we faced a difficult macroeconomic situation.

“However, the Group quickly adapted [thanks to] strengthening of our digital strategy, supported by our network of warehouses, consolidation of our innovative formats and the recovery of businesses in real estate and finance,” he added.

The department of Antioquia -- including Medellin and all its neighboring cities-- has just exceeded 10 million vaccinations against Covid-19, with 67% of the population here now completely vaccinated (in most cases, at least two doses).

This follows on the heels of a simultaneous announcement by Colombia President Ivan Duque that Covid-19 vaccinations nationwide already exceed 80% of the population, with a 70% complete-vaccination-rate fast approaching.

According to the February 18 joint announcement from Colombia’s Health Ministry, the Antioquia departmental government, Universidad Nacional, One Health Genomic Laboratory and Medellin-based electric-power distribution giant ISA (which cooperated in the efforts), Covid-19 vaccinations here have achieved better-than-world-class standards in just 12 months – often matching or even exceeding North American rates.

“With about 277 vaccination posts throughout the department, Antioquia has managed to apply up to 74,386 doses in a single day,” according to the joint announcement.

Antioquia Health Secretary Lina María Bustamante Sánchez added that “we have 83% coverage in first doses and 67% with a complete schedule,” resulting in a dramatic avoidance of Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths – the latter almost exclusively occurring among the non-vaccinated.

“Where we have had the best rate of vaccination is in the Valle de Aburrá [Medellin metro], Oriente and Suroeste,” Bustamante explained. “In the most remote regions, with problems of public order and displacement, such as Bajo Cauca and Urabá, strategies were created to reach these territories. For that, we have had the alliance with ISA and Universidad Nacional, including a mobile vaccination unit and displacements by helicopters for special vaccination campaigns,” she added.

Commenting on the one-year anniversary of the vaccination campaigns, President Duque added that the government has already spent COP$4.5 trillion (US$1.14 billion) acquiring 104 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, which are freely given to all residents here.

Since February 17, 2021, when the Covid-19 immunization process began, the national government has already supplied 75.7 million doses, resulting in 71% of all persons over 30 years of age now completely vaccinated.

Vaccinations also have reached the two-dose completion target for 51% of Colombians from 10-to-19-years-old, plus another 28% of children three-to-nine-years-old, according to a February 12 report from the Health Ministry. Childhood vaccinations are now rapidly increasing as Colombia returns to in-person schooling nearly everywhere.

Medellin-based multinational cement/concrete giant Cementos Argos announced February 17 that its full-year 2021 net profit jumped 451% year-on-year, to COP$431 billion (US$109.6 million).

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) jumped 34% year-on-year, to COP$2.1 trillion (US$534 million), while revenues rose 9.1% year-on-year, to COP$9.8 trillion (US$2.49 billion).

As for fourth-quarter (4Q) 2021, profits skyrocketed by 1,503%, to COP$112 billion (US$28.5 million), while EBITDA jumped 45%, to COP$542 billion (US$138 million ) and revenues rose 9.3%, to COP$2.5 trillion (US$636 million), according to the company.

“Consolidated full-year EBITDA margin of 20.2% is the highest since 2005, when the internationalization of Cementos Argos began,” according to the company.

“Pricing in the U.S. gained traction due to the second price increase of the year. Cement and ready-mix prices increased 2% and 5.3% year over year, respectively. Meanwhile, the CCA [Caribbean and Central America] and Colombia regions had stability in pricing during the quarter.

“Cost inflation continued on the fourth quarter and had an impact across the regions, particularly in fuels, electric energy and freights. The residential segment continues to support solid demand conditions and provides a positive outlook in the U.S. and Colombia,” the company added.

Colombia Results

“Demand conditions in Colombia maintained the solid dynamic evidenced since the third quarter of 2021,” according to Argos.

“Cement and ready-mix volumes [in 4Q 2021] increased 8.3% and 17% respectively versus the fourth quarter of 2020. In terms of pricing, both segments remained flat sequentially. In cement, prices rose 0.2% and in ready-mix prices increased 0.4% versus 3Q 2021.

“The residential segment continued to boost the commercial dynamics in the country. Social [subsidized] and non-social housing sales increased 30% and 24% respectively year-over-year and reached historic records. Additionally, housing starts achieved the highest level in seven years, which is a signal of the continuation of strong demand in the segment.

“Total EBITDA reached COP$142 billion [US$36 million] during 4Q 2021, 9.7% higher than 4Q 2020. The strong EBITDA result was a consequence of the strong volumes in both segments and was possible despite the continuation of cost inflation pressures,” the company added.

Colombia-based cement/concrete giant Cemex LatAm Holdings (CLH) announced today (February 10) a full-year 2021 net loss of US$23 million -- a big improvement over the US$121 million net loss for full-year 2020.

Fourth quarter (4Q) 2021 net loss came-in at US$17 million, down from a net profit of US$8 million in 4Q 2020, according to the company.

“Consolidated net sales during 4Q 2021 increased 8% in comparable terms adjusted for fluctuations in exchange rates, compared to 4Q 2020,” according to CLH.

“Higher volumes in Panama and in the rest-of-CLH-region, as well as higher prices were the main growth drivers,” the company added.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) during 4Q 2021 fell 10% versus 4Q 2020. “The decrease was mainly due to lower EBITDA in Colombia, partially offset by higher contributions from Panama and the rest-of-CLH region,” the company added.

For all of 2021, net debt decreased by US$67 million, down 10% year-on-year.

In Colombia, cement volumes dipped 4% during 4Q 2021 but rose 8% year-on-year. Colombia cement prices “remained stable during 2021 compared to with those of the previous year, despite a challenging competitive environment with pricing pressures,” according to CLH.

Inside Colombia, “we recently implemented a price increase of around 4.5% for bagged cement at beginning in December 2021. In 2022, we expect to continue closing the gap between our cement prices and the strong input cost inflation experienced by the industry during previous quarters.We expect our volumes to grow in the low-to-mid-single-digits in cement and in the low-double-digits in concrete.

“In the ready-mix [concrete] business, our volume growth should be supported by higher demand of the market and our recent investments to increase our assets in this business, mainly in the metropolitan areas of Bogotá and Cali,” CLH added.

In Panama, “our domestic cement volumes increased during the quarter and the full year by 8% and 41%, respectively,” according to CLH.

“During 2021, our [Panama] cement plant became a relevant exporter and a key component of our regional commercial network. During the year we exported more than 200,000 tons of cement and clinker to nearby markets lacking supplies.

“In 2022, we expect our volumes to grow by mid-single digits in cement and by at least 30% in concrete. Volume growth should be supported by the recent start of construction of the ‘Line 3 project’ for the Panama Metro.”

In Guatemala, cement volumes “remained strong during 2021 driven by higher activity in the self-construction sector and a recovery in the formal sector. Our cement prices in local currency terms increased 4% and 3% during the quarter and the full year, respectively, compared to the same period of the year last,” according to CLH.

In Nicaragua, “cement volumes remained strong during the year mainly driven by the cement sector in self-construction and government-sponsored projects. Cement consumption was supported by the increase in remittances” from Nicaraguans living and working in North America, the company added.

The just-released, annual “Medellin Como Vamos” (MCV) citizen survey reveals that Medellin Mayor Daniel Quintero has delivered the worst performance of any Medellin Mayor in the entire 16 years of MCV annual citizen surveys.

The result undercuts progress made in the last two decades here, during which Medellin citizens historically have indicated relatively positive, consistent improvements -- aside from ever-worsening traffic-jams -- in over-all quality-of-life and in relatively good performance of local Mayors.

Having overcome the horrific years of Pablo Escobar narco-violence in the 1980s and 1990s, Medellin has more recently become widely regarded as either the best or (at least) among the top-three-best-governed cities in Colombia, for quality-of-life, for work opportunities and for relatively outstanding public transit systems -- thanks to enormous investments by both public and private sectors over the past two decades.

The full MCV 2021 survey (in Spanish) is available here: https://www.medellincomovamos.org/calidad-de-vida/encuesta-de-percepcion-ciudadana .

While Medellin Mayors over the past 16 years have typically enjoyed favorability rankings in the 80-percent-to-90-percent range, Mayor Quintero has seen his favorability plunge to an all-time-worst 54% in the MCV 2021 survey, conducted among all social classes in all Medellin neighborhoods. The survey has a margin-of-error of just 4.1%, according to MCV.

Confidence in Mayor Quintero likewise has plummeted to an all-time-low of 34%, while only 33% of citizens have much or any faith in his management of city affairs – by far the worst mayor in all prior MCV surveys.

Relative satisfaction with Mayor Quintero’s use of public funds likewise has collapsed to an all-time-low of 36%, the survey shows. What’s more, 54% of citizens perceive that corruption in city government has gotten twice as bad in the past year -- far worse than in prior years.

Even more discouraging, only 45% of Medellin citizens now feel the city is headed in a positive direction -- down from positivity ranges of 65% to 85% in all prior MCV surveys.

Colombia’s Controller-General announced today (January 28) that because of recent insurance payments to EPM by Mapfre, Axxa, Suramericana and SBS – collectively totaling US$1.1 billion -- all companies, politicians and officials who previously faced allegations of errors or omissions that supposedly contributed to a 2018 diversion-tunnel collapse at the US$5 billion Hidroituango hydroelectric project are now absolved of fiscal responsibility.

“The Controller's Office declares the property damage of COP$4.3 trillion [US$1.1 billion] in the Hidroituango case fully repaired,” according to the Controller’s official announcement.

“By virtue of this decision, the precautionary measures that weighed on those declared fiscally responsible are lifted” -- hence liberating 26 companies and individuals that previously were facing fiscal responsibility charges, according to the Controller.

Because of the Hidroituango insurance payments, the Controller “determined and declared that the damage has been fully repaired,” according to the official announcement.

In the wake of the Controller’s decision, Wall Street bond rater Fitch Ratings subsequently announced that it now sees financial liquidity improving not only for EPM (part-owner of Hidroituango) but also for the construction and consulting contractors at the Hidroituango project.

While Fitch now has a more positive view of EPM’s financial liquidity, the bond rater nevertheless has continued its “negative watch” alert because of “continued uncertainty regarding the permanent closure of Hidroituango's blocked water deviation tunnel since April 28, 2018, and final cost overruns of its Hidroituango project, which Fitch estimates to be US$1.73 billion or US$721,000 per megawatt (MW) as of December 2021. 

Hidroituango Progress Update

Immediately following the Controller’s announcement, EPM revealed that it is making significant progress on permanent closure of that collapsed diversion tunnel.

“In 2019, as a result of the tunnel-collapse contingency, the two floodgates installed for this diversion tunnel -- weighing 300 tons each -- were closed to prevent further passage of water,” according to EPM’s announcement.

“In recent days it became possible to enter the [collapsed] Auxiliary Deviation Gallery (GAD), very positive for the recovery of the project and for the tranquility of the downstream communities.

“With the pumping-out of the water that was in this tunnel area, it was possible to allow entry of sufficient personnel and machinery to carry out the proper cleaning and extraction of debris and mud. After the adaptation and cleaning of the GAD, the construction of the two definitive plugs -- 22 meters long -- will need to be installed there,” according to EPM.

In total, the Hidroituango project at year-end 2021 was 86.9% complete, with entry-into-operation of the first two generating units -- totalling 600-MW -- seen in the second half of 2022, according to EPM.

“The powerhouse shows considerable progress in its recovery, civil works and assembly of equipment,” according to EPM, while the water reservoir upstream of the dam and the engineered spillway “are closely monitored with permanent with special equipment and expert personnel,” the company added.