Medellin-based utilities giant EPM announced November 2 that its third quarter (3Q) 2021 net income hit COP$2.8 trillion (US$730 million), up sharply from COP$1.3 trillion (US$337 million) in 3Q 2020.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) jumped 28% year-on-year, to COP$5.5 trillion (US$1.4 billion), while EBITDA margin came-in at a healthy 30%, according to the company.

Meanwhile, 3Q 2021 revenues amounted to COP$18.2 trillion (US$4.7 billion) as the Colombian economy continues to recover from last year's Covid-19 depression.

As a result, “EPM maintains healthy and solid finances,” according to the company, 100% owned by the city of Medellin.

“The group's investments in infrastructure as of September were COP$2.7 trillion [US$704 million] of which COP$1 trillion [US$261 million] corresponds to the Hidroituango hydroelectric project.

“Through September, EPM has paid the municipality of Medellín COP$1.3 trillion [US$339 million] of the total COP$1.4 trillion [US$365 million] scheduled to be transferred during 2021."

Macroeconomic reactivation, relatively heavy rains in Colombia supporting its hydroelectric power output, lower operating costs and the lower impact of Covid-19 all boosted financial results, according to the company.

Net foreign-currency-exchange expense in 3Q 2021 was just COP$24 billion (US$6.3 million), 97% lower than the same period in 2020, “caused by the restatement of the debt in dollars associated with the accumulated devaluation of the Colombian peso of 11.72 % and a closing rate of COP$3,834.68 per US$1,” according to EPM.

On the other hand, accounts-receivable balances rose to COP$158 billion (US$41 million) and non-payment of utility bills rose to COP$159 billion (US$41.4 million), both resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite those losses, Grupo EPM total assets rose 4% year-on-year, to COP$66.5 trillion (US$17.3 billion); liabilities rose 5%, to COP$38.5 trillion (US$10 billion), and shareholder equity rose 4%, to COP$28 trillion (US$7.3 billion), according to the company.

Financial debt for both EPM Group and its parent holding company was 41%. The Debt/EBITDA indicator for EPM Group closed at 3.74, better than the 4.41 ratio for 3Q 2020.

“Discounting the available cash reserve, the net debt/EBITDA indicator stood at 3.10 for the EPM Group and at 4.39 for the parent EPM,” the company added.