Companies 537
Medellin-based construction, electric power and cement giant Grupo Argos announced November 14 that its third quarter (3Q) 2017 consolidated net profit grew 38% year-on-year, to COP$452 billion (US$150 million).
Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for 3Q 2017 rose 28% year-on-year, to COP$1.2 trillion (US$398 million).
Revenues soared by 253% “thanks to the sale of the Compas [ocean ports] shares, to the lots appraisal in the real estate business and to the positive results of all businesses,” according to the company.
“Grupo Argos now has a solid cash position for the closing of the quarter of COP$267 billion [US$88 million], and a reduction in the leverage indicators of 2.2 times the EBITDA, well below the 3.8 times obtained in the same period last year. Both indicators give flexibility to the holding company to develop its strategy of capital allocation and active management on investments,” according to the company.
Grupo Argos is the multinational parent company of Cementos Argos, Celsia and Odinsa, all based in Medellin.
“The cement business showed a positive growth dynamic especially in the United States, which along with significant advances in operational efficiency in all geographies allowed us to show the best figures of the year, with an adjusted EBITDA of COP$428 billion [US$142 million], equivalent to 19.5%, if non-recurring expenses are excluded,” according to Grupo Argos.
“In the energy business, on October 26 [2017], Celsia announced an issuance of common shares and a public offer of acquisition of up to 14% of the Epsa shares. Both operations [Celsia and Epsa] are supported by Grupo Argos, as they will strengthen the energy business and offer greater transparency to the market regarding the capital structure of the holding.
“In terms of the [highway and airports] concessions business, we are confident with the stock market Odinsa strategy, a Grupo Argos road and airport concession company. As shown by the results, we issued bonds for COP$400 billion [US$132 million], with an oversupply of 2.3 times what was offered, making it the first issuer of the sector which in the last 10 years issued securities in the market with an AA- rating.
“Odinsa also achieved the first disbursement and final closure of its US$250 million loan for the construction of the Pacifico 2 highway, under the fourth generation [4G highway] concessions program,” the company added.
During the latest quarter, Odinsa’s revenues were COP$200 billion (US$66 million), up 9% year-on-year, thanks to “stability in the growth of vehicle and passenger traffic, with increases of 3% compared to the same period of 2016, with 73,000 vehicles per day on road concessions, while consolidated from January to September [Odinsa] registered 27 million passengers at airports.”
As for cement operations, “the results for Argos confirm the recovery shown as of June of this year. The EBITDA margin of 19% reached in the third quarter is the same achieved during 2016. This has been achieved thanks to a 17% growth in cement volumes compared to the same period last year, the recovery in the Colombia and competitive efficiencies through the ‘Best’ program,” according to Argos.
In energy, “Celsia obtained revenues of COP$785 billion w[US$ million] with an EBITDA of COP$294 billion [US$97.5 million], an increase of 20% compared to the same period of 2016, and reached an EBITDA margin of 37%,” according to Grupo Argos.
“During this period, the entry into operation of the Celsia Solar Yumbo project stands out, which represents the first of the projects announced by the company to develop a portfolio of non-conventional renewable energy generation in excess of 200 megawatts.”
In real estate, Grupo Argos reported the deeding of 19,000 square meters and COP$29 billion (US$9.6 million) of revenue from sales of lots. Accumulated income from January to September for the sale of lots amounted to COP$221 billion. The company’s participation in the “Pactia” real estate fund “has had a growth in the value of the unit with effective annual yields of 7.7%,” the company added.
Medellin-based gold mining giant Mineros SA reported November 14 that its consolidated third quarter (3Q) 2017 operating income rose 14% year-on-year, to COP$589 billion (US$195 million), while net income rose 7.46%, to COP$91 billion (US$30 million).
In its mainly alluvial mining operations in Colombia, Mineros SA’s net income rose a slight 0.7% year-on-year, to COP$93 billion (US$30.8 million), while operating income dipped 0.1%, to COP$290 billion (US$96 million).
Colombian mining operations saw a 0.1% dip in production, combined with a 3.5% decline in the price of gold as measured in Colombian pesos, the company noted.
Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 9% year-on-year in the latest quarter, to COP$193 billion (US$64 million).
In the “Hemco” division in Nicaragua, net income rose 174% year-on-year, to US$11 million, while operating income rose 38%, to US$101 million.
The Nicaragua division saw production rise 33% year-on-year, but EBITDA margin was better in Colombia, at 47%, versus 23% in Nicaragua.
Gran Colombia Gold Results
Meanwhile, Toronto-based Gran Colombia Gold on November 13 posted a US$1 million net loss for 3Q 2017, down from a net profit of US$8.1 million in 3Q 2016
Commenting on the report, Gran Colombia CEO Lombardo Paredes Arenas pointed out that the 42-days-long miners’ strike in Segovia, Antioquia, cut gold output 5% year-on-year.
Despite the strike, “we demonstrated our resiliency once operations returned to normal in early September, rebounding with two of our best production months this year,” Paredes said.
“We have since signed some new contracts with small mining cooperatives in Segovia and negotiations are continuing with the rest. We now believe our 2017 gold production will total between 165,000 to 170,000 ounces.”
However, year-to-date gold production of 122,122 ounces is up 12% over the first nine months of 2016, he added.
Revenue so-far this year is up 8% year-on-year thanks to higher gold production, worth US$144.4 million. However, output disruption during the strike, combined with a 4% decline in world gold prices, contributed to a 17% year-over-year decline in 3Q 2017 revenue to US$42.7 million.
“With Segovia’s operations back to normal and spot gold prices in October and the first half of November generally above $1,270 per ounce, Gran Colombia is expecting stronger revenue performance in the fourth quarter of 2017,” according to the company.
Gran Colombia’s 3Q 2017 total cash costs averaged US$748 per ounce, while its all-in sustaining costs (AISC) averaged $970 per ounce, “reflecting the adverse impact of the reduced level of production on fixed costs and capital spending on a per-ounce basis,” according to the company.
Red Eagle Results
Meanwhile, Vancouver, Canada-based Red Eagle Mining – developer of gold-mining operations in Antioquia, Colombia -- reported November 15 a US$5 million net loss for third quarter (3Q) 2017, down from a US$568,000 net loss in 3Q 2016.
Net losses so far this year total US$11.9 million, compared to a net loss of US$1.2 million for the first nine months of 2016, according to the company.
“The net loss increased compared to the 2016 period primarily due to increased expenses associated with the ramp-up of the San Ramon gold mine and mill during the 2017 period, which also resulted in the increased values of total assets and shareholders’ equity,” according to the company.
“Underground development at the San Ramon gold mine continues to advance according to plan with 1,756 meters completed in the third quarter, 438 meters in October and 4,493 meters completed year-to-date.
“Stope mining operations resumed in October with 4,373 tonnes at 6.09 grams per tonne gold mined and stockpiled. Prior to the anticipated mill start-up in January 2018, Red Eagle Mining expects to have stockpiled 21,000 tonnes of ore.
"Upon completion, the additional development, infill drilling and back fill system will allow consistent production resulting in an estimated 50,000 ounces of gold produced during 2018,” according to the company.
Medellin-based multinational cement and concrete manufacturer Cementos Argos reported November 10 that its third quarter (3Q) 2017 net income fell 42% year-on-year, to US$22 million, down from US$38 million in 3Q 2016.
However, operating income grew 3.9% year-on-year, to COP$2.19 trillion (US$728 million), according to the company.
Cement deliveries also grew 16.7% year-on-year, to 4.2 million tonnes, but concrete deliveries fell 6.1% year-on-year, to 2.7 million cubic meters.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) excluding non-recurring expenses rose 7.5%, to COP$428 billion (US$142 million), according to the company.
In its U.S. operations, cement deliveries rose 49.4% year-on-year, thanks largely to its recently acquired plant in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Gross income in its U.S. operations rose 14.9%, to US$404 million, while adjusted EBITDA soared 50% year-on-year, to US$73.5 million, according to the company.
Growing construction of U.S. homes, along with US$38 billion worth of infrastructure projects in Maryland, Virginia and Florida, plus the future impact of US$50 billion approved by the U.S. Congress for reconstruction of hurricane-hit areas in Florida and Texas, will help boost future income, according to the company.
In Colombia, cement deliveries rose 1.6% year-on-year, but concrete deliveries fell 8.3%. Gross income fell to COP$565 billion (US$188 million) and adjusted EBITDA declined to COP$113 billion (US$37 million), according to Argos. The declines came mainly due to falling prices for cement in Colombia, according to Argos.
Cement deliveries in Colombia for infrastructure projects reflect “steady growth” as Argos is involved in 70% of the “fourth generation” (4G) domestic highway projects, according to the company.
As for operations in Central America and the Caribbean región, cement deliveries rose 5.9% year-on-year, while concrete deliveries rose 1.7%, despite hurricanes that blasted Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Saint Thomas and Dominica. Gross income for the Caribbean region hit US$145 million while adjusted EBITDA came-in at US$44 million.
Housing and infrastructure projects in Honduras and new building projects around the Canal Zone in Panama are expected to boost future income, the company added.
Three Colombian industrial producers of Hass avocados – all based in the Medellin metro area -- this month celebrated the first-ever exports of their products to the U.S. market.
The companies – Cartama, Hasspacol and Westsole – are working with California-based Mission Produce to introduce Colombian Hass avocados to the U.S. market, following first-ever import approvals from the U.S. government last month (see: "Top Antioquia Producers Hail U.S. Decision Enabling Avocado Exports," Medellin Herald, August 16, 2017).
Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) worked with avocado producers to achieve crucial U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) safety certification for the products.
ICA “has been instrumental in developing the phytosanitary requirements for export to the U.S.,” said Cartama CEO Ricardo Uribe. “We worked closely with Emilio Arevalo, the technical director at ICA, and with APHIS, in assuring that the strict requirements of the export protocol were met and that all future farms adhere to this protocol,” Uribe added.
The first Colombian Hass avocados reaching the market were grown by Hasspacol and packed at Cartama’s packing facility in Pereira, according to Mission Produce.
Having now won crucial Colombian government licenses for cultivation and production of medical marijuana products with “unlimited” percentages of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), Toronto-based PharmaCielo now aims to launch production and commercial marketing in 2018.
In a November 7 interview with Medellin Herald, Federico Cock-Correa, the Medellin-based CEO of PharmaCielo Colombia Holdings, told us that the company now faces only one remaining regulatory hurdle: a production “quota” that he expects would be approved soon by Colombia’s Justice Ministry.
The Ministry must issue such quotas following limits mandated by the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) -- or, as known in Spanish, the Junta Internacional de Fiscalización de Estupefacientes (JIFE).
INCB works with national governments “to ensure that adequate supplies of drugs are available for medical and scientific uses and that the diversion of drugs from licit sources to illicit channels does not occur,” according to the agency.
INCB also “administers a system of estimates for narcotic drugs and a voluntary assessment system for psychotropic substances and monitors licit activities involving drugs through a statistical returns system, with a view to assisting governments in achieving a balance between supply and demand,” the agency adds.
According to Cock-Correa, following issuance of the “quota,” Colombia would be the first target market for PharmaCielo’s pioneering medical-marijuana products.
Potential distribution chains could involve feedstock sales to third-party pharmaceutical producers as well as direct sales through retail pharmacies and supermarkets.
But the company is also targeting international markets including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Peru and South Africa -- along with more than a score of other countries that are moving to legalize medical marijuana, he explained.
While some U.S. states have enacted marijuana legalization measures, the U.S. as a whole has yet to adopt a single, uniform regulatory-permission scheme. As a result, PharmaCielo might have to wait a few more years for future U.S. regulatory evolutions that would enable broad market penetration there, Cock-Correa explained to us.
Despite U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ recently expressed hostility toward marijuana legalization, ironically there’s a growing rationale for broader legalization of medical marijuana in the U.S. -- thanks in part to U.S. President Donald Trump recently declaring that the U.S. is in the midst of a horrific opioid-addiction epidemic.
Rationale for legalization: In recent years, several health researchers have published studies concluding that relatively non-addictive medical marijuana could at least partially substitute for highly addictive opioids in pain control -- hence potentially helping to stem opioid abuse.
Other claimed health benefits for medical-marijuana products include stress reduction, sleep inducement, appetite enhancement, nausea reduction (for patients using certain cancer drugs), headache relief and glaucoma relief. However, researchers also have cautioned that medical marijuana can have detrimental effects on attention-span, judgment and balance.
Asked what factors are key to achieving success in the emerging medical-marijuana market, Cock-Correa pointed out to us that scientific research, development and quality control throughout the entire process -- from cultivation to manufacturing of extracts – are critical.
For example: Artisanal and illegal marijuana-extract producers (whose products are found in the Colombian market today) don’t necessarily ensure that an end-product is free of harmful metals, chemicals or other contaminants. Nor can the efficacy of certain illegal products be guaranteed.
But besides ensuring relatively high quality products, legal producers also could benefit from being first-to-market with certain specialties, he added.
High-quality research-and-development, cooperation with quality, licensed producers of marijuana feedstocks, potential deals with third-party pharmaceutical manufacturers, marketing deals with big retail chains, and ability to produce a suite of high-quality products for various niche markets are all factors that could favor legal producers over illegal producers, he added.
Colombia’s more-than 50-years’ experience in ornamental flower production on a massive, industrial scale – plus its relatively favorable climate and competitive costs-of-production-- are additional factors favoring legalized medical-marijuana producers here, he said.
As for potential misuse of medical marijuana for recreational use, Cock-Correa pointed out that this same problem already occurs with alcohol or other products that have both medical and recreational -- and sometimes addictive -- applications.
So, while legalized medical-marijuana producers can do their best to warn against misuse -- and also employ control methods to prevent illegal diversion -- consumer education and government enforcement also must be part of the solution to minimize this problem, he concluded.
