Cemex aggregate sales up slightly in second quarter 2017

U.S. aggregate sales volumes were up 2 percent on a year-over-year basis in the second quarter at Cemex, the company revealed upon releasing its latest quarterly performance report.

Cemex aggregate sales volumes were down 2 percent for the first half of the year across the U.S. compared with the first half of 2016, the company adds.

Globally, Cemex reports that its second-quarter aggregate sales were up slightly (1 percent) on a year-over-year basis.

Cemex’s U.S. aggregate prices were up 3 percent in the second quarter on a year-over-year basis. Its U.S. aggregate prices were up 4 percent for the first half of the year, the company says.

Cemex’s overall operations in the U.S. reported net sales of $916 million in the second quarter, an increase of 4 percent from the same period in 2016. Operating EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) reached $170 million in the quarter, an increase of 19 percent versus a gain of $156 million in the same quarter of 2016.

“Our second quarter operating and financial performance was essentially in line with our expectations as of the first quarter: good results in Mexico, the U.S. and Europe; increasing challenges in Colombia and Egypt, and to a much lesser extent the Philippines,” says Fernando A. Gonzalez, CEO of Cemex. “In addition, we continue to further strengthen our balance sheet where the financial markets have allowed us to execute on our targets a bit faster than we anticipated earlier in the year.”