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In terms of our performance in the fourth quarter, we take great pride in the results achieved amidst such a challenging environment, consistently staying true to the principles that define how we do things. Looking at the key highlights of the quarter, the significant expansion of the EBITDA margin by over 600 basis points stands out, even in the face of declining volumes. We embraced this difficult year as an opportunity to enhance our efficiency, honing in on one of the fundamental principles that drive our actions-constantly challenging ourselves to improve.

We view 2024 as a transition year, with the most challenging times now behind us. While the recovery remains gradual, it is following a positive trajectory that is expected to strengthen alongside overall economic performance.

Additionally, we recently published a new Sustainability Report, which reflects our performance across the economic, social, environmental, and governance areas, reaffirming our responsibility to inform our stakeholders about our actions and their impacts. I invite you to explore the pages of our 2024 Report to learn more about our actions and commitments to all our stakeholders."

Table 1: Financial Highlights
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

(*) Net of shares repurchased

Table 1b: Financial Highlights in Ps and in U.S. dollars (figures exclude the impact of IAS 29)

Overview of Operations

Sales Volumes

Table 2: Sales Volumes²

² Sales volumes include inter-segment sales

Sales volumes of Cement, masonry, and lime in 4Q24 decreased by 14.1% year-over-year (YoY) to 1.3 million tons, continuing the trend of gradually narrowing the YoY gap. Bagged cement continues to demonstrate stronger resilience, with a 9% year-over-year decline-falling less than the industry average-while bulk cement dispatches remain the most affected mode. As larger private construction projects and public works serve as its primary market, bulk cement ended the year with low activity levels but is expected to regain momentum in 2025.

Regarding of the volume of the Concrete segment, there was a decrease of 14.4% year-over-year. Segment sales in the quarter declined at a slower pace than bulk cement sales for the ready-mix concrete sector, primarily driven by increased activity in infrastructure projects and renewable energy developments in the province of Buenos Aires, which supported the operations of our concrete segment. Similarly, the aggregates segment declined by only 3.1%, supported by sustained activity in road construction projects.

The railway segment expanded by 3.1% compared to the same quarter of 2024. The increase in transported volumes of grains and fracsand more than offset the decline in construction materials and chemicals.

For fiscal year 2024, our main segment-cement, masonry, and lime-registered a year-over-year decline of 23.7%. The transition in the national administration and the impact of the stabilization plan affected cement demand, especially in the first half of the year. However, as the economy began to recover and stabilize, activity levels improved in the second half, signaling a positive trend. Bagged cement dispatches proved more resilient in this environment, while bulk dispatches were more significantly impacted by the slowdown in activity levels.

The concrete segment closed the year with a 31.8% decline, while the aggregates segment fell by 24.8% year-over-year. In line with bulk cement dispatches, concrete demand was more heavily affected by the economic slowdown and the halt in public works, as well as major private projects.

The railway segment's volume declined by 13.4% in 2024, though the significant increase in transported volumes of grains and frac sand helped offset the drop in construction materials and chemicals.

Review of Financial Results

Table 3: Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

Net Revenues

Net revenue decreased 19.5% to Ps. 174,173 million in 4Q24, from Ps. 216,452 million in the comparable quarter last year, mainly due to a lower top line performance of the Cement business, followed by the rest of the segments.

The cement, masonry cement, and lime segment declined by 19.9% year-over-year, with volumes contracting by 14.1%, gradually narrowing the YoY gap on a sequential basis. Bagged cement dispatches demonstrated greater resilience, while bulk cement was more impacted by the economic environment and the low level of activity in public works. This effect was further compounded by a softer pricing dynamic, adjusting to the new scenario of low single-digit monthly inflation.

Concrete revenue declined by 26.9% compared to 4Q23, mainly due to softer pricing dynamics in a highly competitive environment affected by low activity levels. However, despite a 14.4% drop in volumes, the decrease was less pronounced than that of bulk cement sales for the ready-mix concrete sector. This was primarily driven by increased activity in infrastructure projects and renewable energy developments in the province of Buenos Aires, which helped support the segment's volume.

Similarly, the aggregates segment recorded a 34.2% decline in revenue, with sales volumes dropping by 3.1%, supported by increased activity in road construction projects in the province of Buenos Aires. However, the persistently low level of activity continues to weigh on pricing dynamics. This effect was further amplified by the sales mix, with a higher proportion of fine aggregates, which have a lower average price.

Railroad revenues experienced a more moderate decline of 3.2% in 4Q24 compared to the same quarter of 2023, as higher transported volumes, up 3.1% in the quarter, partially offset softer pricing dynamics. The increase in grain transport helped counterbalance the decline in construction materials but negatively impacted the average price, as grains have a lower revenue per kilometer transported.

For fiscal year 2024, net revenue declined by 23.9% to Ps. 699,179 million from Ps. 919,313 million in 2023, primarily driven by weaker topline performance in our core business, Cement, followed by Concrete and other segments. This decline occurred within the broader context of an economic contraction that impacted construction activity.

Cost of sales, and Gross profit

Cost of sales decreased by 26.5% YoY, totaling Ps. 117,440 million in 4Q24, primarily due to lower sales volumes, a reduced impact of depreciations, and strict cost management. In the Cement segment, the fourth quarter marks the end of the winter season, which is typically associated with higher energy costs. Regarding energy inputs, this quarter, the company began leveraging new thermal energy contracts that benefited from a YoY reduction in tariffs, including some short-term agreements linked to oil production. On the electrical energy side, despite being impacted by a shift toward more expensive generation sources-less hydro and nuclear, and more thermal-the company successfully secured short-term contracts with renewable energy producers seeking to allocate surplus generation. Additionally, freight expenses and salaries saw significant reductions compared to 4Q23, further contributing to overall cost efficiencies.

Gross Profit remained stable, edging up 0.1% YoY to Ps. 56,733 million in 4Q24 from Ps. 56,659 million in 4Q23. Regardless of the minimal variation in absolute terms, the gross profit margin expanded by 640 basis points YoY, reaching 32.6%, despite the decline in volumes.

During fiscal year 2024, Gross Profit decreased 18.9% to Ps. 186,981 million with a gross profit margin expansion of 166 basis points to 26.7%.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses (SG&A) decreased 3.9% to Ps. 20,847 million in 4Q24, from Ps. 21,688 million in 4Q23. This was mainly due to a decrease in turnover tax and freight costs, related to lower volume, and lower insurance costs and services. As a percentage of sales, SG&A reached 12.0%, up 195 basis points year-over-year, mainly due to the lower top line.

During fiscal year 2024, SG&A decreased by 13.1% compared with the previous year, and as a percentage of sales stood at 10.5%, increasing 131 bps.

Adjusted EBITDA & Margin

Table 4: Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation & Margin
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

Adjusted EBITDA grew by 2.4% YoY in 4Q24, reaching Ps. 50,589 million, up from Ps. 49,385 million in the same period of the previous year. This increase was primarily driven by a stronger performance in our Cement business, partially offset by weaker results in the Concrete and Aggregates segments. Meanwhile, although the Railroad business remained in negative territory, it showed an improvement compared to the prior year.

Similarly, the Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 623 basis points, reaching 29.0% in 4Q24, up from 22.8% in 4Q23. This improvement was achieved despite the decline in volumes, driven by strict cost management.

In particular, the Adjusted EBITDA margin of the Cement, Masonry, and Lime segment expanded by 815 basis points to 33.7%, driven by strict cost controls and lower energy input costs, partially offset by the impact of a reduced top line.

Meanwhile, the Concrete segment saw its Adjusted EBITDA margin contract by 760 basis points, turning negative at -6.1% compared to 1.5% in 4Q23, as cost control measures were not sufficient to offset the decline in revenue.

The Adjusted EBITDA margin of the Aggregates segment contracted to -8.9%, down from 14.2% in 4Q23. While volumes helped narrow the YoY gap, a challenging competitive environment and an unfavorable product mix weighed on the segment's profitability.

Meanwhile, the Adjusted EBITDA margin of the Railroad segment improved by 372 basis points, reaching -0.4% in the fourth quarter, compared to -4.2% in 4Q23. Transported volumes saw a moderate uptick, primarily driven by increased grain transport. However, the higher share of grains in the total transported volume negatively impacted the average price. Effective cost control management helped mitigate this effect and contributed to the segment's improved performance.

During FY24, Adjusted EBITDA declined by 17.2%, reaching Ps. 180,987 million, compared to Ps. 218,528 million in FY23. Despite a challenging year, the company achieved an Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion of 211 basis points, improving from 23.8% in 2023 to 25.9% in 2024.

Finance Costs-Net

Table 5: Finance Gain (Cost), net
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

During 4Q24, the Company reported a total Net Financial Gain of Ps. 857 million, compared to a net financial cost of Ps. 81,281 million in 4Q23. This improvement was primarily driven by a lower impact of exchange rate differences, as the fourth quarter of 2023 was significantly affected by the peso devaluation implemented by the new administration in December 2023.

Additionally, lower net financial expenses, mainly due to declining interest rates and a reduced debt position, further strengthened the financial recovery. However, these positive effects were partially offset by a lower gain on net monetary position, resulting from a smaller passive monetary position during the quarter and a weaker impact of inflation adjustments.

During FY 2024, the Company recorded a total net financial gain of Ps. 138.6 billion, compared to a net financial cost of Ps. 100.3 billion in 2023. This improvement was primarily driven by a lower impact of exchange rate differences and reduced net financial expenses.

Net Profit and Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company

Net Profit of Ps. 22.1 billion in 4Q24 compared to a net loss of Ps. 44.0 billion in the same period of the previous year. The stronger operational performance, despite the decline in volumes, was further supported by an improved financial result. On the financial side, while the reduction in net financial expenses contributed positively, the main driver of the improvement was the impact of the devaluation in 4Q23. However, this gain was partially offset by higher income tax expenses.

Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company stood at Ps. 22.4 billion. During the quarter, the Company reported a gain per common share of Ps. 38.4192 and an ADR gain of Ps. 192.0958, compared to a loss per common share of Ps. 73.8335 and a gain per ADR of Ps. 369.1676 in 4Q23.

During fiscal year 2024, Net Income Attributable to Owners of the Company rose significantly to Ps. 153,810 million, up from Ps. 22,441 million in fiscal year 2023. This increase was primarily driven by a lower total net financial cost and a reduced impact of exchange rate differences, which offset the decline in operational performance.

Capitalization

Table 6: Capitalization and Debt Ratio
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

As of December 31, 2024, total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments were Ps. 8,553 million compared with Ps. 14,665 million as of December 31, 2023. Total debt at the close of the quarter stood at Ps. 162,348 million, composed by Ps. 100,680 million in short-term borrowings, including the current portion of long-term borrowings (or 59% of total borrowings), and Ps. 70,221 million in long-term borrowings (or 41% of total borrowings). At the close of the fourth quarter of 2024, 91% (or Ps. 156,366 million) of Loma Negra's total debt was denominated in U.S. dollars, and 9% (or Ps. 14,536 million) was in Pesos.

As of December 31, 2024, 9% of the Company's consolidated loans accrued interest at a variable rate, primarily based on the short-term market rate in pesos, as it is debt in local currency. The remaining 91% accrues interest at a fixed rate.

By the end of the quarter, the average duration of Loma Negra's total debt was 0.9 years.

The Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio stood at 0.89x as of December 31, 2024, down from 1.40x as of December 31, 2023. During the quarter, the company further reduced its debt, with net debt decreasing by US$20 million sequentially. The company's debt maturity profile remains well-balanced, with no bond maturities until the fourth quarter of 2025.

Cash Flows

Table 7: Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

In 4Q24, cash generated from operating activities totaled Ps. 47,776 million, compared to Ps. 57,040 million in the same period of the previous year. This decrease was mainly driven by a less favorable impact from working capital, primarily due to a lower positive effect of accounts payable and a negative impact from other liabilities. These effects were partially offset by a stronger positive contribution from other receivables.

During the quarter, the Company used Ps. 31,193 million in financing activities, mainly for net debt repayments and interest payments. Additionally, Ps. 21,429 million was allocated to investing activities, primarily for maintenance CAPEX and the 25-kilogram bagging project.

During fiscal year 2024, the Company made capital investments for a total of Ps. 72,004 million. The cash flow generated by operating activities was Ps. 124,718 million compared to Ps. 185,165 million in FY 2023, and net cash used in financial activities for Ps. 48,266 million compared to Ps. 89,469 million the previous year

4Q24 Earnings Conference Call

When: 10:00 a.m. U.S. ET (12:00 p.m. BAT), March 7, 2025
Dial-in: 0800-444-2930 (Argentina), 1-833-255-2824 (U.S.), 1-866-605-3852 (Canada), 1-412-902-6701 (International)
Password: Loma Negra Call
Webcast: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=P8PXv0tn
Replay: A telephone replay of the conference call will be available until March 14, 2025. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (U.S. toll free), or 1-412-317-0088 (International). The passcode for the replay is 6347161. The audio of the conference call will also be archived on the Company's website at www.lomanegra.com

Definitions

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net profit plus financial interest, net plus income tax expense plus depreciation and amortization plus exchange rate differences plus other financial expenses, net plus tax on debits and credits to bank accounts, plus share of loss of associates, plus net Impairment of Property, plant and equipment, and less income from discontinued operation. Loma Negra believes that excluding tax on debits and credits to bank accounts from its calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is a better measure of operating performance when compared to other international players.

Net Debt is calculated as borrowings less cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

About Loma Negra

Founded in 1926, Loma Negra is the leading cement company in Argentina, producing and distributing cement, masonry cement, aggregates, concrete and lime, products primarily used in private and public construction. Loma Negra is a vertically-integrated cement and concrete company, with nationwide operations, supported by vast limestone reserves, strategically located plants, top-of-mind brands and established distribution channels. Loma Negra is listed both on BYMA and on NYSE in the U.S., where it trades under the symbol "LOMA". One ADS represents five (5) common shares. For more information, visit www.lomanegra.com.

Note

The Company presented some figures converted from Pesos to U.S. dollars for comparison purposes. The exchange rate used to convert Pesos to U.S. dollars was the reference exchange rate (Communication "A" 3500) reported by the Central Bank for U.S. dollars. The information presented in U.S. dollars is for the convenience of the reader only. Certain figures included in this report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be arithmetic aggregations of the figures presented in previous quarters. Rounding: We have made rounding adjustments to reach some of the figures included in this annual report. As a result, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them.

Disclaimer

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and projections about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "expect," "predict," "potential," "seek," "forecast," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are based on the information currently available to us. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, among others things: changes in general economic, political, governmental and business conditions globally and in Argentina, changes in inflation rates, fluctuations in the exchange rate of the peso, the level of construction generally, changes in cement demand and prices, changes in raw material and energy prices, changes in business strategy and various other factors. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe in good faith that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Any or all of Loma Negra's forward-looking statements in this release may turn out to be wrong. You should consider these forward-looking statements in light of other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2017 in connection with Loma Negra's initial public offering. Therefore, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

--- Financial Tables Follow ---

Table 8: Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

Table 9: Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

Table 10: Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

Table 11: Financial Data by Segment (figures exclude the impact of IAS 29)
(amounts expressed in millions of pesos, unless otherwise noted)

SOURCE: Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire