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LOMA NEGRA 1Q26 Loma Negra, (NYSE:LOMA)(BYMA:LOMA), ("Loma Negra" or the "Company"), the leading cement producer in Argentina, today announced results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2026 (our "1Q26 Results"). 1Q26 Key Highlights
The Company has presented certain financial figures, Table 1b and Table 11, in U.S. dollars and Pesos without giving effect to IAS 29. The Company has prepared all other financial information herein by applying IAS 29. Commenting on the financial and operating performance for the first quarter of 2026, Sergio Faifman, Loma Negra's Chief Executive Officer, noted: "We began the year with renewed expectations. Although industry volumes were relatively subdued at the start of the year, reflecting a slower exit from the summer season, March showed a more encouraging level of activity, reinforcing our outlook for the remainder of the year. In terms of quarterly performance, we delivered improvements in margins and EBITDA generation per ton, both sequentially and year-over-year. As previously indicated, the actions we have been implementing are beginning to be reflected in our results, positioning us well as we await a more sustained recovery in demand. This is a particularly important year for us as we celebrate LOMA's centennial, reaffirming our leadership position and remaining enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead."
Overview of Operations Sales Volumes
Sales volumes of cement, masonry, and lime in 1Q26 increased by 1.8% year-over-year (YoY) to 1.17 million tons. Following a soft start to the year, March volumes reversed the trend, bringing the year-over-year comparison into positive territory. When analyzing dispatch modes, results remained mixed. Bulk cement dispatches continued their positive trend, supported by higher activity levels among concrete producers, industrial customers, and construction companies. Bagged cement dispatches, while still declining, narrowed the year-over-year gap following a positive performance in March. Concrete segment volumes increased by 14.1% year-over-year, primarily driven by private developments related to logistics facilities and large-scale residential projects in Buenos Aires, while public infrastructure projects boosted concrete dispatches in Rosario. The Aggregates segment posted an 18.3% year-over-year contraction, mainly affected by reduced activity in the concrete sector and by lower demand from construction companies. Railroad segment volumes grew by 14.8% compared to the same quarter in 2025, mainly driven by higher transportation of granitic aggregates, cement and chemicals. Review of Financial Results
Net Revenues Net revenue increased by 1.1% to Ps. 218,739 million in 1Q26, from Ps. 216,350 million in the comparable quarter last year, mainly driven by stronger top-line performance in the Cement business, followed by the Railroad segment, partially offset by lower revenues in the Concrete and Aggregates segments. The Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime segment remained broadly stable, with a 0.8% YoY increase in revenues. Volumes grew by 1.8% YoY, supported by bulk cement dispatches, while bagged cement continued to show weaker performance, although the YoY gap narrowed as March exhibited a more consistent trend. Pricing remained relatively flat, declining by 0.9% YoY. Concrete revenue decreased by 1.9% in the quarter compared to 1Q25, as a 14.1% increase in volumes did not fully offset softer pricing dynamics. Volume growth was primarily supported by private developments related to logistics infrastructure and large-scale residential projects, while sustained public works activity in the Province of Santa Fe supported dispatches in Rosario. Revenues in the Aggregates segment remained nearly flat, decreasing by just 0.2% year-over-year. Sales volumes declined by 18.3%, driven by lower demand from concrete producers and construction companies. However, this negative volume effect was offset by improved pricing dynamics, coupled with a favorable sales mix, as lower demand from road construction projects reduced the share of fine aggregates, which carry a lower average price. Railroad revenues increased by 2.2% in 1Q26 compared to the same quarter of 2025, as higher transported volumes, up 14.8%, were partially offset by softer pricing conditions. Cost of sales, and Gross profit Cost of sales increased by 1.6% YoY to Ps. 161,707 million in 1Q26, mainly reflecting higher costs in the Cement segment, partially offset by lower cost of sales in the Concrete and Aggregates businesses. Additionally, there was a greater impact from depreciation following the completion of the 25-kilogram bagging project. In the Cement segment, unit costs were broadly in line, increasing by 2.0% YoY. Higher depreciation impacted the segment following the completion of the 25-kilogram bagging project. Additionally, packaging-related to the implementation of the 25kg bags-and maintenance put upward pressure on the cost base. On the other hand, energy inputs, freight, and salaries contributed to cost containment efforts. Gross profit decreased by 0.3% in the first quarter, totaling Ps. 57,032 million compared to Ps. 57,201 million in 1Q25. Similarly, the gross profit margin contracted by 37 basis points year-over-year, reaching 26.1%, reflecting a sequential recovery from the previous quarter. Selling and Administrative Expenses Selling and administrative expenses (SG&A) decreased by 3.9% YoY to Ps. 24,251 million in 1Q26, compared to Ps. 25,231 million in 1Q25. This decrease was mainly driven by lower salary and freight expenses, partially offset by higher IT and marketing expenses. As a percentage of sales, SG&A stood at 11.1%, decreasing by 58 bps compared to 1Q25. Adjusted EBITDA & Margin
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 5.1% year-over-year in 1Q26, totaling Ps. 54,566 million compared to Ps. 51,939 million in the same period of the previous year, driven by improved results across all segments. As a result, the Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 94 basis points to 24.9% in 1Q26 from 24.0% in 1Q25. On a sequential basis, the margin improved by 528 basis points from 19.7% in the previous quarter. In particular, the Adjusted EBITDA margin of the Cement, Masonry and Lime segment remained broadly flat, contracting slightly by 14 basis points to 28.8%, while showing signs of sequential recovery. The YoY contraction was mainly driven by higher cost of sales, partially offset by lower SG&A expenses. Meanwhile, the Concrete segment's Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 424 basis points to -1.2% in 1Q26, from -5.5% in 1Q25, as the recovery in sales volumes, coupled with improved cost of sales, helped reduce the negative result, although it remained affected by softer pricing dynamics in a highly competitive environment and higher SG&A expenses. Similarly, the Aggregates segment improved its margin by 643 basis points, although it remained in negative territory, reaching -18.3% this quarter from -24.7% in the same period last year. In the Railroad segment, the Adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 160 basis points YoY, reaching -3.9% in 1Q26 compared to -5.5% in 1Q25. Transport volumes increased, contributing to the dilution of fixed costs, although this was partially offset by a higher impact from SG&A and lower gains in other gains and losses. Additionally, pricing performance continues to weigh on the segment's results amid a still challenging environment. Finance Costs-Net
During 1Q26, the Company reported a total net financial gain of Ps. 32,389 million, compared to a gain of Ps. 11,811 million in 1Q25. This YoY improvement was mainly attributable to foreign exchange gains resulting from the appreciation of the peso-approximately 5% during the quarter-on our U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities. Meanwhile, net financial expense increased by 19.2% year-over-year to Ps. 12,489 million, primarily driven by a lower financial income coupled with higher financial expenses. Net Profit and Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company The Company reported Net Profit of Ps. 40.6 billion in 1Q26, compared to Ps. 28.2 billion in the same period of the previous year. The improvement was mainly driven by higher financial gains, coupled with improved operating performance. However, this increase was partially offset by higher income tax expenses. Net Profit Attributable to Owners of the Company totaled Ps. 41.0 billion. During the quarter, the Company reported earnings per common share of Ps. 70.2744 and earnings per ADR of Ps. 351.3722, compared to earnings per common share of Ps. 48.8019 and earnings per ADR of Ps. 244.0095 in 1Q25. Capitalization
As of March 31, 2026, total Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments amounted to Ps. 46,401 million, compared to Ps. 14,087 million as of March 31, 2025. Total Net Debt at quarter-end stood at Ps. 259,407 million, composed of Ps. 67,363 million in short-term borrowings, including the current portion of long-term debt (22% of total debt), and Ps. 238,445 million in long-term borrowings (78% of total debt). As of the end of 1Q26, 84% (Ps. 256,420 million) of Loma Negra's total debt was denominated in U.S. dollars, while 16% (Ps. 49,388 million) was denominated in pesos. As of March 31, 2026, 84% of the Company's consolidated debt accrued interest at a fixed rate, while the remaining 16% accrued interest at a variable rate, primarily linked to short-term peso market rates. On January 23, 2026, the Company issued its Class 6 corporate bond for a total principal amount of US$ 60.0 million, with a tenure of 36 months and an interest rate of 6.5%. Part of the proceeds was used to meet the maturity of the Class 3 corporate bond. At quarter-end, Loma Negra's total debt had an average maturity of 1.4 years. The aforementioned bond issuance further strengthened our liability profile by extending the overall average maturity of our debt. The Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio stood at 1.33x as of the end of the first quarter, compared to 1.47x as of December 31, 2025. Cash Flows
In 1Q26, net cash generated from operating activities totaled Ps. 19,712 million, compared to net cash used of Ps. 1,759 million in the same period of the previous year. The YoY increase was mainly driven by lower working capital requirements, coupled with improved operating results. Improvements in accounts payable and other receivables, coupled with inventories increasing at a slower pace than in 1Q25, supported cash generation, despite this being one of the most working capital-intensive periods of the year, as clinker production is concentrated in the summer to avoid higher energy costs during the winter. On the other hand, tax liabilities, advances from customers, and trade accounts receivable partially offset this positive effect. During the quarter, the Company generated Ps. 16,042 million from financing activities, mainly due to the Class 6 bond issuance, the proceeds of which were primarily used for the repayment of borrowings, including the Class 3 bond. Additionally, Ps. 11,982 million were used in investing activities. CAPEX decreased following the completion of the 25-kilogram bagging project. Recent Events Finalization of the restructuring process of our indirect controlling shareholder On April 6, 2026, an extraordinary shareholders' meeting of our indirect controlling shareholder, Intercement Participações ("ICP"), was held, at which several resolutions were approved in accordance with the Judicial Reorganization Plan, marking the finalization of the restructuring process. As a result of these resolutions, ICP's shareholding structure was modified, incorporating as shareholders those creditors who subscribed to the newly issued shares in connection with a capital increase, among which the following stand out:
(1) Through DD3 Indigo Vale , LLC (9,3%) and RMF Indigo Vale , LLC (17,5%) (2) Through Moneda LatAm High Yield Credit Fund PLC (18,061%); Moneda Luxembourg Sicav-Latam Corporate Credit Fund (0,0171%); Moneda Latin American Corporate Debt (4,818%) and Moneda Renta CLP Fondo de Inversión (0,927%) It should be noted that the Company's direct controlling shareholder continues to be InterCement Trading e Inversiones Argentina, S.L., with a 52.14% ownership of the voting shares, which remains unchanged. In addition, under the terms of the judicial reorganization plan, Loma Negra may be subject to a marketing process until September 30, 2028, for the private sale of all or part of the equity interest indirectly held in us by ICP, which may involve multiple transactions with multiple counterparties. 1Q26 Earnings Conference Call When: 10:00 a.m. U.S. ET (11:00 a.m. British American Tobacco ), May 5, 2026 Dial-in: 0800-444-5129 (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=ViqINbca Replay: A telephone replay of the conference call will be available until May 13, 2026. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-855-669-9658 (U.S. toll free), or 1-412-317-0088 (International). The passcode for the replay is 8952694. 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 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
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SOURCE: Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad
05/04/2026 EQS Newswire / EQS Group |
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