OREANDA-NEWS. Gerdau closed the first quarter of 2014 with a 15.1% increase in consolidated net income, reaching BRL 10.6 billion. This increase was due primarily to the effect of the exchange rate from dollars into reals, intensification in iron ore sales and the larger volume of steel sold on the domestic Brazilian market and in Latin American countries. A total of 4.4 million tons of steel was sold during the same period, which is a 3.7% decline in relation to the first three months of 2013. This was mostly due to lower exports from Brazil - partially offset by the growth in sales volume on the domestic market - and the decline in long steel sales in the United States because of the harsh winter and increased imports in the region. Consolidated steel production, in turn, rose 3.3% compared to the first quarter of 2013, reaching 4.6 million tons.

The operating cash flow (EBITDA) of BRL 1.3 billion for the quarter represents a 48.6% increase in relation to the first quarter of 2013, while consolidated net profit reached BRL 440 million, an increase of 175%. These significant variations in EBITDA percentages and net profit are the result of better performance in most of the company's business operations, as well as the reduced comparative basis (1st quarter of 2013), with performance notably lower due to maintenance shutdowns at production plants during the period.

In the first quarter, Gerdau performed well in relation to previous years. This was the result of efforts by company management, the positive exchange rate effect and improved demand in different markets. In the coming quarters we will continue to work at improving operational efficiency, optimizing working capital and changing the debt profile in pursuit of continuously improving results. We will also continue to invest in our strategic projects, such as expanding iron ore and flat steel production in Brazil in line with our position of continuing to be “selective in CAPEX assessment,” says the CEO of Gerdau, Andre B. Gerdau Johannpeter.

Throughout the quarter, the international markets Gerdau targets behaved differently. In Brazil, domestic sales (excluding special steel production units) grew 1.8% in relation to the same period the previous year, totaling 1.4 million tons. Whereas exports from the country fell by 60.4% to 155,000 tons. In the United States and Canada (excluding special steels production units) 1.5 million tons were sold, 4.2% less than the first quarter of last year, affected by the harsh winter in the region and the substantial increase in imports.

Units in other Latin American countries (excluding Brazil) totaled 681,000 tons sold, 5.4% higher in relation to the first three months of 2013. In turn, sales conducted by the Special Steels Business Operation (including production plants in Brazil, the United States, India and Spain) totaled 758,000 tons, an increase of 13.6% compared to the first semester of 2013, which was influenced by greater demand in all regions, particularly India.

In 2014, iron mining activities that were previously reported as part of the Brazilian Business Operation are now presented separately as the new Iron Mining Business Operation. From January to March, iron ore sales reached 2 million tons against the 912,000 tons sold over the same period the previous year. Of this total, 812,000 tons were designated to Gerdau steel plants and 1.2 million to the market.

Gerdau investments reach BRL 678.6 million in the first quarter

In the first quarter investments in fixed assets (CAPEX) reached BRL 676.8 million as the result of previously disclosed investments. With respect to iron mining operations (Minas Gerais state), Gerdau continues to invest in increasing production capacity from 11.5 million tons a year to 18 million tons by 2016.

In Brazil, another relevant investment was the expansion of the specials steels plant in Pindamonhangaba (Sao Paulo state), where production caters primarily to the automotive industry. At the end of 2013, operations began at the new steel rolling mill, whose installed capacity went from 700,000 tons to 1.2 million tons, with the final portion of investments made in the first quarter of 2014.

In Argentina construction began on a steel mill in late February, with a production capacity of 650,000 tons of steel a year. With operations expected to begin in 2016, the steel plant will reduce the volume of imported steel in the country.

Major investments are being made in the United States in production plants located in Saint Paul (Minnesota), Midlothian (Texas) and Beaumont (Texas). A new continuous casting is being installed at the Saint Paul unit to replace the existing equipment. This will raise the unit's production capacity from 450,000 tons to 550,000 tons in 2014. Investments at the Texas units focus on improving product quality and productivity of company units, which will also be concluded in 2014.

Gerdau raises capital of USD 500 million in 30-year bonds in April

In April, Gerdau issued USD 500 million 7.25% bonds due in 2044, the proceeds of which were used primarily in debt extension. Geographic distribution was 71% in the United States, 21% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 7% in Latin America and 1% in Asia-Pacific.

Also in April, Gerdau announced an exchange offer of part of the debt securities maturing in 2017 and 2020 for new 5.893% bonds maturing in 2024 with a value of USD 1.25 billion. The company also announced a tender offer of part of the debt securities maturing in 2015 and 2020 to the value of up to USD 250 million. Both operations will be concluded in the first two weeks of May.

Dividends to be paid on May 30

On May 30, the public companies Gerdau S.A and Metalurgica Gerdau S.A will settle dividends pertaining to the first quarter of 2014. A total of BRL 119.3 million will be allocated to Gerdau S.A shareholders (BRL 0.07 per share) and BRL 44.7 million to Metalurgica Gerdau S.A shareholders (BRL 0.11 per share).