CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCIAL SERVICE COMPANIES CIRCUMVENT WEAK ECONOMY IN Q114  (EL FINANCIERO 31)  

The economic slowdown that persisted at start of the year, an adverse calendar and the impact the tax reform has produced on people's available income and operations of certain companies, were not reflected in the construction companies and financial group sectors in the BMV, which led the positive results in Q1 2014. During this period, the highest rates of growth in operating cash flow (EBITDA) was reported by ICA, with 135%; OHL Mexico, with 37% and GRUMA with 32% ... AtGRUMA, whose EBITDA grew 32%, Barclays said its operations in the United States helped offset the poor sales of corn in Europe and lower international grain prices. 

TRENDS AND SIGNALS  (EL ECONOMISTA 7)  

GRUMA. The value of the corn processor's market capitalization totaled $46.733 billion pesos at the close on Friday, representing a 9.3% growth with respect to the $42.747 billion reported in Q4 2013.

GRUMA RAISES WAGER ON HONDURAS (LA PRENSA.HN).

Mexican food giant GRUMA will introduce a new line of products to the Honduran market this year. With this commitment, the maker of the popularMasecabrand seeks to strengthen its presence in the market for corn flour in Honduras ... The list of new products to be marketed in Honduras includes dough to make chips, which will only need to be kneaded with water before frying... The new products will go on sale in June ... 

MONTERREY INDEX FALLS (EL ECONOMISTA PP 1-8)  

So far this year, the Regio Index has dropped 5.2%, compared to the IPC on the BMV, which has fallen about 3.9% from January to date, as announced by Grupo Financiero Monex. The Regio Index comprises 20 companies based in the state of Nuevo León that are listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange.The most favored issuers so far this year are Autlán mining, with a 35.6% yield on its shares; CYDSASA, with a 27.5% increase in its share price, and GRUMA with its 17% yield ...The issuers reporting the highest gains in April were Minera Autlán, with 25.9%;GRUMA, with a 7% increase, and bottling company Arca Continental, with a 6.9% increase. 

WEAK CORPORATE REPORTS FOR FIRST QUARTER 2014. (EL ECONOMISTA 2-10)  (24 HORAS 20)  (LA JORNADA 25)  

Overall financial reports of companies listed on the BMV, for the first quarter of 2014, which ended last week, were weak, partly due to the slowdown in the domestic economy ...The companies that reported the best EBITDA results included ICA, with 135%; Vesta, with 32%; Gruma, with 32%; Sport, with 23%; OHLMEX, with 21%; KOF, with 19%; GAP, with 18%; Pinfra, with 17%; FEMSA, with 17%, y Lab, with 14%. The issuers that reported their EBITD Aabove analyst expectations included Gruma, with 8%; GAP, with 3%; Comerci, 2%; Arca Continental, with 5%; Vesta, with 6%, and América Móvil, with 1%.

ISSUERS FLUNK IN THE MEXICAN STOCK EXCHANGE. (EL ECONOMISTA 2-5)  

On average, the quarterly reports issued by companies listed on the BMV “failed” because of the prevailing difficult economic situation. Carlos Ponce, market strategy director at Grupo Financiero Ve por Más (BX+), explained that the results of an analysis of seven current indicators compared with the stock exchange's maximum, minimum and average levels for 100 companies listed on the BMV over the last five years, concluded that the numbers reported in the first three months of the year were not favorable. He explained that in the first three months of 2014, the issuers reporting the best performance and that are still attractive include: Bachoco, GAP, Gruma, Gentera, Herdez, FibraMQ, Sport, GFNorte, LAB, FUNO and FINN. 

50 MOST POWERFUL BUSINESSMEN/ONE  (MUNDO EJECUTIVO 2-18-25)  

We present 50 entrepreneurs of the next generation of CEOs whose organizations now generate up to 16% of national GDP. In this sample, 96% of them have university degrees. Graduates from different institutions, attended the Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) primarily, followed by Universidad Iberoamericana, the Anáhuac University, the ITAM... The old view that many entrepreneurs had no education has changed. These executives 2.0, as mentioned, attended the best universities in Mexico and the world. They are in the continuous pursuit of success so every day face the challenges present in a highly competitive market such as Mexico, and the international market, of course. Therefore, 100% of the companies have an international presence. Cases like América Móvil, Femsa, Cemex, Omnilife, Mabe, Bimbo, Alfa, Grupo Salinas, Televisa, GRUMA Softtek, an Alsea, among others, are the most outstanding. In the ranking, position 21 is occupied by Juan A. Gonzalez Moreno, President of the GRUMABoard of Directors.

FRICASÉ/ POWERFUL LADY. (EL NORTE 0)  ...

(Incidentally, GRUMA'S on the Mexican Stock Exchange yesterday traded at around 123 pesos, about three times its price reported 18 months ago, when Don Roberto died and his son Juan González Moreno took the reins of this international consortium, with a presence in America, Europe and Asia).

BEST PERFORMANCE OF AMERICA (EL ECONOMISTA 4)

This number of Fondos is celebrating 300 uninterrupted issues, so we decided to bring you the yields of the best 300 American issuers on different horizons. When analyzing performance in the last 300 days, the top 10 is dominated by US issuers where TSLA is the winner with a 453.99% increase, and a notable performance by EDN listed in the Stock Exchange of Buenos Aires. The Mexican company reporting the best progress is GRUMA (+134.31%) ... 

TRENDS AND SIGNALS  (EL ECONOMISTA 7)  (EL UNIVERSAL 4)  

GRUMA The corn processor's shares led the gains last week on the Mexican Stock Exchange Price and Quotations Index, registering a 9.88% price increase in the period. Industry analysts expect the company to grow 34% higher in sales than in 2013, moving from 2.0 million to the 2.78 million pesos expected for this 2014. However, the expectation is based on the price of its shares, which traded at a record high of 118.33 pesos, also reporting the second biggest increase in the IPC ... The price of the processor's shares has 31% so far this year...

THE NYSE CELEBRATES THE FOURTH EDITION OF THE MEXICO DAY (EL ECONOMISTA 1-4)

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) yesterday celebrated Mexico Day, a day dedicated to Mexican companies, with the Mexican ambassador to the United States, Eduardo Medina Mora leading the traditional bell-ringing ceremony. The Mexico Day kick off was also attended Sandra Fuentes Berain, the Consul General of Mexico in New York alongside Medina Mora and the governor of the State of Puebla, Rafael Moreno Valle, plus the CEOs of 15 Mexican companies, including five that are listed on the NYSE. The main ADRs (American Depositary Receipt) of Mexican companies ended the day with gains. GRUMA's performance was notable with its 2.98% increase to sell at $41.11 pesos...

DIVIDENDS DOWN (EL ECONOMISTA 1-8-9)  

The payment of dividends of companies listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange fell 48% in one year. In 2013, they paid just a little over 340 billion pesos and the figure for this 2014, reached 154 billion pesos. Financial analysts agreed that the decline is due to the fact that companies paid advance dividends in 2013, to avoid paying the new tax that came into effect this year, with its 10% rate on the payment of these resources, as well as a reduction in the earnings of these companies ... Individually, Monex said that the companies paying good dividends are: Fresnillo, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, The Mexican Stock Exchange, Maseca, and Grupo Sanborns, among others.

JULIO BRITO / RISKS AND RETURNS  (LA CRÓNICA DE HOY 26)  

Cemex, the world's third largest cement company with a presence in more than 50 countries cannot remain without an Admiral. The problem is that the sudden death of Don Lorenzo Zambrano was a surprise to all, both within and outside of the company, so it is impossible to appoint his successor within 48 hours. In other cases, such as Televisa, Emilio Azcárraga Milmo's death came after a prolonged case of cancer, giving Emilio Azcárraga Jean time to take over. Also in the powerful Peralta family, by the time of Don Alejo's death caused by age, he had had enough time to plan the succession of his son Carlos. A similar situation happened with Don Roberto González Barrera, in such a way that the family was able to keep control of GRUMA with its operations in more than 20 countries and especially the United States ...  

CORPORATE TIME: GRUMA SHARES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL INDEX  (EL MAÑANERO (RADIO))  

Roberto Aguilar:Securities specialists expect to see GRUMA shares included in the Morgan Stanley Capital International Index that plans to announce its semi-annual balance today. These expectations are based on the positive operational and financial results the world's largest flour and corn tortillas producer has achieved in recent quarters. An additional positive factor is the positive behavior of company's shares, which reported the highest gains on the Mexican Stock Exchange last year and have accrued 310% in gains over the last two years.

Brokerage firm Morgan Stanley is designing and updating a series of indexes made up baskets of shares from different countries. The main advantage of having an issuer included in these indicators is that more foreign investors can participate in an indirect way, by investing in the referenced index. In 2014 GRUMA celebrates its first 65 years of operations. 

IMBALANCE  (EL UNIVERSAL 2)

The demand investors put on Lala, headed by Eduardo Haro Tricio and GRUMA, commanded by Juan Antonio González Moreno on their results will further increase after they are added to Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Index Mexico this week, although analysts say the outlook for domestic consumption are positive, which will benefit companies in the sector. The question everyone is asking is how much time will be needed to achieve sustained growth rates and reverse the slowdown experienced in recent months.

MEXICANS AMONG THE WORLD GIANTS  (EL UNIVERSAL 12)  (DON DINERO)  

Organización Soriana, Femsa Comercio (OXXO), Coppel, Grupo Comercial Chedraui and El Puerto de Liverpool are ranked among the 250 largest retail companies in the world, while Femsa, Grupo Bimbo, Grupo Modelo, GRUMA, Arca Continental and Mabe are among the leading consumer goods companies worldwide, according to information from Deloitte.

TRENDS AND SIGNALS  (EL ECONOMISTA 7)

GRUMA. The issuer will introduce a range of products to Honduras consolidate its in Central America. Its plant in that country produces over 11,000 metric tons per month. José Jaikel, the GRUMA Manager for the Central American market, reported that the company expects to begin selling its products in that country in June, where it invested close to US $2 million. 

ICA, OHL, GRUMA Y GENOMMA LAB STAND OUT BECAUSE OF THEIR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES (MILENIO DIARIO 34)

ICA, OHL, Gruma and Genomma Lab stand among the most efficient companies in terms of operations, as their first quarter results reflected strong performance in that area. In contrast, conglomerates and mining companies were the weakest ... According to company information sent to the Mexican Stock Exchange, ICA's operating cash flow increased 135% in the January-March period in 2014 followed by Ohlmex with 36.6%; GRUMA with 31.5%, and Lab with 14.1% over the same period of 2013. Meanwhile, GRUMA's increase in operating cash flow was due to an improvement in cost of sales as the tortilla business was fine tuned in the United States and it reduced discounts and the weight of some of its corn product presentations. The company saw lower raw material prices in Europe.

BETTER BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANS  (EXCÉLSIOR 4)  

Companies listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange are increasingly concerned about succession, such as seen in Cemex, GRUMA, Bimbo, América Móvil and Grupo Carso, according to a study on family businesses in Mexico. The challenge to grow, mature and remain prepared by KPMG, shows that only 13% of businesses in Mexico have a succession plan ... Another recent case was GRUMA, in which after the death of its founder Roberto González Barrera, the company managed to maintain its growth, and has been one of the most attractive companies for investors this year, due to its savings and cost reduction strategies...

MEXICANS IN THE WORLD / NEWS ON NATIONAL COMPANIES OPERATING ABROAD  (EXPANSIÓN 26-27)  

GRUMA,The fashionable tortilla. 63% between January and March 2014. Grupo Maseca sales outside of Mexico represented 63% of its total. The fashion in the United States to consume Mexican food is one of the factors that are driving GRUMA sales in that country, according to Ve por Más analyst José María Flores... 

STOCK MARKET UPS AND DOWNS (FORBES MÉXICO 14)  

The winners. Juan Antonio González Moreno +6.42% of the Gruma market value. 50.83 billion pesos. In the last year, it has doubled its share price, due in large part to its cost reduction policy, which has allowed it to report positive results.

CAPTAINS  (REFORMA 3 / EL NORTE WITH A BULLET)  

Juan González Moreno... The GRUMA captain receives the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs in the United States, precisely because of the company's expansion into the USA, where it arrived in the mid-70s. Globally, GRUMA sells just a little over US $4 billion per year.

JUAN GONZÁLEZ MORENO, ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR BY THE AEM  (EL NORTE 0)  (EL SOL DE MEXICO 3 PHOTO OF JUAN GONZÁLEZ MORENO) (LA JORNADA 27)

The Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs (AEM) in the United States gave the Gruma Chairman and CEO, Juan González Moreno, the Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 award for his proven track record in business in the United States and the excellent financial and operational results Gruma has reported under his leadership and direction. AEM Chairman, Eduardo Bravo, who has spent 18 years promoting business relations between Mexico and the United States, presented the award to González Moreno before AEM partners and board members, and the special guests attending the event from Mexico and the United States. Eduardo Bravo spoke of GRUMA chairman's proven track record in business, as he started his career at GRUMA as Vice President of Azteca Milling in 1982, to then become a fundamental part of the Mexican multinational's expansion in the United States.

IN VERSIONS (MILENIO DIARIO 24)

Grain of flour. You might have heard that the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs in the United States gave the GRUMA President and CEO, Juan González Moreno, its Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 Award thanks to his proven track record in business spanning two decades in the United States, and the results the company obtained last year under his direction. However, you may not know that the executive pledged to add his “grain of flour” for better the understanding of the business cultures between Mexico and the United States.

MAURICIO FLORES/PEOPLE BEHIND THE MONEY(LA RAZÓN 15)

Gruma 65th anniversary. GRUMA, the company founded by Roberto M. González and his son Roberto González Barrera, will soon celebrate its 65th anniversary. GRUMA is currently known as the most globalized Mexican company that has spread cornmeal throughout the world, and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award Juan González Moreno received from the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs in the United States, further adds to the celebration, confirming the firm control and leadership of the company spanning three generations. 

IRASEMA ANDRÉS DAGNINI / CLEAR ACCOUNTS (LA RAZÓN 17)

Another grain of flour. GRUMA have a “buy” recommendation based on their positive two-digit profitability expectations in the medium and long term, supported by the company's operating profits. The Mexican company is celebrating its 65th anniversary under the leadership of its President and CEO Juan González Moreno, who received the Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 Award from the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs (AEM) in the United States ...Juan González Moreno also received the Good Neighbor 2013 Award from the Chamber of Commerce of the United States ... 

JESÚS RANGEL/TUG OF WAR (MILENIO DIARIO 26)

The Room Next Door. What a way to celebrate GRUMA' 65th anniversary! Juan González Moreno, President and CEO of the corporate headquarters received the Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 Award from the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs in the United States. GRUMA first started to operate in that country in the mid-70s and has 28 plants strategically located throughout the nation.

ACTIONS AND REACTIONS  (EL ECONOMISTA 2)

They go green. The Fundidora Park in Monterrey will open “The Earth House Planet Observatory” next Thursday, June 5th. The exhibition, which is all about this earthly sphere we inhabit, receives satellite data from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States of America. The information includes meteorological, environmental and natural phenomena, to better study the changes presented by this planet earth. This opening event is part of GRUMA's 65th anniversary celebrations in Monterrey.

GRUMA CELEBRATES WITH GROWTH  (EXCÉLSIOR 2-4)

GRUMA is celebrating its 65 years, thanks to its capacity for change, which has allowed it to expand its operations into more than 100 countries with sales in the amount of 54.106 million dollars annually. The flour specialists say they are going for more, by maintaining their strategy of seeking out new markets. According to Monex analyst Carlos Gonzalez, the company “will continue with its strategy of entering other markets to sustain its growth.” The specialist said that the company “has maintained its presence in Mexico, which is a high tortilla consumer market, although it has also promoted its other products in the market, thereby ensuring its entry into other markets by adapting to their customs.” González also noted that the company has been able to react to challenges, such as the 2008-2009 crises, when it had to restructure some of its liabilities. “The company was able to offset the negative effect of matters like Venezuela to ensure its diversification,” he said. According to GBM, GRUMA continues to gain profitability and the strong generation of free cash flow, which has served to deleverage.

IMBALANCE  (EL UNIVERSAL 2)  

GRUMA sponsors. On Thursday, June 5th, GRUMA President and CEO Juan González Moreno,will lead the opening of the exhibition The House of Earth Observatory Earth, where he is expected to elaborate on his support of initiatives generated within the framework of the company's 65th anniversary, talk about the production outlook of the world's largest tortilla maker and its growth strategies, after receiving the Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 Award from the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs in the United States ... 

GRUMA SHARES ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE INCREASE THEIR VALUE (EL NORTE 0)  

During the last month, Grupo Maseca (GRUMA) shares registered a 12.73% increase, going from 116.03 to 130.80 pesos, although it should be noted that three years ago, GRUMA shares were listed at only 20.63 pesos, registering a 534.03% increase yesterday. Consequently, these commodities are likely to slightly increase or even become normal, although José María Flores, a Banco Ve por Más analyst dismissed the idea that this affectGRUMA. 

MEXICO LEADS THE RANKING OF TRANS-LATIN ENTERPRISES  (EL ECONOMISTA pp 4-5)  

Mexico led the ranking of the 50 largest Latin American companies, in terms of their sales abroad, according to a report released by ECLAC. Of these, 16 companies are headquartered in Mexico, followed by Brazil (14), Chile (11), Colombia (6), Argentina (2) and Venezuela (1). The list was headed by Brazil's Petrobras, with sales equal to US $137.695 billion, followed by Pemex in Mexico (US $126.483 billion), Venezuela's PDVSA (US $124.459 billion), Mexico's América Móvil (US $59.778 billion) and Brazil's Vale (US $45.761). While Mexico's direct investment abroad has a long history, its flows have increased in recent years, contrary to what happened in Brazil and Argentina ... Several of the Mexican trans-Latin companies already have more than 50% of their operations, sales, assets or jobs outside of Mexico: América Móvil, FEMSA, Cemex, Bimbo, Grupo México and Gruma…