MAY 2

GRUMA AGREES TO PAY DIVIDENDS. (EL NORTE 14/REFORMA 8) (LA JORNADA 22) (EXCÉLSIOR 2) (EL FINANCIERO 21) (MILENIO DIARIO 31)(MILENIO NOTICIASTV (14:00 A 16:00)) Gruma reported that during its Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting, held on April 27, the payment of a shareholder dividend of MXN 1.852 billion, equivalent to MXN 4.28 per share, was approved... The company explained that the dividend will be paid in four installments, the payment dates being July 17 and October 16 of this year, and January 15 and April 16, 2019. The Shareholders' Meeting also approved an increase toGruma’s share buyback fund from MXN 650 million to MXN 2.5 billion.

CORPORATE AFFAIRS. (LA CRÓNICA DE HOY 20) Gruma. In line withGruma’s constant efforts to benefit its investors, the company informed the market that at its last Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 27, a cash dividend payout to shareholders of MXN 1.852 billion (MXN 4.28 per share) was approved … 

MAY 3

BETWEEN THE LINES. (EL FINANCIEROMTY.COM)  Reward. Investors who put their bets on Gruma must undoubtedly be pleased as its Annual Ordinary Shareholders' Meeting has just approved, among other items, the payment of a cash dividend. The company will pay MXN 4.28 per share, making the total amount to be paid MXN 1.852 billion. Payment will be delivered in four installments with payments being made on July 17 and October 16, 2018, and January 15 and April 16, 2019. In addition, an increase to its buyback fund was approved, bringing the amount available for the repurchase of shares to MXN 2.5 billion. The company explained that this dividend payment is in line with the company's constant efforts to return value to its shareholders.

MAY 4

MARKETS TO BECOME MORE VOLATILE IN THE RUN-UP TO ELECTIONS. (EL ECONOMISTA 11) Volatility and uncertainty will grow in the Mexican market as the Mexican presidential elections to be held on July 1 approach. This volatility, however, will be short-lived, according to most brokerage firm directors. Of the issuing companies surveyed, shares of Mexican companies with a dominant market share, as well as a profitable foreign division that generate attractive returns and a positive trade balance in dollars are recommended. Among the favorite companies that fit this description are Arca Continental, Walmex, America Móvil, Fomento Económico Mexicano, as well as Cemex Mexichem, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, Gruma and Cuervo.

MAY 5

FOOD COMPANIES GROW THANKS TO PURCHASES. (MILENIO DIARIO 18) Last year was a year of consolidation for those Mexican food companies with a presence in foreign markets. The year saw acquisitions of companies with a view to driving business and their portfolios. In 2017,Gruma, Lala and Bimbo, among other companies, consolidated their business strategy by purchasing other companies. Their financial results have increased as a result. Last year, Gruma demonstrated its commitment to growth by finalizing a takeover bid to buy all the shares ofGrupo Industrial Maseca(Gimsa) not owned by the company. In doing so, the largest producer of corn flour in the world was able to gain a share inGimsaof over 99%. Gimsa, which mainly supplies the Mexican and US markets, is the one ofGruma’s most productive operations in terms of tonnage; in 2017 alone, it produced about 2,039 tons, 671 tons above whatGruma U.S. produces.

MAY 10

COLOMBIA MAY BE ABLE TO SECURE MORE MEXICAN INVESTMENT. (EL ECONOMISTA 26) Mexican companies such as Proesa, FEMSA, Vitro, Gruma, Grupo Carso, Gigante, Herdez, as well as Hass avocado producers, along with others are “hungry” to set up or expand their investments in Colombia, in order to diversify markets and attend to the South American and Asian markets, according to executives of Colombian investment agencies. During a visit to Mexico, a group of public-private investment promoters from Colombia’s most significant metropolitan centers, including Bogotá, Cali, Antioquia, Barranquilla and Armenia, offered themselves as a “refuge” for the capital of Mexican companies facing threats of protectionism in the United States, where they could take advantage of the tax and logistical benefits that come from its network of trade agreements.

MAY 14

GRUMA PROMOTES SUSTAINABLE CORN. (EL NORTE 14 BUSINESS WITH PHOTO OF JUAN GONZÁLEZ MORENO)  (LA JORNADA 23) (MILENIO DIARIO 32) (EL FINANCIERO 24)(EL ECONOMISTA 26) (EXCÉLSIOR 2) (REFORMA 1) Gruma will maintain its backing of small agricultural producers in Campeche and Tamaulipas by using the largest possible amount of sustainable white corn in these regions of the country. In order to do so, company President and CEO Juan González Moreno, and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Director General Martin Kropff, signed a collaboration agreement to promote the “Program of Technological Support and Research for the Sustainable Production of Corn.” This agreement, which has been endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) is also intended to stimulate and promote agricultural activities that ensure food security in Mexico and Latin America. The largest producer of wheat flour and corn tortillas in the world will allocate USD 872,000 over three years, USD 290,000 per year, for research and development in Mexico’s rural economy.

JESÚS RANGEL/ GIVE AND TAKE (MILENIO DIARIO 28) (MILENIO DIARIO DE MONTERREY 0) The agreement between Gruma and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to boost the productivity of small farmers of white corn, will start to be applied in Campeche and Tamaulipas.

GRUMA AND THE INTERNATIONAL MAIZE AND WHEAT IMPROVEMENT CENTER SIGN AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY IN MEXICO.  (MILENIO TV NOTICIAS (16:00 to 18:00)

CHINESE COMPANIES PURSUE MEXICAN MARKET. (EL UNIVERSAL 1-3) Chinese businessmen are looking for a way in to the Mexican market, and the ongoing NAFTA renegotiations may prove to be the perfect time for the two nations to form an alliance, said Karla Loyo, director of the Mexico-China Chamber of Commerce and Technology. Of the Mexican companies present in China, the agency has information on Grupo Bimbo, Worcester, the first Mexican company to produce valves for oil and gas in China, added Loyo. Also present are Softek, Nemak, Gruma, KUO, Interceramic, Televisa and an information technology firm called Yalo. 

MAY 16

WHICH ISSUING COMPANIES FARED THE BEST AND THE WORSE IN 1T18? (EL ECONOMISTA 1-3) At the end of the first quarter of the year, the issuers that are part of the main stock index, the Mexican Stock Market (BMV) S&P/BMV/IPC, showed a general trend towards a modest balance sheets, mainly due to market volatility. At a consolidated level, the results were slightly below expectations, although some companies managed to perform well. Gruma is among the companies with the highest level of consolidated profit in its 12-month shares (14.36,) as well as the best consolidated 12-month earnings (26.17) ...

MAURICIO FLORES: GRUMA AND CIMMYT REACH AGREEMENT (EXCÉLSIOR TV MORNING HEADLINES 7:00 AM)

MAY 19

JOAQUÍN LÓPEZ-DÓRIGA: FIRST HOUSES IN THE “BANORTE ADOPTS A COMMUNITY” PROGRAM DELIVERED (CIRO GÓMEZ LEYVA POR LA MAÑANA) Joaquín López-Dóriga: Grupo Financiero Banorte has begun to deliver the first houses of its “Banorte Adopts a Community” program. The houses were donated to families affected by the earthquakes last September. The program was launched in the community of San Francisco del Mar in Oaxaca. In tandem, the Caravana Banorte is currently carrying out mammograms for women in the community, as well cultural activities for children, family finance workshops for mothers, nutritional studies and delivery of Maseca kits.

MAY 22

HEINEKEN PLANS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE “CLUB.”  (EL NORTE (ON LINE) 0) Heineken México hopes to cooperate with food sector companies in its agriculture via conservation project. This concept involves using less water, energy, and fertilizers, as well as conservation of soil nutrients via crop rotation and PepsiCo has already shown interest. Marco Mascarúa, VP Corporate Affairs at Heineken Mexico, said the company hopes that companies such as Gruma and Bimbo will participate in the program and convince their agricultural suppliers that the use of new techniques, in addition to making their businesses more sustainable, will afford financial benefits. 

MAY 24

JOAQUÍN LÓPEZ-DÓRIGA: GRUMA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL MAIZE AND WHEAT IMPROVEMENT CENTER. (CIRO GÓMEZ LEYVA POR LA MAÑANA) Joaquín López-Dóriga:Gruma is a Mexican company and a global leader in the production of corn flour and tortillas. It has just signed a collaboration agreement with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. It is also hoped that this agreement will stimulate and promote agricultural activities that ensure food security in Mexico and Latin America. Gruma will provide USD 872,000 over three years for research and development. During the first stage of this initiative, the profitability of white corn farmers in Campeche and Tamaulipas will increase.

MAY 29

SUSTAINABILITY AND CSR STRATEGIC AXIS FOR GRUMA http://www.elponiente.com.mx/sustentabilidad-y-rsc-eje-estrategico-de-gruma/ There are few companies that have, since their inception, implemented sustainability and corporate social responsibility as one of its strategic axes. One of the most notable cases in Mexico is that of Gruma, the Mexican company led by Juan González Moreno that is dedicated to the production of corn flour, tortillas, tortilla chips, wraps and flatbreads, as well as other foods derived from corn and wheat...

MAY 31  

MEXICO, NOW PART OF A PART OF OUR LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES https://www.univision.com/noticias/opinion  The entrepreneurship of Latino immigrants has always been a fundamental part of the economic upturn in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, as in countless other cities across the United States, due to the fact that immigrants are generally twice as likely to start a new business than natives. The arrival of large national and international companies to the outskirts of the city has also had a significant impact, and there are now three companies of Mexican origin that employ hundreds if not thousands of Hazelton residents, as well as those of its surrounding area. Grupo Bimbo is one of these three companies; it provides almost a quarter of the bread produced in the United States and has two plants in Hazleton. Also present is Mission Foods, a division of Gruma, the main producer of tortillas both in the United States and Mexico and which has a plant 10 minutes from the city. The third company is Wise Foods, producer of Wise Potato Chips, the official chips of the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox, and which is part of the Mexican company Arca Continental...