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CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (CX)

Q2 2014 Earnings Call· Fri, Jul 18, 2014

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good morning. Welcome to the CEMEX Second Quarter 2014 Conference Call and Video Webcast. My name is Lorraine, and I'll be your operator for today. (Operator Instructions) Our hosts for today are Fernando Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer; and Maher Al-Haffar, Executive Vice President of Investor Relations, Communications and Public Affairs. Now, I'll turn the conference over to your host Fernando Gonzalez. Please proceed.

Fernando Gonzalez

Management

Thank you, operator. Good day to everyone, and thank you for joining us for our second quarter 2014 conference call and video webcast. After Maher and I discuss the results of the quarter, we'll be happy to take your questions. We're pleased with our operating EBITDA generation during the quarter, with a growth of 3% on a like-to-like basis, adjusting for the fewer number of business days. Consolidated cement and aggregate volumes increased by 1% and 2% respectively, while ready-mix volume declined by 1% during the quarter. On a like-to-like basis and adjusting for the higher number of business days, all of our regions enjoy higher cement and ready-mix volumes during the quarter with the exception of Northern Europe, where in some countries construction activity was brought forward as a result of the very good weather during the first quarter. However, when we take a look at the year-to-date performance, volumes in Northern Europe still show healthy growth. For the second half of the year, we expect consolidated volumes to continue performing well. Our volumes in Mexico should gradually increase as infrastructure activity picks up and year-over-year comparison becomes easier. On a sequential basis and in local currency terms, our consolidated prices for both cement and aggregates increased by 1%, while ready-mix prices remain flat. While year-to-date prices in U.S. dollar terms for cement are flat, reflecting weaker currencies in some countries, cement prices from December to June are up 4% similarly ready-mix and aggregate prices are up 3% and 10% in the same period. We're pleased with the recent performance in volumes and prices, which is largely in line with our mid-term business plan presented earlier this year. As part of our financial results, we reported a controlling interest net income during the quarter of $76 million. This is…

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Thank you, Fernando, and hello to everyone. Net sales on a like for like basis and adjusting for the fewer number of business days increased by 5% for the quarter and by 7% for the first half of the year. Adjusted operating EBITDA increased by 3% and adjusted operating EBITDA margin declined by 0.3 percentage points. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales remained flat during the quarter. Operating expenses also as a percentage of net sales increased by 0.4 percentage points. This increase is mainly due to higher distribution expenses during the quarter. Our kiln fuel and electricity bill on a per ton of cement produced basis declined by 1% during the second quarter. During the quarter our free cash flow after maintenance CapEx was $63 million compared with negative $86 million in the same period in 2013. During the quarter we had slightly higher EBITDA, lower financial expenses and working capital as well as positive other expenses which more than offset higher maintenance CapEx and higher taxes. The other expenses lines include proceeds from asset sales mainly real estate assets in Northern Europe. The lower year-over-year working capital investment during the quarter is mainly due to an improvement in receivables. Year-to-date working capital days declined to 27 from 28 in the same period in 2013. As in prior years we expect to recover most of the investment in working capital during the second half of the year. Other expenses met during the quarter resulted in an income of $62 million which includes a gain in sales of assets including real estate assets in Northern Europe mitigated by severance payment. We also had a foreign exchange gain of $65 million resulting primarily from the fluctuation of the Mexican Peso versus the U.S. Dollar. We also recognized a…

Fernando Gonzalez

Management

For 2014, we expect our consolidated cement ready-mix and aggregates volumes to grow in the mid single-digits. As detailed in our per country guidance, we anticipate most of our major countries to exhibit volume growth during the year. Regarding our cost of energy on a per ton of cement produced basis, we expect it to be relatively flat from last year's levels. Guidance for total CapEx for 2014 is about $670 million. This includes $505 million in maintenance CapEx and $165 million in strategic CapEx. The increase in strategic CapEx guidance reflects the new grinding plant in Nicaragua announced in May. Regarding working capital, we anticipate the working capital investment during this year to be similar to last year's. We expect cash taxes for 2014 to reach about $600 million. As a result of our liability management initiatives, we anticipate a marginal reduction in this year cost of debt including our perpetual and convertible securities from 2013 levels. In closing, I want to emphasize three points. First, pricing trends continue to be favorable. Consolidated prices for our three main products in local currency terms increased on a year-over-year basis. Sequential prices were up for cement and aggregates and flat for ready-mix. Second, we expect improved performance from our Mexican operations during the second half of the year. We should lead to stronger overall EBITDA generation for the full year 2014. Third, we remain focused on value creation proactively improving our operating performance by focusing on pricing value added products and services, maintaining our cost discipline and outsourcing support activities while at the same time looking for ways to optimize our portfolio. Thank you for your attention.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Before we go into our Q&A session, I'd like to remind you that any forward-looking statements we make today are based on our current knowledge of the markets in which we operate, and of course could change in the future due to a variety of factors beyond our control. In addition, unless the context indicates otherwise all references to pricing initiatives, price increases or decreases refer to our prices for our products. And now, we will be happy to take your questions. Operator?

Operator

Operator

(Operator Instructions) Our first comes from Carlos Peyrelongue from Merrill Lynch. Please go ahead.

Carlos Peyrelongue - Merrill Lynch

Management

Thank you. Good morning. Thank you for the call.

Fernando Gonzalez

Management

Good morning.

Carlos Peyrelongue - Merrill Lynch

Management

Two questions, if I may; first one related to Mexico. Could you elaborate a bit more on the expected recovery for the second half? If you could breakup -- give us an idea of what sector would be infrastructure? Are we covering self-construction? Or where do you see the pickup coming to achieve mid-single-digit volume growth in Mexico, would be great. And the second is related to margins in the South and Central America, and the Caribbean region. Big drop year-over-year, 600 basis points. Can you comment on what type of recovery you will expect and what would drive that recovery? Thank you.

Fernando Gonzalez

Management

Sure, Carlos. Thanks for your question. I can start with the question referred to volume recovery in Mexico. What I can comment first is that if you remember in 2013 the second half of the year was the part of the year in which volumes erode. So, assuming same current volumes for the second half compared to a lower base in second half '13, that will give us around 2% increase of volumes. Second, besides this base effect, as we mentioned during the first half, it was the former construction sector, the housing, particularly the one providing for most of growth, while informal is slightly below. Now, we do see very direct indicators that make us believe that informal construction will be much stronger during the second half. Indicators like job creation increasing by 3%. I think we have been commenting on a change in the trend of remittances which the current information we have at this year-to-date May is that remittances has increased for about 13%. Besides that, consumer confidence is increasing. So we do believe that the informal sector would provide for additional growth during the second half.

Carlos Peyrelongue - Merrill Lynch

Management

Okay. Thank you, Fernando.

Fernando Gonzalez

Management

Thank you.

Carlos Peyrelongue - Merrill Lynch

Management

And the one on South America?

Fernando Gonzalez

Management

Do you want to take that one?

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Sure. Yeah -- Carlos, hi. The most important driver of the margin decline, probably two thirds of the number is coming from maintenance in the quarter compared to last year. We had very little maintenance taking place in Colombia, and so doing that distorted the numbers. In first half we maintained six gallons, while last year we only maintained one gallon. The other thing of course is our currencies. That had an impact. Colombian Peso was quite weak. The Dominican Peso was quite weak, the Colon was weak. Looking into the second half of the year, we certainly expect pick up in margins. We see continued pick up in volumes. Obviously the maintenance is behind us now. As you know the Columbian Peso already started appreciating as we speak. I don't know if that answers your question.

Carlos Peyrelongue - Merrill Lynch

Management

Yeah. Thank you, Maher.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

I'd like to go back to your first question, Carlos, because I should have also mentioned the -- how the public spending is evolving and we expect we will continue evolving during the second half. As you know expenditure has been increasing materially. As we mentioned we have not seen it reflected already in volumes for the first half, but clearly there are early indicators that are showing us the number of large projects that the government is already putting in place like rail roads, highways and another projects. That also for sure will impact this sector during the second half. The question is still to -- how much and how soon, but compared to a few months ago, not to say to last part of last year, these indicators are much, much concrete, much clear. So we feel much more confident. But this sector will start improving during the second half.

Carlos Peyrelongue - Merrill Lynch

Management

Thank you, Fernando.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thanks. Operator?

Operator

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from Nikolaj Lippmann from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Nikolaj Lippmann - Morgan Stanley

Analyst

Thank you. Hi, gentlemen. How are you doing? Thanks for the call and for taking my question. Two questions if I may. First one on Mexico, and then on the asset swaps; Mexico, it looks like we are doing really well on ready-mix and of course we see cement volumes rocketing. Can you help us to understand what's going on, understand from a European competitors have changed their strategy. So you are taking market share in ready-mix? Are you taking it from European competitors? Can you say anything about whether you think you are losing share on the cement side in Mexico. Then my second question is related to Europe. How should we think about the idea of asset swaps after the rejection in Europe asset?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Okay. So let me start with asset swap. So in Europe I think the process continues. You know how these processes are. There are -- I don't know if we -- I should call them rumors or unofficial information regarding the rejection of the transaction, which is not necessarily the case. We will continue the process and we will follow the indications from authorities in order to finalize or to find out the conditions in which we can finalize this transaction in Europe. You know the part in -- the business in Germany, Czech Republic is already approved. So we are still working on the Spanish part of the transaction. So whenever we have concrete information to share with you, we will gladly do so.

Nikolaj Lippmann - Morgan Stanley

Analyst

In Mexico?

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Yeah. Nikolaj, in Mexico -- in cement, I think our position reflects, I would say, the market. There has been a lag in particular on the infrastructure side. On the ready-mix side the reason that we have seen better performance. I don't know if you are aware, but in terms of infrastructure projects we are probably, I want to say, uniquely positioned. But certainly we probably have the biggest exposure to the formal sector, and particularly the large infrastructure, large formal housing because of the product offerings that we have, because of the quality and because of the credibility we have in the market. Certainly the first half growth and continuing into the second quarter was predominantly driven by the formal construction sector, the bulk cement ready-mix area. That's why our performance has been higher. Commercial also has been doing very well and we have a big participation about that. Now, in terms of commenting about market share loss or gain, frankly, we prefer not to address that point.

Nikolaj Lippmann - Morgan Stanley

Analyst

Okay, thanks.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thank you very much.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. And our next question comes from Ben Theurer from Barclays. Please go ahead. Ben Theurer – Barclays: Hey, good morning, Maher. Good morning, Fernando. Congratulations first of all, and thank you for the call.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Good morning. Ben Theurer – Barclays: I have two quick questions. First of all on the U.S. doing a little bit of math and what we've seen on expansion in total sale. How that then translates through the operating leverage into EBITDA growth? It has been let's say surprisingly low in the second quarter with approximately 44%. I remember last year that figure was more like 80% and actually the expectation for this year was more like toward 60%. So what were the reasons for why that operational leverage in the U.S. did not materialize in such a good way? Or where we are seeing pricing actually, very strong, up year-over-year approximately 6% and sequentially 5%; with that strategy in mind there should be a much better operational leverage. So that would be question one. The second question would be following up on the Mexico price increases in local currency terms. Do you have any plans to further increase prices throughout the year, because if we take a look into the different price increases in local currency terms, it's till relatively minor on cement, what we've seen compared to last year. I know you've increased compared to the fourth quarter. But it's still not a very strong increase at least in local currency terms i.e. compared to the U.S., what we are seeing. So what are the pricing initiatives in Mexico going forward?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Okay. Well, starting with your first question, the operating leverage in the U.S. In the case of the U.S. we had an effect similar to the one in South America or in Colombia which is maintenance, because of equipments that needed to be maintained because of the additional volume we are having those markets. If we adjust the 44% you were mentioning of operating leverage due to this additional maintenance expense, that will go up to about 50% and I am referring to the first half of the year, because this additional maintenance we think is around $17 million. We do not expect any additional and we might turn around on this amount of maintenance in the first half, before the second half. So operating leverage in the second half should be higher compared to the one we had during the first half because of that reason. Ben Theurer – Barclays: Okay. Just to clarify those 17 million you just mentioned. It's only second quarter. This is not what was already in the first quarter where I think you already mentioned, was a little bit over 20 million we are expecting on maintenance. So basically you spend an additional maintenance into the second quarter as well affecting your EBITDA growth in the quarter and it would have been more like really to be towards 135 million instead of 120 million. Is that correct?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Well, the total effect in the first half should be around 25 million and what we should be recovering in the second half is around 17 million, so that what we can expect for the year. There are also some effects that I didn't mention, which is related to inventory. But that's a little bit more uncertain, because in the first have we deal some inventories and there is an impact that we will use them during the year that we will reverse that impact also. But the main numbers are the ones that I already mentioned. Ben Theurer – Barclays: Okay, perfect.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Yeah. The Mexico pricing, Ben, as you know last year prices December-to-December declined by 9%. Of course that's a point-to-point pricing drop. If we would take a look at kind of weighted average realized prices during the year was much less than that. So far this year we've recovered on the same basis point-to-point, beginning of January or end of December to end of June, 7%. We are actually now at prices higher than last year. And of course as Fernando mentioned earlier we just announced the ready-mix pricing increase, a 9% ready-mix pricing increase earlier this month. It's too early to talk about traction. But we will continue and certainly we are targeting to recover input cost inflation in all of the core products in Mexico. And also as Fernando indicated, we are expecting things to improve on the volume side in the second half of the year. And that should provide better support to some of the pricing announcements that we have made in Mexico. So we are optimistic about things holding up and improving in the second half of the year. Ben Theurer – Barclays: Okay. Thanks, Maher.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thank you.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. And our next question comes from Jacob Steinfeld from JP Morgan. Please go ahead.

Jacob Steinfeld - JP Morgan

Analyst

Hi. Good morning, Fernando, Maher.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Good morning.

Jacob Steinfeld - JP Morgan

Analyst

I have two questions. First one is on the cash flow slide that you have in the deck on slide 15. Can you walk us through the 148 million positive gain that you have in the quarter?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Was it under one question or we will have the connection?

Jacob Steinfeld - JP Morgan

Analyst

No. No, that's it.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Okay. Jacob, about $157 million was essentially the fixed asset sales, which was offset by other expenses like severance and some other items.

Jacob Steinfeld - JP Morgan

Analyst

Okay. Thank you very much. And my second was what was your opinion, I guess, what was your biggest disappointment in the quarter?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Sorry. Could you repeat that? You broke a little bit, Jacob.

Jacob Steinfeld - JP Morgan

Analyst

Sorry. My second question was what was your biggest disappointment in the quarter and the result?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

I didn't think on disappointments. But I will think about it.

Jacob Steinfeld - JP Morgan

Analyst

Okay. Thanks. That was it.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Great. Thanks a lot, Jacob. Operator?

Operator

Operator

Thank you. And our next question comes from Vanessa Quiroga from Credit Suisse. Please go ahead.

Vanessa Quiroga - Credit Suisse

Analyst

Hi, Fernando, Maher, thank you for the call.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Hi, Vanessa.

Vanessa Quiroga - Credit Suisse

Analyst

My question is regarding Mexico and if you can give us a little bit more color on the infrastructure, the better infrastructure indicators that you are seeing. Is it correct to say that the better performance that could be expected from this sector going forward will come from private sector investment, meaning the infrastructure plan actually ramping up rather than government spending with a projects? And then linked to that would be, at these current conditions, when would you expect to be able to reinitiate the new capacity that is pending in the forecast? Thanks.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Well, as I mentioned before, Vanessa, what we see is some indicators in showing much more activity in the public sector or in the segments related to public investment. And we have a larger number of vendors. We have already won some of these tenders. The actual consumption of a product is still not available. It will come during the second half. The ministry is the ones much more related to construction expenditure is much higher than last year. Those are the indicators that make us believe that the activity is increasing. During the first half as we are -- the whole trend is that the activity in this sector started to be adjusted. We went to sort of an inflection point for the whole half of the year. The activity is flat. So if you add to this flat trend, these additional volumes coming from these projects, I think we have already mentioned which projects, highway from Acapulco to Chilpancingo, a dam in Sonora. There are a couple of highways being tampered as to speak, large highways, more than 600 kilometers. All of that is making us believe that the sector will start growing or it has already changed its trend and we started growing during the second half.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Vanessa, if I can add to that, I mean, although it's not infrastructure. I think that we are quite pleased in what we are seeing from the governments behavior in the formal housing, affordable housing. I mean if we take a look at housing starts in general, they were up 21% year-to-date. That's a very impressive acceleration in the housing numbers. And also we have seen quite immaterial acceleration in subsidies, almost 16% year-to-date. So I think that we are seeing definitely the formal sector really stepping up. And that's really what's going to continue to drive the growth in volumes in the second half of the year.

Vanessa Quiroga - Credit Suisse

Analyst

Excellent. So given those conditions what is your outlook for the Tepeaca plant?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

We don't have yet any specific plans to make an announcement. But I think we are getting closer to that point. So whenever we are saying that we should continue with the project in Tepeaca plant, we'll do it. As you may know, Vanessa, most of the investment in Tepeaca is already done. Yes, we still need to invest some additional amount, but depending and according to demand we will consider investing in Tepeaca, but for the time being we don't have any specific plan.

Vanessa Quiroga - Credit Suisse

Analyst

Okay, excellent. And apologies if I missed your specific comments about pricing in the U.S., but you did have a schedule of new price increases for July. Is that still your expectation that you will implement price increases this month in some markets?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Yes, Vanessa. As you saw the performance on pricing across all of our products, the April pricing increases, certainly the earlier pricing increases have been quite positive and very well received by the market. I know that in the early part of the year we had a little bit of cautiousness on the summer and fall pricing increases, but we're seeing a lot more support in the market and we're optimistic about the summer and fall pricing increases getting traction.

Vanessa Quiroga - Credit Suisse

Analyst

Okay, excellent. Thank you very much.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thank you.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Thanks, Vanessa.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Operator?

Operator

Operator

Thank you. The next question will come from the webcast.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Okay, thank you. The question from the webcast is from Chris Choi from SKY Harbor Capital Management. The question is can you elaborate on the impact of the uncertainties surrounding highway trust fund in the U.S., and your outlook on the U.S. business going forward?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Yes, go ahead.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Yeah, the -- I don't know if you're -- Chris, I'm sure you're following this in the U.S. We're quite -- On one hand, we're pleased; on the other, we're cautious. I mean we're pleased to see quite a bit of alignment between both the President, and certainly both parties, and both Houses, frankly. And as you know, there has been a House bill that provides for about an $11 billion infusion passed the House Tuesday. And we're waiting for the Senate. We're optimistic that it's likely to go through. Now, frankly, nobody is high five-ing each other, because of that, we wish and we looking forward to the administration providing us with a longer term solution to the situation. So we're happy about that. We think that that's going to lower the volatility in infrastructure projects awards. The problem that we've seen from prior years is that when we see these extensions, the quality of contract awards tend to be biased towards maintenance projects, instead of new miles put into place. And that unfortunately tends not to translate in as much cement demand as we'd like it to be. But having said that, in our markets the performance of infrastructure and particularly, streets and highways have been particularly good. So we're optimistic, but we wish the administration and both parties would come up with a longer term solution and not have to suffer, but we sufferer the last time around, which is an extended period of extensions.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. And our next question comes from Dan McGoey from Citigroup. Please go ahead.

Dan McGoey - Citigroup

Analyst

Hi. Good morning, gentlemen. Thanks for the call.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Good morning.

Dan McGoey - Citigroup

Analyst

Can you talk a little bit about priorities on balance sheet management, including scope for further early conversion of the convertible debentures? And also, I guess the appeal of it alleviate some of the restrictions that you have on investments, the interest rate environment?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Sure. I mean the converts as you've seen, Dan, that -- we've been opportunistic in the good sense of the word. And so we will continue to do that, frankly. And we see that as a risk management process. We're obviously focusing on the near-term maturity. So we will continue to focus on the 2015. And we've also been reacting frankly to reverse increase. So, yes, we'll continue to do that. On the refinancing side, as you've seen us, we've been very proactive. We've been very vigilant on an ongoing basis. We're always ready to hear proposals, where -- we're not timing markets, frankly. And anytime we see a good opportunity to either extend and/or reduce the cost of our debt, we'll be taking it. And we're very pleased with the way the market has supported us in every transactions that we've come to the market with. So, we're quite pleased, and we'll continue -- I don't think we see any change in the approach, frankly.

Dan McGoey - Citigroup

Analyst

And maybe second half of that question, Maher is the importance of moving the restrictions on the ability to do acquisitions or investments specifically there is potentially opportunities from divestitures from your global peers. How important is that internally in size?

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

As in the past, whenever it's been needed, we might or we might not need it. We have proposed to the banks participate in the financial agreement for certain amendments or waivers and what we've seen is that when there is a good reason to do it, we will do that. We've been receiving their support. So, then, if -- for whatever the reason you are referring to acquisitions, we might need for an amendment or a waiver, we'd proceed as we've done in the past.

Dan McGoey - Citigroup

Analyst

Okay, thank you.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thanks.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Thanks, Dan. Operator?

Operator

Operator

Thank you. And our next question comes from Mike Betts from Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Mike Betts - Jefferies

Analyst

Yes, thank you very much. My two questions; the first one. I think from memory in Q1 there was a $54 million hit from the maintenance and inventory issue. We have heard a bit about Colombia and we've heard a bit about the U.S. -- apologies for the alarm you can probably hear in the background. Could you give an update to what that 54 stands at the end of the first half? Has it gone up or has it gone down? I think you indicated for the U.S. how much you expected to get back in the second half. Do you have a similar feeling for the group? Then my second question, please, just on Egypt. Could you indicate what sort of capacity utilization you are operating at now currently in Egypt? I think you indicated you were still having problems with the fuel supplies. Have they eased at all as you've gone through the quarter? Then if you could just clarify the comments about new capacity, because I thought there wasn't any further new capacity to come on stream. Or was that just assuming that people would be able to operate at higher utilization rates than in the past? Thank you.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Regarding Egypt, we're operating at full capacity. And we've managed to do so because of a combination of a couple of factors because of the type of fuel we use in Egypt, which is a fuel oil that is called Mazout. And that's different to the fuel that is used in most of the cement plants in the Cairo area, which is gas and which is the area in which there has been some restrictions to the energy needed to run those plants at full capacity. And the other factor is our alternative fuel strategy that in Egypt has been evolving very nicely. So far we've been operating at full capacity. Now, regarding the question you made about maintenance, the number you're mentioning; you're right, it was 50-something million. And the calculation right now is that as of the first half the additional amount -- that 50-something -- 54 million correlates about $36 million. So that is the amount. And we do expect in the second half, part of it again to be reversed.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

And also Mike, if I can add also; there's some inventory component that we're expecting to be reversed just a little bit under -- about $7 million that we expect in the second half.

Mike Betts - Jefferies

Analyst

So to just make sure I got the number right, the 54 turned down to 35 at the end? Sorry, to 36 at the end of H1 or did I mishear that?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Yes, (indiscernible). And just a remainder, okay, as you recall, last quarter we said maintenance and inventory was 54 million. That was roughly broken down half-and-half between inventory and maintenance.

Mike Betts - Jefferies

Analyst

So there was -- in the second quarter there was an $18 million reduction or $18 million-ish reduction. Is that right?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Roughly, yes.

Mike Betts - Jefferies

Analyst

Fifty four minus 36, and I guess what I'm trying to get to is what region did that occur in or where did that reduction occur? So which regions saw the benefit from it?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Yeah. As you remember, the biggest contributor to that in the first quarter was the U.S. And so that's where we've seen both the inventory and the maintenance. And of course SAC has also been a contributor as well. But the U.S. has the biggest chunk. As you recall, last quarter we said that out of the 54, close to 30 million was coming out of the U.S. business.

Mike Betts - Jefferies

Analyst

But shouldn't that have boosted the operating leverage in the second quarter then in the U.S., the re-credit back of that? Or am I missing something?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Sure, it boosted -- Well, of course it has a positive contribution, but there are other pieces that are moving, that is fading away a little bit of the operating leverage, right.

Mike Betts - Jefferies

Analyst

Okay.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

So, of course it had a positive impact, but there maybe -- for example, Mike, transportation is an area that has worsened a little bit for us as we're getting to full capacity in several of our markets, and we're having to transport our products longer distances. So, there are many moving pieces, right? So it definitely did positively contribute, but there were other items that may have dampened that effect.

Mike Betts - Jefferies

Analyst

Okay, understood. Then, if I could, just one follow-up on Egypt. How do you see that market developing? I thought -- I maybe misheard, but I thought you were talking about potentially seeing either slower volumes or as new capacity opens. Maybe I missed the point, Fernando, on that. Is that that you think that other plants will get up to better utilization rates and, therefore, you won't be able to keep it 100% capacity utilization? Was that the point you were making?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

I think the supply of energy in Egypt will improve in the country as a whole, because there will be more or less the same amount of national gas available, plus as you may know, very recently authorities authorized imports of coal and pet coke for different players. So, in the case of Egypt, and again mainly in the north end of Cairo, there is capacity that has not been able to be used because of this shortage of energy. So that's should start changing during the second half. Even though these authorizations have been done, we don't believe that the higher capacity utilization in the country will happen immediately. It would take some time. But we think that will be the dynamics of the market. In our case, we do expect to continue using our capacity utilization full or very close to full capacity.

Mike Betts - Jefferies

Analyst

Understood. Thank you very much.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thanks.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Thanks, Mike.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from Marcos Assumpcao from Itau. Please go ahead.

Marcos Assumpcao - Itau

Analyst

Hi. Good morning, everyone. First question on the cash flow perspective for the second half of the year. Could you comment a little bit on your expectations for free cash flow? We already had a quarter of positive free cash, but mainly impacted by the sale of assets. So we are seeing an improvement in EBITDA probably Mexico, continued improving results in the U.S., probably lower taxes, and also lower financial expenses a little bit. So what is your perspective on the free cash in the second half? My second question is on Europe. If you could comment both on northern Europe and then in the Mediterranean, we are seeing positive growth on EBITDA and probably a little bit ahead of expectations as well. Do you expect that trend to continue in northern Europe and also in Spain if you really saw the market bottoming out right now?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Well, the direct answer to Europe is that, yes, Europe has been performing slightly better than we expected. And we've commented that already for a couple of quarters, and we do expect Europe to continue performing. In the case of Spain, yes, the market for the first time is bottoming up, but as you may know, it is doing at a very low base. So the good news is that Spain, the domestic market in Spain started reacting and we do expect again starting from a low level, but that it will continue evolving positively. Now, regarding the question to cash flow would -- as you may know we don't provide cash flow guidance as such, but also as you may, the second half of the year because of seasonality and economic activities are much, much better, free cash flow is the highest free cash flow half of every year.

Marcos Assumpcao - Itau

Analyst

All right, thank you.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thanks.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Thank you, Marcos. Operator?

Operator

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from Francisco Suarez from Scotiabank. Please go ahead.

Francisco Suarez - Scotiabank

Analyst

Hi, thank you very much. Good morning.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Good morning.

Francisco Suarez - Scotiabank

Analyst

Thank you very much. Good morning. If I may, a question on your cap calls. It seems that that could be actually a major source of value for you guys. Any chances of seeing a potential amendment to the conditions on your cap calls at this moment?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Can you repeat that question? I didn't hear the last part of …

Francisco Suarez - Scotiabank

Analyst

Yes, sorry. My question relates to if there is any chance of doing perhaps a new negotiation with your banks and a potential amendment to the cap calls that you have.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Well, not necessarily negotiating with the cap calls. That's an asset we have. As you may know, related to -- we did them related to the coverts. But definitely they're a source of value. And currently we have been monetizing the ones related to converts in 2015, but the ones related to '16 and '18, we're keeping them and we don't have immediate plans for those. But, yes, you're dead right. It's an important asset, I'm referring to the value those assets have.

Francisco Suarez - Scotiabank

Analyst

I agree. If I may, a last question on your overall outlook for certain regions in the United States because certain players are pointing out that amid a low base, northern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas seems to be the most dynamic markets at this moment. I don't know if you can actually share with us any color on those regions particularly. Thank you.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Yeah. Well, for us, the most dynamic markets have been California, Texas and Florida. Texas and Florida in particular have been the biggest contributors to growth and employment since the beginning of the year. And so, we definitely continue to see that trend in those markets. Capacity utilization in the southern part of Florida is approaching very high levels. In Texas, as you know, we're -- it's at the maximum and we're having to bring cement from adjacent markets. In California, similar situation as well. So, the highest growth certainly will continue to be in those three markets, but of course also we're seeing some important growth in the north of the Florida markets as you said, Alabama and Georgia, but not to the same level as we're seeing in those markets.

Francisco Suarez - Scotiabank

Analyst

Interesting. Lastly, in the Odessa plant is your debottlenecking has already entered the market, the increasing capacity in Odessa?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

No. We haven't completed that yet.

Francisco Suarez - Scotiabank

Analyst

Okay, thank you very much.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thanks.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Thank you. Operator?

Operator

Operator

Thank you. We have time for one more question. And it will come from Heber Longhurst from Interacciones. Please go ahead.

Heber Longhurst - Interacciones

Analyst

Thank you for taking my call. I have one quick question. Which, if any, regions do you expect to see higher-than-average maintenance expenses during the third and fourth quarters?

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Which region? Well, I think most of major maintenance, which are referred to cement are done in the first half.

Heber Longhurst - Interacciones

Analyst

Okay.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

That's particularly true because of seasonality in North Europe and parts of the U.S. And in most of the cases is first half, so I don't -- right now, I don't have in my mind, and I don't foresee any additional or special maintenance when comparing it to second half of last year.

Heber Longhurst - Interacciones

Analyst

Okay. Thanks so much.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Thank you.

Maher Al-Haffar

Management

Thank you. Operator?

Operator

Operator

Thank you. I'll now like to turn the call over to Fernando Gonzalez for closing remarks.

Fernando Gonzalez

Operator

Well, thank you very much. And in closing, I'd like to thank you all for your time and attention. We look forward to your continued participation in CEMEX. Please feel free to contact us directly or visit our Web site at any time. Thank you, and good day.