What guidance did Gerdau Pref ADR's management provide for the next earnings period?

What were the key takeaways from Gerdau Pref ADR's earnings call?

What is the market's earnings forecast for Gerdau Pref ADR next quarter?

Did Gerdau Pref ADR beat or miss consensus estimates last quarter?

What is Gerdau Pref ADR's gross profit margin?

What does Gerdau Pref ADR do and what are its main business segments?

What is Gerdau Pref ADR's latest dividend and current dividend yield?

What is the revenue and EPS growth rate for Gerdau Pref ADR year over year?

- **North America Outperformance**: North American EBITDA占61% of total, driven by strong demand and U.S. steel import tariffs.
- **Brazil Challenges**: Imports占23.4% of domestic consumption; Gerdau reducing CapEx in Brazil starting 2026.
- **Financial Strength**: 0.85x leverage ratio, BRL 2.6 billion EBITDA, and 90% payout ratio (dividends + buybacks).
- **Strategic Shift**: Prioritizing North America investments (e.g., solar steel) over Brazil, with reduced 2026+ CapEx in Brazil.
- **Cost Optimization**: BRL 1.1 billion EBITDA expected from Miguel Burnier mining project; Q2 production inefficiencies resolved in Q3.

**【Management Opening Remarks】**
- CEO Gustavo Werneck highlighted the company's commitment to workplace safety and sustainability, noting a record-low GHG emissions rate of 0.85 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel.
- CFO Rafael Japur reported Q2 2025 adjusted EBITDA of BRL 2.6 billion (+6.6% QoQ), driven by North American operations (61% of consolidated EBITDA). Net income rose 14% to BRL 864 million.
- The company issued USD 650 million in bonds and BRL 1.4 billion in debentures to strengthen cash flow and extend debt maturity. Leverage ratio stood at 0.85x, well below policy targets.

**【CEO Strategic Update】**
- North America: Strong demand and capacity utilization, with order backlog at historical highs. Steel import tariffs in the U.S. are supporting domestic production. Management expects to maintain a healthy market outlook despite high interest rates.
- Brazil: Imports占23.4% of domestic consumption, driven by ineffective quota tariffs. Gerdau will reduce CapEx in Brazil starting in 2026, focusing on cost optimization and competitiveness.
- Global Strategy: Shift to prioritize North America investments (e.g., Midlothian expansion) over Brazil, due to stronger demand visibility and returns.

**【CFO Financial Details】**
- Q2 2025 Financials:
  - Adjusted EBITDA: BRL 2.6 billion
  - Net Income: BRL 864 million
  - Dividends: BRL 0.12 per share (BRL 239 million total)
  - Share Buybacks: BRL 700 million year-to-date (68% of 2025 program)
- Capital Allocation:
  - Q2 CapEx: BRL 1.6 billion (72% of Miguel Burnier mining project complete)
  - North America: Postponed Phase 1 of Midlothian expansion to maintain production capacity
  - Brazil: Reduced future investments due to market challenges
- Liquidity: Free cash flow expected to improve in H2, with net debt at BRL 9 billion (0.85x leverage ratio).

**【Q&A Highlights】**
1. **CapEx Allocation**:
   - Brazil: Reduced 2026+ investments due to lack of returns; focus on cost-cutting (e.g., BRL 1.1 billion EBITDA from Miguel Burnier project)
   - North America: Maintain investments in high-margin products (e.g., solar racks, specialty steel)
2. **Brazil Market Dynamics**:
   - Imports占23.4% of domestic consumption; government inaction on trade defense
   - Gerdau maintains market share through cost leadership and service differentiation
3. **Debt Management**:
   - Net debt increase to BRL 9 billion due to CapEx and shareholder returns; leverage ratio remains below policy target
   - Free cash flow expected to improve in H2, supporting debt reduction
4. **Special Steel Growth**:
   - North America: Monroe mill efficiency improvements driving margin expansion
   - Brazil: Automotive sector (15% of deliveries) at risk from U.S. tariffs


Gerdau S.A. (GGB) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

- **Safety & Sustainability Leadership**: Achieved top-tier safety metrics and global mining certification, reinforcing ESG credentials.
- **North America Recovery**: Order backlog at 70+ days, pricing improvements, and non-residential construction growth offset macro risks.
- **Brazil Market Struggle**: 22% imported steel penetration despite HRC expansion; focusing on cost control and 2025 EBITDA lift from mining.
- **CapEx Restructuring**: 2025 CapEx ~BRL5-6B, but future reductions likely as strategic projects near completion.
- **Share Buybacks**: Accelerating buybacks due to undervalued shares, with >74% payout ratio in Q1.


**【CEO Opening Remarks】**
- **Safety & Sustainability**: Achieved an accident frequency rate of 0.61 and received IRMA Level 50 certification for Miguel Burnier mine, one of only 11 mines globally with this recognition.
- **Brazil Expansion**: Ouro Branco hot-rolled coil (HRC) expansion increased flat steel capacity, but domestic market remains challenged by 22% imported steel penetration, up 3ppt from Q4 2024.
- **North America Recovery**: Order backlog rose to >70 days (above historical levels), driven by US import tariffs and non-residential construction demand. However, caution over US economic uncertainty.

**【CFO Financial Highlights】**
- **Q1 2025 Results**: Adjusted EBITDA of BRL2.4 billion, net income of BRL758 million (BRL0.37/share). Resilience from geographic diversification offset Brazil margin pressure.
- **CapEx & Cash Flow**: Q1 CapEx of BRL1.4 billion focused on HRC expansion and mining. Free cash flow constrained by Ouro Branco startup costs and Brazil market oversupply.
- **Share Buybacks**: Executed 44% of Gerdau S.A. buyback program (BRL444M) and completed Metalúrgica Gerdau buyback (BRL56M), with >74% payout ratio.

**【Q&A Key Themes】**
- **CapEx Outlook**: 2025 disbursements ~BRL5-6B, but expects lower future levels post-strategic projects. Cancelled Mexico investment due to automotive sector uncertainty.
- **US Market**: Optimistic on beams/mERCHANT bars with price increases and improving spreads. 2025 EBITDA growth potential in North America despite macro risks.
- **Brazil Challenges**: High imported steel penetration (~22%) and lack of effective trade defense. Focus on cost control, HRC mill ramp-up (250k t/y by end-2025), and mining expansion for EBITDA lift.
- **Energy Strategy**: Targeting 50% self-sufficiency with BRL400M+ annual investments in solar and power plants, driven by tax benefits and cost efficiency.
- **Share Buybacks**: Prefer buybacks over dividends due to undervalued shares (BRL15+ book value vs. current price). No immediate change to Gerdau Metallúrgica buyback plans.


GGB

GGB fundamentals

Earnings Call

You can ask Aime