By Anthony Harrup

MEXICO CITY--Cemex posted double-digit growth in first-quarter sales and operating gains, while net profit fell from the year-earlier period when the building materials company benefited from an asset sale.

Cemex reported net profit of $228 million for the January-March period, or $0.17 an American depositary share. Profit was down 69% from $734 million in the year-earlier quarter, which included income from the sale of Cemex's operations in the Dominican Republic. Excluding the one-off gain last year, profit almost doubled, Cemex said.

First-quarter sales rose 11% to $4.02 billion, despite adverse weather in the U.S. and Europe. Higher pricing contributed to the revenue increase, as well as a recovery in sales volume in Mexico, where the government accelerated social programs such as rural roads and housing.

Cemex's overall cement sales by volume rose 1% to 10.2 million metric tons. Aggregates volumes were practically flat at 30.2 million metric tons and ready mix concrete volume fell 3% to 10.1 million cubic meters.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 34% to $794 million, supported by improvement in sales volume, higher prices and cost efficiencies. Cemex's Ebitda margin increased by 3.3 percentage points to 19.8% of sales.

"A large part of this margin gain is structural and sustainable, driven by improved operating efficiency and a leaner cost base," Cemex said.

Write to Anthony Harrup at anthony.harrup@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 23, 2026 08:10 ET (12:10 GMT)

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