Cementos Mexicanos (Cemex) obtained a net profit of 318 million dollars (mdd) in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q25), a growth of 38% compared to the same period of the previous year, which was driven mainly by its operations in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, according to its results report for the period sent to the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) , which highlighted the strengthening of the Cutting Edge Project .
In that regard, the Mexican firm raised its operating cash flow (EBITDA) savings target for this year under the project to $200 million , from the previously announced $150 million, reflecting faster progress in organizational simplification and cost reduction.
Cemex anticipated achieving savings of $400 million by 2027. “These estimates include approximately $200 million in annualized corporate headcount reductions,” the company said.
“As we began implementing our strategic framework, we moved rapidly in the second quarter to transform our corporate structure, introducing a new operating model that simplifies administrative functions, fosters agility, and empowers our regional teams to deliver results,” said Jaime Muguiro, CEO of Cemex.
During the reference period, Cemex posted net sales of $4.126 billion , a 4% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, its operating cash flow (EBITDA) was $823 million in 2Q25, which represented an 11% decrease compared to the same period last year.
“This performance is largely explained by a challenging comparable base, driven by record operating cash flow performance in the second quarter of 2024 (2Q24), as well as volume dynamics, partially offset by cost efficiencies,” the report stated.
Regarding its operations in Mexico , the cement company reported sales of $1.06 billion in the second quarter of 2025, a 23% drop compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, its operating cash flow decreased 24% to $347 million compared to the same quarter in 2024.
“In Mexico, quarterly results continued to face challenges due to the difficult prior-year comparative base, driven by pre-election social and infrastructure spending, the level of the exchange rate, and the first year of a new administration,” Cemex stated.
In this regard, the company expects volumes to improve in the second half of 2025, as the previous year’s comparative base is achieved and the Mexican government accelerates its infrastructure and social housing plans .
In the United States, the company also posted losses during the period. Sales there were $1.306 billion , a 6% drop compared to the same period in 2024. EBITDA fell 6% to $279 million compared to the same period last year.
In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, sales totaled $1.341 billion in Q2 2025, a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Operating cash flow was $229 million , an increase of 31% compared to the second quarter of 2024.
Meanwhile, in Central, South America and the Caribbean , Cemex reported sales of $318 million in the aforementioned cycle, a 2% decrease compared to the same cycle in 2024. In that region, its operating cash flow was $51 million , a 22% decrease compared to the second quarter of last year.
“Cemex provided full-year operating cash flow guidance showing stable performance compared to 2024, with potential for upside. It expects free cash flow to accelerate in the second half of the year, driven by improved profitability and the seasonal recovery of working capital investments,” the company emphasized.
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