Ricardo Lewin
Analyst · Banco Santander. Mr. Christian, you may proceed
[Interpreted] Good afternoon and thank you for joining us Cosan’s earnings conference call for the first quarter of 2022. With me today we have Luis Henrique, our CEO and Ana Luisa Perina our IR manager. Let's start today's presentation with the financial and operating highlights of each business. Our presentation is very concise, since our listed subsidiaries have already reported the year results and held their calls with the market. Let's start on slide number 4 with Raízen. Since this quality closes the 21 to 22 crop year I will focus on the highlights for the year. We set a new record for our adjusted EBITA supported by significant improvement in the operational performance of Raízen within the guidance range share with the market. In renewables, the better prices and maximization of gains from sales, boosted a strong result. And as you all are aware, we are advancing in our plan to expand the supply of clean and renewable energy. With the recent announcements our pipeline already closed the construction of a second biogas plant scheduled for 2023 as well another three E2G plants in addition to the one already operating on a commercial scale, which should be ready in 2023 and 2024. In sugar, we also had important rise in sales price and continue to increase our share of direct sales to destination. This partially offset the lowered volumes, which were affected by the crop setback and by the carryover of inventories to the coming month, seeking to maximize profitability. In marketing and services EBITDA grew over 50% with better returns, and higher volumes across all segments, benefiting from the good opportunities to expand the network in Brazil and in the Latin America operations. Let's go to slide number 5, which shows the results of Compass Gás & Energia. The slight reduction in Compass sales volume in the quarter reflects the weaker demand from the industrial segment caused by a red expected scheduled maintenance shutdowns at clients. This impact was offset by growth in the commercial residential and automotive segments and by the addition of the volumes distributed by Sulgás consolidated from January on. Meanwhile, EBITDA growth was driven by better margins adjusted by inflation and ongoing operating efficiency gains at Comgás as well as by the incorporation of Sulgás. Going now to slide number 6, you can see the results of Moove. The period was marked by the recovery in lubricant sales volume, despite the decline on a year-over-year basis. Remember that the first quarter of last year represents a strong comparison base for lubricant sales volume since it’s pharmacy was leveraged by the economic recovery after the most critical months of the pandemic, especially in Brazil. Meanwhile, EBITDA captured the continuous improvement in profitability evidencing Moove's effective cost control, and sharp sourcing and pricing strategy, despite the more challenge demand scenario in early 2022. Let's go to slide number 7 to talk about Rumo. Transported volumes registered strong growth in the quantity mainly the North Corporation. The result reflects the anticipation of the soybean season, operating efficiency gains and the ramp up of the central network operation. As a result, Rumo captured market share gains in the green export from the part of centers aligned with our marketing strategy. Meanwhile, EBITDA margins fell from the first quarter last year, the increase in average tariffs wasn't enough to offset their higher variable cost in the quarter which were pressured mainly by diesel. Even so, the higher fixed costs and expenses legged inflation reinforcing the company's capital discipline. Moving on, is slide number 8 shows the results of Cosan. As discussed in each business, our portfolio delivered solid results in the quarter despite the challenges. In corporate the expenses were in line with expectations at Cosan [Indiscernible]. EBITDA was represented mainly by the revenues from the leasing of agricultural land by [Indiscernible]. The other companies are startups and projects in the pre-operational stage and therefore, on a combined basis represent negative EBITDA which offset part of [Indiscernible]. As a result, pro forma EBITDA grew due the better operating performance of Cosan and Compass. Meanwhile, the net income was affected by higher financial expenses in all Cosan businesses, which are component the rise of interest rates. And Cosan's consolidating investments in the quarter increased year-over-year mainly due to the highest paid -- including now by Biosev and at Compass partially offset by lower CapEx at Rumo. Let's go to slide number nine, which shows our group's financial highlights. We conducted liability measured actions to follow the entire group. The sequential reductions in gross debt is explained by the prepayment of 2025 bonds at Rumo and the buy amortizations at high easing. The net debt EBITDA came to two times within their ideal range for the group reflecting the significantly EBITDA growth in the last 12 months. Meanwhile, cash flow registered nearly half the burn in the first quarter last year, representing important improvements supported by funding operations at Compass, and higher operating cash in Raízen from sales of inventory. These effects were partially offset by the expenditures with the acquisition of Sulgás and with the second installment for the acquisition of Port of Santos [Indiscernible]. Although not related to the quality, I'd like to reinforce subsequent events for the quarter. First, the shareholders meeting in April approve the distribution of R$800 million in dividends for 2021. That will be paid on May 20 complementing the R$700 million in interim dividends paid in December. We also concluded Cosan's fourth debenture issue, raising R$1.5 billion in two series one for six years and the other for 10 years. The proceeds will be used to replace and reinforce our cash position following the transactions carried out in recent moves, such as the acquisitions of [Indiscernible]. Also in May, a new stock buyback program was approved to replace the previous one, which provides for the maximum repurchase of 110 billion shares over the next 18 months. Remember, that part of this quantity of shares was contracted through total returns to operations as reported monthly. Before closing, I want to go over some recent events in our ESG agenda on slide number 10. In April, we published our annual sustainability report, which will keep readers up-to-date on the progress made in our ESG journey during 2021. I invite you to read the report, which is available on our website. In addition to Cosan, Compass also publishes its report, and soon the reports of other businesses will be made available. We also celebrated all companies in our portfolio becoming signatories to the global compact, our UN initiative to encourage companies to adopt the responsible corporate social and sustainability policies. In April Raízen carried out its first issue of sustainability linked debentures, linked to ESG targets, which raised R$ 1.2 billion and Rumo made important advance in the risk rating of ESG performance, assign it by sustainalytics, which improve it from high to medium. Lastly, I want to invite you all again, to participate in our Cosan Day on May 26, which will be live streaming with simultaneous translation. And that concludes my presentation. And we are all available to clarify your questions. Thank you.