Mexico’s fourth-largest financial institution, Banorte, has announced net profits of $121.4 million in the third quarter of this year, 140% up on the same period last year and above analysts’ expectations. The results are equivalent to earnings per share of 2.63 pesos, compared with 1.09 pesos for the third quarter of 2004.
Category: Regions
HSBC Mexico Earnings Rise 40%
HSBC Mexico has reported a 40% year-on-year rise in its net profits for the first nine months of the year. The net profits of $327.7 million exceeded expectations. HSBC Mexico, an affiliate of UK bank HSBC, is Mexico’s fifth-largest financial institution.
BBVA Banco Continental Peru Profits Up 103%
Peru’s second-largest bank, BBVA Banco Continental, has announced a profits increase of 103% for the third quarter of 2005, compared with the same period last year. Profits of $39 million in the third quarter take accumulated earnings for the first nine months of the year to $95.2 million.
Colombia Majority Support Uribe Reelection Bid
A recent poll commissioned by various local media in Colombia show that 68% of people in the country support the decision of the Constitutional Court to allow President Alvaro Uribe to stand for reelection next year.
Peru Prepares Sale Of New Telecoms License
Peru is preparing to sell a fifth cell phone license to increase competition in the sector. Nextel Perú and Millicom International of the US are both reported to be interested in bidding. The most recent entrant to the Peruvian telecoms market was América Móvil, one of Latin America’s largest telecoms companies, when it bought the local operations of Italy’s Telecom Italia in August beating off rival Spanish Telefónica Móviles.
Pemex Issues 10 Billion Pesos Local Bonds
State-owned oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) has issued 10- and six-year bonds worth 10 billion pesos ($920 million) in the local market. The 10-year issue offered a rate of 9.31%, or 45 basis points above 10-year government bonds. The six-year bond offered a variable rate of 35 basis points above three-month Cetes. The issue was three times oversubscribed.
Public Share Offer For Bavaria Shares
SABMiller, the London-based beermaker that now owns 71.8% of Colombia’s largest brewer Bavaria, is to made a public offer for shares on 5 December to minority shareholders as part of its takeover plan. It will offer shareholders $19.48 per share.
Ecuador Selects Deutsche Bank And JP Morgan To Advise
Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan have been selected to advise the Government of Ecuador when it returns to the international capital markets with its forthcoming issue of $500 million in external debt bonds. The consortium formed by the two banks beat off competition from Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Commerz Bank following the announcement of the Finance Ministry on 2 October inviting bids from interested banks.
El Fénix Gets Backing
Mexican companies agreed to support a scaled back version of the government’s controversial El Fénix petrochemical project. The project is now budgeted at $800 million, two-thirds less than before. Private investors will take at least 51% in El Fénix, but feedstock prices are still under negotiation with the government. The complex was originally expected to cost $2.5 billion.
Colombian Brokers In Panama
Colombian brokerage company Suvalor has been granted a license by Panama’s Securities Commission to operate in the local market. Suvalor is the second Colombian brokerage to be allowed to enter the Panamanian market – Interbolsa received the green light in September and began operations last week.
