Release Date: August 20, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

• Cia Energetica DE Minas Gerais - Cemig (NYSE:CIG) reported consistent results, with operating cash generation reaching BRL1.9 billion.

• The company is recognized as one of the main dividend-paying companies, with extraordinary dividends enhancing shareholder value.

• Cemig successfully doubled its transmission base to BRL2.6 billion, indicating strong growth in its infrastructure investments.

• The company's investment program is on track, with plans to invest close to BRL6 billion in 2024, a significant increase from previous years.

• Cemig's EBITDA for the second quarter was almost 30% higher than the previous year, showcasing strong financial performance.

Negative Points

• Cemig faces ongoing legal challenges, including a lawsuit involving a trading company and a large client, which could impact future financial results.

• The company's debt profile is close to one-time EBITDA, necessitating constant sourcing of funds from the market.

• Despite positive results, the trading company's performance was lower than the exceptional results of the previous year.

• The gas business experienced a 7.1% decline in results due to reduced consumption by a major industrial customer.

• Cemig's operating expenses, excluding the voluntary dismissal program, increased by 1.7% year-over-year, highlighting cost management challenges.

Q & A Highlights

• Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with CIG.

Q: Can you elaborate on the impact of non-recurring events on Cemig's financial results this quarter? A: Leonardo Magalhaes, CFO, explained that non-recurring positive events have significantly contributed to cash generation and risk reduction. These events stem from management actions that have improved the company's base for dividend payments. For instance, the company reverted BRL400 million related to net profit due to fiscal gains from a lawsuit, and the voluntary dismissal program also contributed to cost savings.

Q: How has the tariff review affected Cemig's transmission investments? A: The tariff review was highlighted as a positive development by Leonardo Magalhaes. It doubled Cemig's transmission base to BRL2.6 billion, allowing for reconciliation of cash flows and investments. This review is expected to generate attractive returns for shareholders and enhance the company's investment capacity at a low cost.

Q: What are Cemig's investment plans for the year, and how do they compare to previous years? A: Cemig plans to invest close to BRL6 billion in 2024, a significant increase from BRL1 billion in 2018 and 40% higher than last year. The investments focus on transmission, distributed generation, and gas, with some generation investments potentially shifting to 2025. The company is confident in meeting its investment targets.

Q: How is Cemig addressing operating costs and efficiency? A: Operating costs, excluding the voluntary dismissal program, increased by only 1.7% year-over-year, which is below inflation. The company is focused on improving service quality while maintaining disciplined cost growth. Efforts to reduce regulatory compensations and improve operational efficiency are ongoing.

Q: What is the outlook for Cemig's trading company and its performance compared to last year? A: Although last year was exceptional due to favorable market conditions, the trading company continues to perform well. Cemig's trading margins remain higher than competitors due to its dual role as a trading and generating company. The company expects positive results from the trading segment, albeit not as high as the previous year.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.