TRENDS.(EL ECONOMISTA p.7)

GRUMA. The corn flour producer’s shares closed the first quarter of the year with a profit of 14.34%.

ANALYSTS MAINTAIN POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR GRUMA SHARES (EL ECONOMISTA 5)

Gruma, the world’s leading corn flour producer, could achieve a target price of MXN 310 per share by the end of the year. Its share price is currently MXN 279.12, and would thus require growth of 11.06% if it is to reach this target, according to estimates from Banco Santander. The bank underlined that the increase in Gruma’s target share price can be explained by the larger operating margins forecast for the coming quarters, and the increased cash flows expected from its U.S. operations.

CAPTAINS (REFORMA 3)(EL NORTE (ONLINE) 0)

Building bridges with USA. The initiative presented by Gruma, the company led by Juan González-Moreno, comes just in time for encouraging bridges to be built, rather than walls. As the presidential campaign heats up in the United States, it isn’t hard to find people on the other side of the border who regard the country’s relationship with Mexico more negatively than positively, and the stances taken by aspiring Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. That is why it is relevant that tonight is when an agreement will be signed that brings into being The Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center at a meeting held at the Southern Methodist University (SMU)... This will be the first center to conduct research into Mexico’s traditionally close relationship with the “Lone Star State”, a relationship that would be damaged if Trump’s idea of building a border wall were to prosper...

GRUMA SEEKS TO BOOST BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES (EL NORTE (ONLINE) 0) (REFORMA)(LA JORNADA 25)(EXCÉLSIOR 2)(EL SOL DE MÉXICO 6)(EL ECONOMISTA 28)(LA CRÓNICA DE HOY 24)(EL FINANCIERO 16)

Grupo Maseca (Gruma) has announced that it will contribute USD 4 million to the creation of The Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center, which will carry out research programs aimed at gaining a better understanding of the relationship between Mexico and the United States. The foundation of the Center was confirmed in an agreement signed by Juan González-Moreno, Chairman and CEO of Gruma, and Gerald Turner, President of the Dallas-based Southern Methodist University (SMU). “With this initiative we wish to make clear our commitment to working together, which is the best way to find solutions to common challenges, and the best way of creating more and better opportunities for individuals and companies in order to progress", said González-Moreno.

ALICIA SALGADO / CURRENT ACCOUNT (EXCÉLSIOR 5)

The change of narrative in the relationship between Mexico and the United States is for real, as Mexico uses the Trump Effect to its own advantage. With the financial backing of Gruma Mission Foods, a subsidiary of Gruma, led by Juan González-Moreno, the Research Center for Texas-Mexico Relations has been set up at the Southern Methodist University. Indeed, just yesterday, Claudia Ruiz-Massieu, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, alongside Paulo Carreño, Junior Secretary for North American Affairs, utilized the ribbon cutting ceremony to launch a region by region diplomatic strategy through the United States...

JESÚS RANGEL M / TUG OF WAR (MILENIO DIARIO 28)(MILENIO DIARIO DE MONTERREY 0)

The Mexican government is not alone in its policy of relaunching its relationship with the United States, and now Juan González-Moreno, Chairman and CEO of Gruma, has joined forces with Gerald Turner, President of the Dallas-based Southern Methodist University, to create The Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center, an research institute body that will study, further and enhance relations between Mexico on the one hand, and Texas and the United States on the other, through research, annual conferences and public forums. “Working together in good faith is the best way to find solutions to common challenges", said González-Moreno. Claudia Ruiz-Massieu, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, witnessed the signing...

THE MISSION FOODS TEXAS-MEXICO CENTER TO BE FOUNDED. (MILENIO NOTICIAS (8 AM - 12 PM))

Samuel Cuervo, presenter: Juan González Moreno, Chairman and CEO of Grupo Maseca, and Gerald Turner, President of the Dallas-based Southern Methodist University, signed an agreement to found The Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center. The aim of the center is to study, further and and enhance relations between Mexico on the one hand, and Texas and the United States on the other, via research, annual conferences and public forums. The center will make public policy recommendations and promote constructive debate and research in order to improve strategic relations between Mexico, Texas and the United States.

TRENDS.(EL ECONOMISTA p.7) GRUMA.

Gruma, the world’s leading corn flour producer, is set to achieve a target price of MXN 310 per share by the end of the year. Its share price is currently MXN 278.46, and would thus require a share increase of 11.2% for this target to be met

POSITIVE STOCK MARKET RESULTS EXPECTED.(EL ECONOMISTA 1-8-9) following from front page - Financial Thermometer.

Just a week to go before the Q116 reporting season begins for companies listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange, and results are expected to be positive on the whole, with an average increase in earnings of 12.05%, EBITDA growth of 6.95%, and net profits up 39%... Stock market analysts have indicated that exchange rates will be the primary factor influencing the first-quarter reports of issuers, the beneficiaries of which have been exporting companies such as Alfa, Gruma, Cemex, Bimbo, Grupo México and Peñoles.

BÁRBARA ANDERSON / NOTHING PERSONAL, ITS JUST BUSINESS(MILENIO DIARIO 30)(MILENIO DIARIO DE MONTERREY)

At a dinner in Dallas last week, Juan González-Moreno, Chairman and CEO of Gruma, gave a short speech that he ended with the robust phrase: “We are here today building bridges, not walls.” This seems to sum up the company’s position following a year marked by various projects, agreements, partnerships and the nearly USD 5 million that is required to inaugurate The Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center. This think tank, set up in the John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies of the Southern Methodist University, Texas, is the first of its kind. The research center will invest in public policy studies and make recommendations to improve bilateral relations between Texas and Mexico. The idea is that the center provide pragmatic and viable projects that help grow business on both sides of the border. The idea was incubated last year, when Juan González-Moreno donated a million dollars to fund research into opportunities between these partner states. 

FOLLOWING THE APPROVAL OF THE FDA, GRUMA ADDS FOLIC ACID TO CORN FLOUR IN THE UNITED STATES (LA JORNADA 23)(MILENIO DIARIO 39)(EL FINANCIERO 25)(EL SOL DE MÉXICO 7)(LA RAZÓN 19)

In a move that benefits the Mexican and Hispanic population residing in the United States, the FDA has approved the folic acid fortification of corn flour with the aim of reducing the number of babies born with neural tube defects, also known as spina bifida. This measure represents the greatest achievement in the history of Latin American food in the United States, and was achieved thanks to the joint efforts of Gruma and the following civil society organizations: Spina Bifida Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Council of la Raza and March of Dimes. Since 2012, these organizations have supported all of the research undertaken to secure the FDA’s authorization. It is worth noting the significant role played by Gruma in actively participating with this coalition of organizations to petition the FDA to authorize the addition of folic acid as a nutritional additive to corn flour. “This is a hugely important decision by the FDA, which will benefit the health of Mexican and Hispanic women and children in the United States, who will see improvements in their diet through the consumption of fortified flour products. At Gruma, we’ll be ready to offer foods fortified with folic acid by the end of Q216, once we have implemented all necessary technical changes at our plants”, said Juan González-Moreno upon hearing this decision of the U.S. government authority.

JESÚS RANGEL / TUG OF WAR(MILENIO DIARIO 30)(MILENIO DIARIO DE MONTERREY 0)

Next door... Another fantastic U.S. campaign by Gruma: the firm will fortify its corn flour with folic acid, following the authorization of the FDA, in order to reduce the number of babies born with neural tube defects, also known as spina bifida.

GRUMA DRIVES FOLIC ACID FORTIFICATION OF CORN FLOUR.  (MILENIO NOTICIAS (4 AM - 8:00 PM)) 4:20 PM and (MILENIO NOTICIAS (4 AM - 8:00 PM)) 5:21 PM. María Elena Meza:

In a move that benefits the Mexican and Hispanic populations residing in the United States, the FDA has approved the folic acid fortification of corn flour with the aim of reducing the number of babies born with neural tube defects, also known as spina bifida. This authorization was achieved through the efforts exerted by Gruma and other associations since 2012. Meanwhile, the President and CEO of Gruma, Juan González, stated that the company will continue to support and put in its best efforts and resources to offer products of the highest nutritional quality to consumers.

GRUMA DRIVES FOLIC ACID FORTIFICATION.(MILENIO NOTICIAS (8 AM - 12 PM))(MILENIO NOTICIAS (11 AM - 12 PM)) Samuel Cuervo and Claudia Ovalle:

In a move that benefits the Mexican and Hispanic population resident in the United States, the FDA has approved the folic acid fortification of corn flour with the aim of reducing the number of babies born with spinal defects. This authorization was achieved through the efforts put in by Gruma and other associations since 2012. The President and CEO of Gruma, Juan González, maintained that the company will continue to support and put in its best efforts and resources to offer products of the highest nutritional quality to consumers.

UNITED STATES DRIVES GRUMA’S RESULTS.(EL ECONOMISTA 1-10)

The popularity of corn flour tortillas in the United States, and the weakness of the Mexican peso, boosted the Q116 earnings of Gruma by 26%, to MXN 1.27 billion, while its sales increased by 17% on account of the improved performance of the majority of its subsidiaries, and “particularly Gruma USA”, underlined the company to the Mexican Stock Exchange. According to a study by Packaged Facts, U.S. consumers are purchasing more corn tortillas than hamburger buns, mainly on account of the increase in the country’s Hispanic population to over 20% of the total population, and the growth of their purchasing power. The net earnings of corn flour and tortilla producer Gruma increased by 25%, while its EBITDA was up 24%.

GRUMA’S SALES BOOST EBITDA BY 24% (REFORMA 6)(EL NORTE (ON LINE))(EL UNIVERSAL 7)(LA JORNADA 26)(EL FINANCIERO 18)(LA RAZÓN 22)(EL SOL DE MÉXICO 3)

Driven by better sales figures in the United States, Grupo Maseca (Gruma) achieved an EBITDA of MXN 2.48 billion during Q116, a figure 24% up on the same period last year.

INVESTMENTS.(MILENIO DIARIO 26)

United States drives Gruma’s tortilla sales. Gruma posted Q116 net earnings of MXN 1.32 billion this year, a figure 25% up on the same period in 2015, primarily due to the strong sales performance achieved in the United States. Meanwhile, the company’s net corn flour and tortilla sales were up 17% on the first semester of last year, to MXN 15.83 billion, mainly driven by the operations of Gruma Corporation (USA) and Grupo Industrial Maseca, its Mexican subsidiary. The company’s earnings outside of Mexico accounted for 74% of this total between January and March of this year.

THE BOSSES (EL FINANCIERO 17)

US Tortillas. Would you like a formula on how to squeeze more juice out of your product? Well, let’s take that of Juan González, who won’t allow himself to be satisfied with the achievements of Gruma in the United States. On Thursday, his group made it clear they are targeting greater efficienciy in a country that already contributes more than 50% of its total sales. Here are the two steps they will follow: 1. Reduction of products in order to focus on those which are most profitable. 2. Greater efficiency in the distribution and innovation of packaging and products. The results reported by Gruma during Q116 were largely in line with expectations, and yesterday the share price of the world’s leading corn flour producer was up 3.4% on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Having already achieved a return of 25% over the past 12 months, a survey from Bloomberg forecasts that the company’s share price will climb a further 12% to reach MXN 283. Anyone for tacos?

MAURICIO FLORES: GRUMA OBTAINS 75% OF ITS SALES FROM OUTSIDE MEXICO.  (REPORTE 98.5 (6 AM - 11 AM) )

Mauricio Flores: On Friday we mentioned the success achieved by Gruma, which obtains 75% of its sales from outside Mexico, meaning there are more people eating tortillas abroad than in Mexico. This is a praiseworthy achievement for the company founded by Roberto González-Barrera, aka “El Maseco”, who—wherever he is—is surely looking down on the achievements of his heirs with great satisfaction.

PUEBLA EXCELS (MILENIO DIARIO DE MONTERREY 0) http://www.imagenpoblana.com (PUEBLA NOTICIAS.COM.MX).

Governor Rafael Moreno-Valle met with the directors of Gruma—the company founded by the late Roberto González-Barrera (“Don Maseco”), a businessman from Cerralvo, Nuevo León—led by Juan González-Moreno, the Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors.