CEMEX Divests Investment in Cementos Bio Bio, S.A.

    Business Editors

    MONTERREY, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2005--CEMEX, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) announced today that it has divested its 11.92% interest in Cementos Bio Bio, S.A. a cement company in Chile for approximately US$65 million or an implied enterprise value to EBITDA of nine times. The proceeds from the sale will be applied towards debt reduction and the extraordinary gains from this transaction will be reflected in net income. CEMEX acquired this holding for US$34 million in June 1999.
    Rodrigo Trevino, Chief Financial Officer, said: "This transaction is consistent with our objective to take all the necessary actions to deliver on our de-levering commitment. As such, we intend to apply as much of our free cash flow from operations and asset disposals as needed towards debt reduction in order to achieve our target of 2.7 times net debt to EBITDA by the end of the year or sooner. The disposal of this non-operating asset will not hinder our future growth and it will not have an impact in our full year consolidated revenues or EBITDA."
    CEMEX is a growing global building solutions company that provides products of consistently high quality and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The company improves the well-being of those it serves through its relentless focus on continuous improvement and efforts to promote a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.cemex.com.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of CEMEX to be materially different from those expressed or implied in this release, including, among others, changes in general economic, political, governmental and business conditions globally and in the countries in which CEMEX does business, changes in interest rates, changes in inflation rates, changes in exchange rates, the level of construction generally, changes in cement demand and prices, changes in raw material and energy prices, changes in business strategy and various other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. CEMEX assumes no obligation to update or correct the information contained in this press release.

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CONTACT: CEMEX Media Relations Jorge Perez, (52 81) 8888-4334 or Investor Relations Abraham Rodriguez, (52 81) 8888-4262 or Analyst Relations Ricardo Sales, 212-317-6008

KEYWORD: NEW YORK MEXICO INTERNATIONAL LATIN AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: REAL ESTATE BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION SOURCE: CEMEX

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