HispanicBusiness

Net sales of other products and services decreased 1% to US$630.7 million in the first nine months of 2012, compared to US$635.8 million in the first nine months of 2011, mainly due to lower sales of industrial equipment in Brazil and coiled tubing, almost offset by higher sales of sucker rods.

Operating income from other products and services decreased 14% to US$91.0 million in the first nine months of 2012, compared to US$106.5 million during the first nine months of 2011, reflecting lower sales and operating margins.

SG&A amounted to 17.2% of net sales during the first nine months of 2012, compared to 19.2% in the same period of 2011.

Net interest expenses amounted to US$16.2 million in the first nine months of 2012 compared to US$19.6 million in the same period of 2011.

Other financial results amounted to a loss of US$18.5 million during the first nine months of 2012, compared to a gain of US$16.7 million during the first nine months of 2011. These results largely reflect gains and losses on net foreign exchange transactions and the fair value of derivative instruments and are partially offset by changes to our net equity position. These gains and losses are mainly attributable to variations in the exchange rates between our subsidiaries' functional currencies (other than the US dollar) and the US dollar, in accordance with IFRS.

Equity in earnings of associated companies generated a gain of US$44.6 million in the first nine months of 2012, compared to a gain of US$48.5 million in the first nine months of 2011. These gains were derived mainly from our equity investment in Ternium.

Income tax charges totaled US$429.5 million in the first nine months of 2012, equivalent to 25% of income before equity in earnings of associated companies and income tax, compared to US$358.1 million in the first nine months of 2011, equivalent to 27% of income before equity in earnings of associated companies and income tax.

Income attributable to non-controlling interests declined to US$9.7 million in the first nine months of 2012, compared to US$62.8 million in the first nine months of 2011, as in the second quarter of 2012, we acquired all the non-controlling interests in Confab.

Cash Flow and Liquidity of 2012 First Nine Months

During the first nine months of 2012, net cash provided by operations was US$1,513.8 million, compared to US$827.1 million in the same period of 2011. Working capital increased by US$55.7 million in the first nine months of 2012, compared with an increase of US$492.6 million in the first nine months of 2011.

Capital expenditures amounted to US$587.9 million in the first nine months of 2012, compared with US$673.9 million in the same period of 2011.

Following our investments in Brazil during the first half of the year, amounting to US$1.3 billion (US$504.6 million in Usiminas and US$758.5 million in Confab) and the payment of a dividend of US$295.1 million, our financial position at September 30, 2012, amounted to a net debt position (total borrowings less cash and other current investments) of US$265.8 million, compared with a net cash position of US$323.6 million at December 31, 2011.

Some of the statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. These risks include but are not limited to risks arising from uncertainties as to future oil and gas prices and their impact on investment programs by oil and gas companies.