Best-managed LATAM companies 2007: A Latin leap forward

Latin America's best managed companies results tables
Methodology

AMONG THE LATIN American companies active globally are the ever-disciplined Mexico-based Cemex, the world’s third-largest cement maker; and Brazilian iron ore producer CVRD. However, these are just the biggest of a growing bunch. "Brazilian industry is putting on a show around the world," says Alvaro Novis, chief financial officer at Brazilian engineering and construction group Odebrecht.

Last year, acquisitions by Latin American companies were worth $95.6 billion, made up of 458 deals, compared with 304 in 2005 worth $25.3 billion, according to Dealogic. So far this year, the region’s companies have made $1.5 billion-worth of acquisitions, with a strong pipeline of deals predicted for 2007. And in a market with huge potential, innovative niche players such as Chilean retailer La Polar, Brazilian miner MMX and Panamanian airline Copa are also thriving. Consolidation in areas ranging from banking to telecoms is the order of the day, as more companies tap local capital markets to expand. Indeed, IPOs in Latin America raised $10.2 billion last year, more than double the 2005 level, according to Dealogic. The number of IPOs rose to 34 from 20 in 2005 and 11 in 2004. This year there have already been four IPOs, more than in the whole of 2003. Investors like this buoyancy. Shares in Latin American companies notched up a fourth straight year of double-digit rises in 2006, their longest winning streak in at least two decades.