CZZ

Brazil Cosan says stronger dollar raising revenues

Thu Oct 9, 2008 10:13am EDT

SAO PAULO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The real's sharp fall against the U.S. dollar is expected to boost revenue in the current fiscal year for Cosan SA, one of Brazil's top sugar and ethanol producing groups, the company said on Thursday.

Cosan (CSAN3.SA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said total net operating revenue should climb by more than 30 percent in the May/April fiscal year over the previous year. It had previously expected a revenue rise of between 15 and 30 percent.

But it maintained its expectation of a 30 percent rise in its net loss from last year's 48 million reais due to the impact of the real's fall on the principal of the dollar-denominated long-term debt.

"In general, the new guidance underlines the strong impact of the exchange rate on Cosan's results, especially its export revenue," the company said in a statement.

For exporters, a stronger dollar means more gains when sales abroad are converted to the local currency.

Triggered by the global financial crisis, the local currency, real BRBY, has dropped nearly 30 percent against the U.S. dollar since the beginning of August.

Cosan raised its estimate for the year-end exchange rate to more than 30 percent over April 30, 2008, compared with a previously expected rise of up to 5 percent.

Sugar prices in reais are now forecast to rise more than 30 percent over last season, compared with 5 to 15 percent expected previously. Ethanol prices could increase 15 to 30 percent, said Cosan, which expected them to rise not more than 15 percent.

Most of Cosan's sugar production is sold abroad, while most ethanol sales are in the domestic market.

Cosan also reduced its guidance on operating capital expenditure -- investment in long-term assets -- to an increase of 5 to 15 percent. Previously, it expected its capex to rise 15 to 30 percent.

"(We are) reprioritizing our investments in order to preserve the group's planned liquidity level in light of the global financial crisis," it said in the statement.

The company has announced plans to build greenfield units, expand existing plants, and invest in cogeneration and logistics. It aims to more than double crushing capacity to up to 100 million tonnes from 40 million tonnes now. (Reporting by Inae Riveras; editing by Jim Marshall)

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