— Firm dynamism in merchandise sales generates a 10% increase in commercial revenue, to Ps.17,036 million —— Operating profit grows 8% in the period, to Ps.4,067 million —— Increasing quality of Banco Azteca México's portfolio; delinquency rate drops to 3.7%, from 4.9% a year ago — MEXICO CITY, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Elektra, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV:ELEKTRA), Latin America's leading specialty retailer and financial services company, and the largest non-bank provider of cash advance services in the United States, today announced first quarter 2024 results. First quarter results Consolidated revenue grew 6%, to Ps.44,562 million in the period, compared to Ps.42,219 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Operating costs and expenses increased 6%, to Ps.38,199 million, from Ps.36,062 million in 2023. As a result, EBITDA was Ps.6,363 million, 3% higher compared to Ps.6,158 million a year ago. Operating income was Ps.4,067 million, 8% above Ps.3,767 million in the same period of 2023. The company reported net income of Ps.1,721 million, compared to net income of Ps.459 million a year ago.    1Q 2023    1Q 2024    Change Ps. % Consolidated revenue $42,219 $44,562 $2,343 6 % EBITDA       $6,158 $6,363 $205 3 % Operating result $3,767 $4,067 $300 8 % Net result       $459 $1,721 $1,262 ----- Net result per share $2.07 $7.80 $5.73 ----- Figures in millions of pesosEBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.        As of March 31, 2024, Elektra* outstanding shares were 220.7 million and as of March 31, 2023, were 221.4 million. Revenue Consolidated revenue increased 6% during the period, attributable to a 10% growth in commercial sales and a 3% increase in financial income. The increase in financial income — to Ps.27,526 million, from Ps.26,699 million the previous year — reflects a 3% growth in Banco Azteca México's income. This growth aligns with the ongoing expansion of the gross credit portfolio, contributing to the wellbeing of millions of families and fostering business development. The increase in income from the commercial business, to Ps.17,036 million, from Ps.15,520 million a year ago, results largely from growth in motorcycle sales — which strengthen business productivity and the mobility of millions of people — telephony — which facilitates efficient connectivity for more and more users — and household appliances, which boost the quality of life of a growing number of families. Costs and expenses Consolidated costs for the quarter were Ps.21,534 million, compared to Ps.19,904 million the previous year. This growth is attributed to a 6% increase in the financial cost, resulting from higher interest paid, as well as a 10% rise in the commercial cost, in line with the increase in revenue from the commercial business. Sales, administration, and promotion expenses grew 3%, to Ps.16,665 million, from Ps.16,158 million a year ago, largely as a result of higher advertising expenses. The lower growth in expenses in relation to income for the period results from solid strategies that drive Grupo Elektra's operational efficiency, together with strict budgets and optimization of processes throughout the organization. EBITDA and net result EBITDA was Ps.6,363 million, from Ps.6,158 million the previous year. The company reported operating income of Ps.4,067 million, compared to Ps.3,767 million in the same quarter of 2023. Below EBITDA, a positive variation of Ps.1,867 million was recorded in other financial results, which reflects a 2% loss this quarter in the market value of the underlying financial instruments that the company owns — and which does not imply cash flow — compared to a 7% loss a year ago. Grupo Elektra reported net income of Ps.1,721 million, from a net income of Ps.459 million a year ago. Unconsolidated balance sheet A proforma balance sheet exercise of Grupo Elektra is presented, which allows knowing the non-consolidated financial situation, excluding the net assets of the financial business, whose investment is valued in this case under the participation method. This presentation shows the debt of the company without considering Banco Azteca's immediate and term deposits, which do not constitute debt with cost for Grupo Elektra. Also, the pro forma balance sheet does not include the bank's gross loan portfolio. This provides greater clarity about the different businesses that make up the company and allows financial market participants to make estimates of the value of the company, considering only the relevant debt for said calculations. Consistent with this, debt with cost as of March 31, 2024, was Ps.38,568 million, compared to Ps.39,026 million the previous year. The reduction is primarily attributed to international bond amortizations, partially offset by issuance of Cebures and a bank loan. The balance of cash and cash equivalents was Ps.12,267 million, from Ps.10,078 million the previous year. Net debt was Ps.26,301 million, 9% below Ps.28,948 million a year ago. As of March 31, 2024, the company's equity was Ps.92,214 million, and the equity to total liabilities ratio was 1.07 times. As of March 31    2023 As of March 31    2024 Change Ps. % Cash and cash equivalents $10,078 $12,267 2,189 22 % Marketable financial instruments 28,059 25,717 (2,342) (8 %) Inventories 17,663 17,470 (194) (1 %) Accounts receivables 43,350 52,012 8,661 20 % Other current assets 5,083 3,857 (1,227) (24 %) Investments in shares 39,692 41,575 1,883 5 % Fixed assets 10,037 8,801 (1,236) (12 %) Right of use assets 12,848 12,056 (792) (6 %) Other assets 3,619 4,545 926 26 % Total assets $170,429 $178,299 $7,870 5 % Short-term debt $9,386 $10,354 967 10 % Suppliers 8,016 11,340 3,325 41 % Other short-term liabilities 17,934 20,235 2,301 13 % Long-term debt 29,640 28,214 (1,426) (5 %) Differed taxes 1,756 935 (821) (47 %) Other long-term debt 14,662 15,007 345 2 % Total liabilities $81,393 $86,085 $4,692 6 % Stakeholder´s equity $89,036 $92,214 $3,178 4 % Liabilities and equity $170,429 $178,299 $7,870 5 % Figures in millions of pesos Consolidated Balance Sheet Loan Portfolio and Deposits The consolidated gross portfolio of Banco Azteca México, Purpose Financial and Banco Azteca Latinoamérica as of March 31, 2024, grew 5%, to Ps.174,484 million, from Ps.165,666 million the previous year. The consolidated delinquency rate was 4.2% at the end of the period, compared to 5.7% the previous year. Banco Azteca México's gross portfolio balance increased 5% to Ps.169,099 million, from Ps.160,451 million a year ago. The Bank's delinquency rate at the end of the period was 3.7%, compared to 4.9% the previous year. Grupo Elektra's consolidated deposits were Ps.216,897 million, from Ps.216,631 million a year ago. Banco Azteca México's traditional deposits were Ps.214,793 million, compared to Ps.215,332 million the previous year. The ratio of traditional deposits to gross portfolio of Banco Azteca México was 1.27 times, which allows solid growth of the Bank, with optimal funding costs. The Bank's estimated liquidity coverage ratio at the end of the quarter — countable liquid assets / total net cash outflow — was 902%, an outstanding figure in the Mexican banking sector. The capitalization ratio of Banco Azteca México was 14.94%. Infrastructure  Grupo Elektra presently operates 6,170 contact points, a decrease from 6,307 units the previous year. This reduction is the result of strategies aimed at maximizing the profitability of the company's contact points. In the United States, 83 Purpose Financial units were closed, and in Mexico, the net closure was 69 contact points. However, this decrease was partially offset by the opening of 15 units in Central America. At the end of the period, Grupo Elektra had 4,912 contact points in Mexico, 834 in the US, and 424 in Central America. This extensive distribution network ensures proximity to customers and fosters close attention, contributing to the company's superior market positioning in the countries it operates in. Company Profile: Grupo Elektra is Latin America's leading financial services company and specialty retailer and the largest non-bank provider of cash advance services in the United States.  The group operates more than 6,000 points of contact in Mexico, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama. Grupo Elektra is a Grupo Salinas company (www.gruposalinas.com), a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating economic value through market innovation and goods and services that improve standards of living; social value to improve community well-being; and environmental value by reducing the negative impact of its business activities. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. These companies include TV Azteca (www.TVazteca.com; www.irtvazteca.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Purpose Financial (havepurpose.com), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), Punto Casa de Bolsa (www.puntocasadebolsa.mx), Total Play (irtotalplay.mx; www.totalplay.com.mx) and Total Play Empresarial (totalplayempresarial.com.mx). TV Azteca and Grupo Elektra trade shares on the Mexican Stock Market and in Spain's' Latibex market. Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. The group of companies shares a common vision, values, and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results, and world-class performance. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are concepts about the future that involve risks and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Other risks that may affect Grupo Elektra and its subsidiaries are presented in documents sent to the securities authorities. Investor Relations: Bruno Rangel Grupo Salinas Tel. +52 (55) 1720-9167 Rolando Villarreal Grupo Elektra, S.A.B. de C.V. Tel. +52 (55) 1720-9167 Press Relations: Luciano PascoeTel. +52 (55) 1720 1313 ext.       GRUPO ELEKTRA, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS MILLIONS OF MEXICAN PESOS 1Q23 1Q24 Change Financial income 26,699 63 % 27,526 62 % 827 3 % Commercial income 15,520 37 % 17,036 38 % 1,516 10 % Income 42,219 100 % 44,562 100 % 2,343 6 % Financial cost 8,808 21 % 9,380 21 % 572 6 % Commercial cost 11,095 26 % 12,154 27 % 1,059 10 % Costs 19,904 47 % 21,534 48 % 1,631 8 % Gross income 22,316 53 % 23,028 52 % 712 3 %