Grupo Mexico profits to increase 20-fold

A poll of market analysts by Reuters, projects that Grupo Mexico's profits for 1st quarter of 2010 will be almost 20 times their profit from a year ago; up from $19 million to $383 million.  The dramatic increase is attributed to the company's acquisition of Asarco and the large rise in copper prices.  [right, Asarco's Mission mine, Arizona. Credit, Asarco]

 From Reuters:

        JAN-MARCH     JAN-MARCH       PERCENTAGE

                    2010          2009            CHANGE
-------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue             $1.811 bln     $824 mln       + 120  pct
EBITDA*             $  926 mln     $277 mln       + 234  pct
Net profit          $  383 mln     $ 19 mln      +1,916  pct