MEXICO CITY, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Mexico's Cemex

posted a net profit in the fourth quarter on

Thursday, as price hikes helped offset a drop in sales, while

the cement maker also rolled out a savings program aimed at

delivering a $350 million earnings boost by 2027.

Cemex's net profit in the quarter reached $48.31 million,

but missed the estimate of $91.29 million from analysts polled

by LSEG, as sales were down 5% year-on-year at $3.81 billion.

The cement and concrete maker's volumes were down in nearly

all sectors, with Cemex citing lower demand in its key markets,

Mexico and the United States.

Volumes in Mexico dropped following the country's mid-year

elections, Cemex said. In the U.S., operations were hit by a

series of hurricanes and a freeze in Texas, which dinged its

core earnings by some $38 million, according to the company.

Cemex said it is optimistic about this year's volumes in the

U.S. on infrastructure and manufacturing projects, while Mexico

will likely continue to face headwinds in the first half.

In a statement accompanying its earnings report, Cemex

announced the launch of a cost-cutting program designed to add

$350 million to its core earnings by 2027.

The company plans to achieve this by streamlining

operations, improving efficiency and leveraging digital

technology, although it did not provide further details.

The program is expected to contribute $150 million to

earnings this year, with further increases thereafter, while

also delivering savings to the free cash flow line, according to

the company.

Starting this year, Cemex will invest in "growth through

small- to medium-sized acquisitions, primarily in the U.S.,

additional deleveraging and building further on (its)

shareholder return programs," CEO Fernando Gonzalez said.

Cemex has exited a number of non-core businesses to shift

its focus toward the U.S. market. Last year, it sold off its

operations in the Philippines, Guatemala and the Dominican

Republic.