Market Capitalization of Grupo Salinas Companies Exceeds US$10 Billion in 2007

Market Capitalization of Grupo Salinas Companies Exceeds US$10 Billion in 2007

Increased International Expansion Off to a Strong Start in Grupo Elektra and Banco Azteca in 2008

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grupo Salinas, a group of dynamic, fast growing and technologically advanced companies deeply committed to the modernization of the countries in which they operate, stated today that the aggregate market capitalization of its publicly traded companies -- Grupo Elektra, Grupo Iusacell and TV Azteca -- exceeded US$10 billion at the close of 2007, reflecting stronger fundamentals and solid growth prospects.

Grupo Elektra, Latin America's leading specialty retailer and financial services company, and the largest business within Grupo Salinas in terms of revenue and EBITDA, accounted for approximately 70% of the overall market capitalization of the companies of Grupo Salinas, after more than doubling its stock price in 2007.

Grupo Elektra's operating performance was notable during the year. Revenue well outpaced the Mexican economy, while the company also enhanced its solid geographic expansion in Mexico and in Latin America.

The Company began offering consumer goods on credit to the growing middle class of Argentina, and launched Banco Azteca in Honduras, as well as Guatemala, with national coverage starting day one. The increased operations included a stronger presence in Mexico, Peru, Panama and El Salvador, which make a total of 1,800 points of sale in seven Latin American countries. Grupo Elektra and Banco Azteca also announced the launch of commercial and banking operations in Brazil, to take place early this year.

Grupo Elektra will commercialize technologically advanced cars for the Mexican mass market -- its target segment -- in the first quarter of 2008 and announced the construction of a plant with the capacity to produce 100,000 automobiles per year in Mexico in 2010 for domestic and export markets.

In the telecommunications sector, Grupo Iusacell, a wireless telephony provider that offers third generation services in Mexico, merged with Unefon to become the country's only CDMA provider. As a result of the consolidation, Grupo Iusacell's coverage grew 80% in the year, the company built an increasingly strong market positioning and generated superior economies of scale and synergies.

A growing number of Grupo Iusacell subscribers currently access the only 3G mobile broadband service in Mexico, use unique multimedia applications and enter into the four million Grupo Iusacell users community that can access unparalleled pricing conditions. The superior technology and commercial plans have generated a steady double-digit top line growth, sustained EBITDA margin expansion and created solid financial expectations for 2008.

Regarding the broadcast television market, TV Azteca -- one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world -- built solid fundamentals for 2008 and reached a record high 41% share of the commercial audience during the full day in 2007, primarily boosted by an outstanding 43% prime time share.

The company's revenue was positively complemented with the top line expansion of Azteca America -- the fastest-growing broadcast network focusing on Hispanics in the United States -- which continued growing above the overall U.S. Hispanic market, and builds a strong brand for future expansion.

Positive results did not stop with financial gains. Grupo Salinas mobilized efforts through Fundacion Azteca, Fundacion Azteca America and member companies to aid communities in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas affected by flooding. Fundacion Azteca and Fundacion Azteca America combined forces with a bi-national donation drive to benefit Gray Whale habitats in Baja California, and Fundacion Azteca America signed a landmark agreement with the National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM, the most important university in Latin America, to offer comprehensive education programs to U.S. Hispanics. Grupo Salinas looks forward to continue sharing good news in 2008.

Company Profile

Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to build the middle class of the countries in which they operate, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas, Grupo Salinas operates a as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies, TV Azteca (www.irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx) and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

Press Contact

Tristan Canales
Corporate Communications
(5255) 1720-1441
tcanales@gruposalinas.com.mx

Daniel McCosh
International Communications
(5255) 1720-0059
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com.mx

Source: Grupo Salinas

CONTACT: Tristan Canales, Corporate Communications, +011-5255-1720-1441,
tcanales@gruposalinas.com.mx, or Daniel McCosh, International Communications,
+011-5255-1720-0059, dmccosh@gruposalinas.com.mx, both of Grupo Salinas

Web site:

http://www.gruposalinas.com/
http://www.irtvazteca.com/
http://www.aztecaamerica.com/
http://www.grupoelektra.com.mx/
http://www.bancoazteca.com.mx/
http://www.aforeazteca.com.mx/
http://www.segurosazteca.com.mx/
http://www.iusacell.com/

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