TOP NEWS: CRH Posts Robust Third-Quarter And Expects Earnings Growth

(Alliance News) - CRH PLC said Monday it delivered a robust performance in a challenging trading ...

Alliance News 24 November, 2020 | 9:15AM
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(Alliance News) - CRH PLC said Monday it delivered a robust performance in a challenging trading environment in the third quarter, and expects earnings to grow in 2020.

Shares in the Dublin-based building materials group were 1.0% higher in London on Tuesday morning at 2,977.00 pence each.

For the nine months to September 30, like-for-like sales were down 3% to USD20.6 billion, but earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation rose 2% to USD3.4 billion, with an Ebitda margin up one percentage point at 16.6%.

For the third quarter alone, like-for-like sales also fell 3%, but Ebitda was up 3%.

Third-quarter sales in the firm's Materials business in the Americas down 7% and European sales down 2%. CRH's Building Products unit partially offset this in the third quarter, growing 4%. Ebitda was up 3%, 2% and 5% in the three units respectively in the quarter.

CRH said its Building Products unit benefited from strong residential repair and maintenance & improvement demand, particular in North America. The poor performance from the Materials unit in the Americas was blamed on unfavourable weather conditions.

Looking ahead, CRH expects full-year earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation to be "in excess" of USD4.4 billion for 2020. CRH posted Ebitda of USD4.0 billion in 2019, suggesting a 10% improvement.

CRH also expects annual pretax profit to be ahead of the USD2.2 billion figure posted in 2019. For now, there is limited visibility into 2021, however, the longer-term prospects for CRH remain positive, the company added.

"Markets continue to be impacted by the global pandemic and while we have seen some lower activity levels, I am pleased to report further improvement in trading performance, with an advance in both profitability and margins. The outlook for the coming months remains uncertain and visibility is limited, however, I am confident that we are well-positioned for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," Chief Executive Albert Manifold said.

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
CRH PLC 6,278.00 GBX 1.13

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