Holcim ran at full speed in the 1st quarter

Holcim earned over the first three months of the year a turnover of 6.44 billion francs, up 11.4% on a like-for-like basis.

Operating profitability increased more than proportionally, the recurring surplus (Ebit) expanding by more than 16% to 614 million, details the interim report delivered on Friday.

The Zug building materials juggernaut thus derails the most optimistic forecasts of the consensus concocted by AWP, which capped revenues at 6.29 billion and Ebit at 475 million.

While all regions contributed to the revenue increase, Asia-Pacific paled in comparison with adjusted growth of 2%. Latin America shows an increase of 12% when the performances on the Old Continent, in North America or even in the Middle East and in Africa approach, or even reach, 17%.

Annual forecasts raised

Performance was driven in particular by roofing activities, whose recurring Ebit jumped 17% thanks to the integration in March of the American Malarkey Roofing Products.

The management is raising its ambitions for the entire financial year, now forecasting generalized growth of around 8% on a like-for-like basis, once morest 6% previously.

The increase in sales must even reach 10% in francs and bring the turnover beyond 5 billion. The Solutions and Products unit will have to increase its contribution by more than 10%.

The multinational hopes to generate a free cash flow of more than 3 billion.

/ATS