The Group’s April-June 2017 operating EBITDA adjusted increased 10.1% on a like-for-like basis, driven by pricing, cost discipline and synergies. Group like-for-like sales were up 3.6% in the quarter, and recurring income increased to CHF 700 million.
In a statement , LafargeHolcim Group says it will deliver sustainable, profitable growth in 2017 through continued strong focus on synergies, structural cost savings, commercial differentiation of its products and building solutions and Capex discipline. This will be particularly supported by the contribution of several markets such as the US, India, Nigeria and some countries in Europe. Based on the first half market development, the Group now forecast demand in its key markets to increase by between 1 to 3%.
The latest healthy trading figures and 2017 market growth projection will please incoming LafargeHolcim Group CEO Jan Jenisch, who takes up his post on September 1, 2017.
Beat Hess, LafargeHolcim chairman and interim CEO said: “LafargeHolcim delivered positive earnings growth for the fifth consecutive quarter supported by favourable pricing, cost discipline and synergies.
“The unique strengths of our balanced portfolio are once again evident in our results with key countries such as the US, India, Nigeria and, notably this quarter, Mexico making significant contributions to earnings, more than offsetting headwinds in some of our markets. On that basis, and with our performance to date, we remain confident that we will achieve our full year guidance and our 2018 targets.
“In addition, our continued efforts to transform our commercial capability and improve our cost base put us in a strong position to fully capitalise on market growth.”
