CRH : 2014 Interim Results

2014 INTERIM RESULTS

CRH plc, the international building materials group, issues the following Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2014.

Key Points

·    Sales revenue increased by 4%; up 7% in Europe and up 1% in the Americas. Like-for-like sales up 5%.

·    Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in line with AGM guidance;

EBITDA 27% ahead of first-half 2013 reflecting strong operating leverage.

·    Dividend per share maintained at 18.5c.

·    Portfolio review is progressing; a multi-year divestment programme of c. €1.5 - €2 billion is actively underway.

·    First-half acquisitions/investments of €130 million.

·    Incremental cost savings of €45 million to date in 2014 with full year target of €100 million on track.

·    Continued focus on cash flow - lower seasonal working capital and capital expenditure outflows.

·    Net debt of €3.7 billion, €0.5 billion lower than June 2013.

Key Figures

Albert Manifold, Chief Executive, said today:

"2014 got off to an encouraging start with favourable weather in Europe and continuing recovery in the US. We are pleased with the strong operating leverage which is reflected in margin improvement for the period. Economic indicators continue to be positive in the Americas, while in Europe we have seen some easing of trends in recent months. Assuming normal weather patterns and no major market dislocations, and with the benefit of contributions from acquisitions and cost saving measures, we continue to expect second-half Group EBITDA to be somewhat ahead of last year (H2 2013: €1.08 billion)."

Announced Tuesday, 19 August 2014

2014 INTERIM RESULTS

OVERVIEW

2014 got off to an encouraging start for the building materials sector, with favourable early-season weather in Europe and continuing recovery in the US. Trading results for the first half of 2014 reflect contrasting weather patterns between Europe and the Americas and an economic backdrop of modest, if mixed recovery across our main markets. Our European operations started the year very positively with the benefit of benign weather compared with the prolonged winter conditions in the first half of 2013.  In the Americas, against the backdrop of an improving overall economic environment, first-half trading was impacted by very severe weather conditions for the second successive year in many of our markets.

Reported sales revenue for the period of €8.3 billion was 4% ahead of 2013. On a like-for-like basis, excluding the impact of acquisitions, divestments and exchange translation, underlying sales were 5% higher than 2013;  a like-for-like increase of 6% in Europe reflected the favourable weather in the early months of the year,  while underlying sales in the Americas were 4% ahead of last year.

The first half saw a 27% increase in EBITDA to €505 million.  With this strong operating leverage on 4% sales growth,  EBITDA/sales margins improved in five of our six reporting segments.  In Europe, better volumes and capacity utilisation, together with the benefits of our profit improvement initiatives, resulted in improved margins in all three business segments.  In the Americas, the Products business was most impacted by the early weather disruptions and saw its EBITDA/sales margin decline;  this was offset by higher margins in both the Materials and Distribution businesses.  The overall Group EBITDA margin improved by 1.1 percentage points to 6.1%.

After depreciation and amortisation charges of €334 million (H1 2013: €356 million), first-half operating profit (EBIT) amounted to €171 million (H1 2013: €41 million).  No impairment charges have arisen in the period (H1 2013: nil).

First-half profit before tax of €61 million compared with a loss of €71 million in 2013. Earnings per share for the period amounted to 6.1c (H1 2013: loss per share 7.8c).

Note 2 on page 16 analyses the key components of first half 2014 performance.

DIVIDEND

The Board has decided to maintain the 2014 interim dividend at last year's level of 18.5c per share. It is proposed to pay the interim dividend on 24 October 2014 to shareholders registered at the close of business on 29 August 2014. A scrip dividend alternative will be offered to shareholders.

PORTFOLIO REVIEW

Our portfolio review is progressing well. An orderly, multi-year divestment programme, amounting to c. €1.5 billion to €2 billion, is underway for businesses which no longer meet our returns and growth criteria, or for which we believe CRH is no longer the best long-term owner. We are now focusing on our core businesses (c. 80% net assets, c. 90% EBITDA), optimising the portfolio to meet our financial objectives, and prioritising the allocation and reallocation of capital as we reset for growth and restore margins and returns to peak levels.

DEVELOPMENT

Total acquisition/investment activity in the first half of 2014 amounted to €130 million (H1 2013: €470 million) on a total of 11 transactions. These acquisitions are expected to contribute annualised sales of approximately €114 million, of which €43 million has been reflected in our Interim 2014 results.

In the Americas, the Materials Division completed four bolt-on transactions across its operations, increasing vertical integration in a number of key markets, particularly in the Central West. Our Products businesses also completed four transactions during the first half of 2014, of which the most significant was Hope Agri Products, a market-leading supplier of soils, mulches and decorative stone to large homecenter chains. The three other acquisitions in the Products segment strengthened our local market positions and should deliver good synergies as we consolidate the acquired businesses with our existing operations.

In Europe, three transactions completed by our Distribution operations strengthened our builders merchants network in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

COST REDUCTION/PROFIT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

CRH was one of the first companies in the building materials sector to commence implementation of a detailed programme, which we started in early 2007, to reduce costs and scale capacity as we adapted to changing demand patterns. This ongoing cost reduction programme continues to focus on improving the Group's cost base with incremental savings of €45 million delivered in the first half of 2014 . We remain on track to deliver €100 million for 2014 and a further €75 million in 2015 which will bring cumulative savings by end-2015 to €2.6 billion.

Costs incurred in implementing the savings amounted to €9 million (H1 2013: €20 million) in the first half, bringing the cumulative total cost of implementation of the programme to €568 million.

FINANCE

Net finance costs for the period amounted to €150 million (H1 2013: €146 million). The interim tax charge has been estimated, as in prior years, based on the current expectations of the full year tax charge. 

Net debt of €3.7 billion at 30 June 2014 was €0.5 billion lower than the figure reported at end-June 2013, reflecting the Group's strong focus on cash management and rigorous discipline with regard to capital expenditure and working capital. In line with the normal seasonal pattern of the Group's trading, which sees a significant working capital outflow in the first half of the year as the construction season gets under way, net debt increased by €0.7 billion during the six-month period.

In July 2014 the Group issued a €600 million 7-year euro bond at a coupon rate of 1.75%, the lowest coupon ever achieved by the Group in the capital markets. The Group remains in a very strong financial position with €1.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents at end-June; 97% of the Group's gross debt was term/bond debt or drawn under committed term facilities, 90% of which matures after more than one year. Undrawn committed facilities at end-June amounted to €2.6 billion. 

OUTLOOK

After the strong start in Europe we have seen an easing of trends in recent months, and while the uncertain political backdrop in Ukraine remains a cause for concern, we expect second-half performance to be broadly in line with last year. We also continue to remain focused on implementing the cost initiatives already announced.

In the Americas, against the backdrop of positive economic indicators we continue to expect an improvement in housing and non-residential construction in 2014, with infrastructure activity likely to be stable. Although the mild weather conditions in the corresponding period of 2013 make the comparatives more demanding, we expect the Americas overall to be ahead in the second half of 2014 .

Assuming normal weather patterns and no major market dislocations, and with the benefit of contributions from acquisitions and cost saving measures, we continue to expect second-half Group EBITDA to be somewhat ahead of last year (H2 2013: €1.08 billion).

EUROPE MATERIALS

Our Europe Materials operations benefited from improved underlying demand in key markets together with favourable weather compared with the first half of 2013. As a result, like-for-like sales volumes were well ahead of 2013 overall with Poland and Ukraine posting strong increases. The leverage on the increased sales together with a stable input cost environment and operational efficiencies resulted in operating profit well ahead of 2013.

Central and Eastern Europe

Our Polandactivities benefited from improving underlying demand supported by generally mild weather conditions. Our cement volumes were significantly higher benefiting from the 22% increase in industry volumes in the period; while our aggregates and concrete volumes were also higher. Although cement prices were 2% below the average for the first half of last year, overall margin and operating profit were significantly higher.

Ukrainebenefited from the mild winter and, with the political unrest having less of an impact in the West of the country than in the East, our like-for-like cement volumes were up 20% in the first half. The increased volumes together with the acquisition of Mykolaiv Cement from Lafarge in September 2013 resulted in operating profit substantially ahead of 2013. However, the uncertain political backdrop remains a cause for concern.

Switzerland, Finland 

Construction activity in Switzerlandcontinued at a relatively high level, and our cement operations reported 12% volume growth in the first half driven by strong residential and infrastructure markets which also benefited sales of readymixed concrete and aggregates. Overall operating profit and margin were ahead of 2013.

Construction activity in Finlandwas somewhat down in the first half, resulting in reduced volumes of cement, aggregates and concrete. However, with strong cost control, profits were in line with the first half of 2013.

Ireland, Spain, Benelux

In Irelandconstruction activity has begun to rise, albeit from a very low base. With the benefit of cost reduction initiatives and the resizing of our businesses over the past number of years, overall profit and margin improved and we are in a strong position to leverage from the modest growth.

InSpainconstruction activity continues to fall, although at a more moderate pace; however, with the benefits of restructuring our out-turn improved.

In the Benelux , our readymixed concrete and aggregates business in the Netherlands continued to be affected by the competitive trading environment while our cement volumes in Belgium benefited from a more stable economic backdrop. Overall Benelux operating profit was behind 2013.

EUROPE PRODUCTS

Although benefiting from relatively favourable weather compared with the first half of 2013, construction activity in our Europe Products markets was mixed. The positive impacts of strong residential demand in the UK, underlying progress in Denmark and stabilising volumes in the Benelux and Germany were partially offset by continuing declines in France.  Overall like-for-like sales increased by 9% in the first half of the year. The benefits of our continued focus on cost control, and our previously implemented restructuring measures, together with operating leverage on increased sales, are reflected in the significant improvement in operating profit and margin.

Concrete Products  

The favourable weather and improving demand in some markets had a positive impact on volumes in the first half, and overall revenue increased. With the benefit of increased leverage, restructuring initiatives and a focus on cost control, operating profit and margin were also well ahead. Overall revenue and operating profit were higher than 2013 at our Architecturaloperations (tiles, pavers, blocks), benefiting from strong residential demand in the UK and improving consumer confidence in Germany. Our Structural operations also reported sales and operating profit increases with improving demand in Denmark and stabilising volumes in Belgium being the main factors.

Clay Products

In the UK, where Ibstock is a major player in the brick market, new build and RMI demand in the residential sector continues to benefit from the extended "Help to Buy" scheme, and total clay brick volumes for the industry increased by 14% ahead of an already strong 2013. On the back of strong demand average selling price increased, with margin and profit improving significantly. Our clay businesses in the Netherlandsand Polandalso improved, helped by the more favourable weather and restructuring measures. Overall Clay operating results were well ahead of 2013.

Building Products  

Our Construction Accessories business, which is the market leader in Western Europe, benefited from increased construction activity in its major markets, particularly the UK and Germany. With higher volumes and the benefit of cost savings, operating profit was well ahead of 2013. The Outdoor Security and Fencing businesses saw strong volume increases, which more than offset the impact of a very competitive environment and a lower margin product mix. Our Shutters & Awnings business, which is more concentrated in Germany than our other building products businesses, benefited from improving customer confidence and the favourable early weather but with continued strong competition operating profit was in line with 2013.

EUROPE DISTRIBUTION

Our Distribution business, like our other European operations, benefited from mild weather and good demand in the early months, and like-for-like sales were up 8% for the first four months. However, with some of this activity pulled forward demand in May and June was lower, bringing the overall increase in like-for-like sales to 4% for the first half of 2014. The leverage on the increased sales together with the benefits of our continued focus on cost control, commercial excellence and procurement optimisation, resulted in a significant improvement in operating profit and margin.

Our builders merchants network was strengthened during the period by three acquisitions, at a total cost of              €11 million, which added branches in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

General Builders Merchants

With 352 locations in six countries, our general builders merchants business has strong market positions in all its regions, supplying a full range of building materials to general building contractors. Overall operating profit for this business increased significantly in the first half of 2014.

Our Benelux business saw a slight increase in like-for-like sales compared with the first half of 2013 mainly due to the favourable weather in the first quarter. Higher operating profit was driven by a strong focus on leveraging the benefits of our procurement initiatives. Sales at our operations in Switzerlandwere in line with 2013, however strong price competition, partly driven by the ongoing strength of the Swiss Franc, resulted in lower operating profit. Sales levels in France,GermanyandAustriawere well ahead in the first quarter but saw some overall moderation in recent months. Each of the businesses benefited from the increased sales and focus on cost control; operating profit increased significantly compared with the first half of 2013.

DIY

Our DIY platform in Europe operates 196 stores under three main brands; Gamma and Karwei in the Benelux and Hagebau in Germany. Sales increased during the period due to higher garden sales supported by favourable weather and improving consumer confidence. Operating profit and margin were higher.

Sanitary, Heating and Plumbing ("SHAP")

Our SHAP operations comprise a total of 126 branches in three countries serving the growing RMI focused sanitary, heating and plumbing market.

While the businesses in Belgium and Germany delivered improved sales and profit performances, trading in Switzerland was impacted by the challenging conditions experienced by our merchanting activities. Overall sales and operating profit were ahead of the first half of 2013.

AMERICAS MATERIALS

For the second successive year severe weather conditions were experienced in many of Americas Materials' major markets in the seasonally quiet early months. However, against a backdrop of stable publicly-funded infrastructure activity and improving residential and non-residential demand, volumes increased. Like-for-like US Dollar sales revenue increased 4%, while EBITDA in US Dollars was 26% higher; the seasonal operating loss reduced to €61 million. In the more weather-impacted Eastern region, like-for-like aggregates volumes were 2% ahead of H1 2013 with asphalt volumes 2% higher and readymixed concrete volumes 1% ahead. In the Western region, like-for-like aggregates volumes increased 6% with asphalt volumes 4% higher and readymixed concrete volumes 11% ahead of first-half 2013.

Four bolt-on acquisitions were completed in the first half of 2014 at a cost of €62 million, increasing vertical integration in a number of key markets, particularly in Central West.

Aggregates

Like-for-like volumes increased by 4%, with total volumes including acquisitions 6% ahead of the first half of 2013. On average first-half like-for-like prices increased by 3%. Operating margin was in line with 2013 as lower volume throughputs in the weather-impacted early months affected overall production costs.

Asphalt

Like-for-like asphalt volumes rose 3% for the first six months, with overall volumes including acquisitions also 3% higher. On average, prices were in line with the first half of 2013 and bitumen input costs reduced. The leverage on the increased volumes and the stable input cost backdrop combined to deliver margin improvement.

Paving and Construction Services

Although the start to the paving season was delayed by the severe weather in key markets, like-for-like sales finished in line with the first half of 2013. With strong cost control, margin trends continued to improve and were ahead of 2013.

Readymixed Concrete

Like-for-like volumes rose 7%, with total volumes including acquisitions up 8% compared with last year. On average, first-half like-for-like prices increased by 4%. While unit production costs increased, mainly reflecting higher raw material input costs, our operating margin increased.

Energy and Related Costs

The price of bitumen, a key component of asphalt mix, was 1% below the first six months of 2013. The cost of diesel and gasoline, which are important inputs to aggregates, readymixed concrete and paving operations, was in line with the first half of 2013. The price of energy used at our asphalt plants, consisting of natural gas, recycled oil, fuel oil and electricity, rose by 5% largely reflecting higher natural gas costs, which were impacted by higher national demand due to the severe weather.

AMERICAS PRODUCTS

Construction and economic activity in the United States continued to advance in 2014, and the improving trends resulted in stronger demand for our Americas Products businesses in the first half. While the early months of the year were, like Q1 2013, impacted by the adverse weather, overall like-for-like US Dollar sales in the first half were 5% ahead compared with 2013. Despite the higher sales, operating profit and margin were down, affected by a less favourable product mix and weather-impacted plant utilisation and distribution costs.

Four acquisitions were completed during the first half of 2014 at a total cost of €47 million, of which the most significant was Hope Agri Products, a market-leading supplier of soils, mulches and decorative stone to large homecenter chains in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. The integration of this business into the existing Oldcastle Lawn & Garden plant network provides synergies in freight and production costs and an unrivalled plant network to service the homecenter and independent retail channel in South Central US.

Architectural Products

Our Architectural Products business supplies a wide range of concrete masonry and hardscape products, packaged construction and landscape products, clay brick and fencing to the construction industry, with the DIY and professional RMI segments being significant end-users. The negative weather impact early in the year was recovered in the second quarter, with like-for-like sales up 4% compared to first-half 2013. This also reflected a less favourable residential construction mix. The leverage on the increased sales, together with cost reduction and rationalisation measures implemented in recent years, were offset by weather-impacted plant productivity and distribution costs resulting in overall like-for-like profit in line with last year.

Precast

Our Precast business supplies a wide range of concrete, polymer and plastic products with electrical, telecommunications, water and transportation utilities being major customers. Although shipments were delayed in the first quarter, overall sales for the first half were 2% ahead of last year on a like-for-like basis. Markets in the West continued to improve, with the East more impacted by the weather. A less favourable sales mix, a slow start to major project work and weather-affected plant utilisation all impacted margin and overall operating profit was behind last year.

BuildingEnvelope ®

Activity for this group is driven primarily by demand in the non-residential construction sector. With the benefit of the improving market conditions, overall US Dollar sales rose by 5%. In our Architectural Glass and Storefront business, improved prices, and continued focus on tight cost controls and improved processes, resulted in higher operating profit and margin. Project and product mix in our Engineered Glazing Systems business were less favourable and operating profit slightly reduced. Overall operating profit for BuildingEnvelope ® was in line with 2013.

AMERICAS DISTRIBUTION

Against the backdrop of improving construction activity, Americas Distribution, trading as Allied Building Products ("Allied"), reported a 2% increase in like-for-like US Dollar sales in the first half of 2014 with improvements in the Interior Product segment more than offsetting reduced activity in the weather-affected Exterior Products segment.

Exterior Products 

Allied is one of the top three roofing and siding distributors in the United States. Demand is influenced by residential and commercial replacement activity (75% of sales volume is RMI-related) with key products having an average life span of 25 years.

While activity levels improved in the second quarter, the poor weather in the early months of the year combined with the absence of hurricane reconstruction work which benefited the first half of 2013, resulted in a marginal decline in first-half revenue and operating profit for this segment.

Interior Products 

This business sells wallboard, steel studs and acoustical ceiling systems to specialised contractors, and has low exposure to weather-driven replacement activity; demand is driven primarily by new commercial construction activity, although the business also supplies the multi-family home building sector. Allied is the third largest Interior Products distributor in the US.

Sales in all markets increased during the period; industry shipments of wallboard, a good barometer of market activity, were up 7% in the first half and Allied was successful in recovering price increases in wallboard. With better demand trends supporting a positive pricing environment operating profit increased.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - continued

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Selected Explanatory Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

1.    Basis of Preparation and Accounting Policies

The financial information presented in this report has been prepared in accordance with the Group's accounting policies under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as approved by the European Union and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting .

These Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's Annual Consolidated Financial Statements in respect of the year ended 31 December 2013.

The accounting policies and methods of computation employed in the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements are the same as those employed in the preparation of the most recent Annual Consolidated Financial Statements in respect of the year ended 31 December 2013.

Certain prior year disclosures have been amended to conform to current year presentation.

Adoption of new IFRSs and/or IFRICs

There are no new IFRSs and/or IFRICs effective for the first time for this interim period that have had a material impact on the Group.

Translation of Foreign Currencies  

The financial information is presented in euro. Results and cash flows of operations based in non-euro countries have been translated into euro at average exchange rates for the period, and the related balance sheets have been translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. The principal rates used for translation of results and balance sheets into euro were:

1.    Basis of Preparation and Accounting Policies - continued

Impairment

As at 30 June 2014 the Group performed a review of indicators of impairment relating to goodwill allocated to cash-generating units for which sensitivity analysis of the recoverable amounts was disclosed in the year-end 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements. The carrying values of items of property, plant and equipment were also reviewed for indicators of impairment. These reviews did not give rise to any impairment charges in the first half of 2014 (H1 2013: nil).   

While we have not identified any impairments in our half-year review, we recognise that the economic environment in parts of Europe and the political environment in the Ukraine remain challenging. As part of our annual process we will be updating our impairment reviews prior to the finalisation of the full-year Consolidated Financial Statements for 2014, and will assess the impact of the items noted above (and of our consequential management actions) to determine whether they have an impact on the long-term valuation of our cash-generating units.

Going Concern

The Group has considerable financial resources and a large number of customers and suppliers across different geographic areas and industries. In addition, the local nature of building materials means that the Group's products are not usually shipped cross-border.

Having assessed the relevant business risks, the Directors believe that the Group is well-placed to manage these risks successfully and have a reasonable expectation that CRH plc, and the Group as a whole, has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

2.    Key Components of Performance for the First Half of 2014