PARIS (Reuters) - Building materials group Lafarge (>> LAFARGE) maintained its 2015 forecast for global cement demand growth of between 2 and 5 percent on Thursday, and said its cost-saving target for the year was on track as it delivered first-quarter results.

The company also said it still expected to close its planned merger with Swiss group Holcim (>> Holcim Ltd) in July.

First-quarter current operating income grew 40 percent to 205 million euros (148 million pounds). The company delivered a group net loss of 96 million euros against a loss of 135 million a year earlier.

It said the loss, reflecting the seasonality of the construction industry, was smaller because of its cost-saving efforts.

(Reporting by Andrew Callus; Editing by James Regan)

Stocks treated in this article : LAFARGE, Holcim Ltd