from LAFARGEHOLCIM LTD (EPA:LHN)
Record profitable growth in H1
Holcim Group Services Ltd / Key word(s): Half Year Results
Miljan Gutovic, CEO: “I thank all members of the Holcim family for delivering record profitability in the first half of 2024. With our deeply embedded performance culture, our teams focused on successfully meeting our customers’ needs. Our leading sustainable building solutions, from ECOPact low-carbon concrete, to Elevate energy-efficient roofing systems, position us as the partner of choice for large-scale projects like infrastructure and data centers. “We delivered broad-based profitable growth in H1, achieving a superior earnings profile with a record recurring EBIT margin of 23.2% in Q2, and are well on course to deliver free cash flow of above CHF 3 billion in 2024. With our track record of creating superior value across all market conditions and economic cycles, we are committed to another year of record results, capitalizing on our markets’ strong fundamentals. “Our disciplined M&A execution continued with 11 value-accretive acquisitions to accelerate circular construction and scale up our ECOCycle® technology, while expanding Solutions & Products and strengthening our aggregates and ready-mix businesses. Advancing climate action, we reduced CO2 per net sales by 7%1.”
Performance overview H1
Profitable growth continues Net sales of CHF 12,813 million in H1 2024 were up +1.6% on a local currency basis compared to the prior year. Recurring EBIT for H1 2024 grew over-proportionally compared to net sales to a record CHF 2,210 million, with a rise of 12.7% in local currency versus the prior-year period. Profitability increased sharply in Q2 2024 with a record recurring EBIT margin of 23.2%, reflecting our strategic focus on high-value solutions. Consequently, Holcim is well on track to again deliver industry-leading margins for the full year. Holcim’s earnings per share before impairment and divestments in H1 2024 were CHF 2.44, 10% higher than the prior-year period. Free cash flow after leases was CHF 48 million in H1 2024, compared to CHF 79 million in H1 2023, on track to achieve full-year 2024 guidance of above CHF 3 billion. Investing in the most attractive markets Holcim is continuing to invest in profitable growth with 11 value-accretive acquisitions, predominantly family-owned businesses bringing significant synergy upside. There were four highly-accretive acquisitions in Europe to accelerate circular construction - in Belgium, Switzerland, the UK and Germany - scaling up Holcim’s ECOCycle® recycling technology; three acquisitions in Europe and Latin America to expand Solutions & Products; and bolt-on acquisitions in North America, Latin America and Europe to strengthen aggregates and ready-mix. Holcim also closed four divestments in H1.
Leading in sustainability Customer demand for Holcim’s sustainable building solutions increased. In H1, net sales of Holcim’s low-carbon ECOPact concrete and low-carbon ECOPlanet cement accounted for 28% and 26% of ready-mix net sales and cement net sales, respectively, up significantly from 19% in each case at end-December 2023. Advancing climate action, Holcim reduced CO2 per net sales by 7% compared to the prior-year period. In Q2, Holcim broke ground with its partners on two large-scale carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects, in Germany and Belgium. Outlook and guidance Holcim’s strategy continues to deliver superior performance. Building on its record Q2 recurring EBIT margin, Holcim updates its full-year guidance for 2024, with:
The planned listing of Holcim’s North American business in the U.S. is on track to be completed in the first half of 2025, with the aim of unlocking a new era of value creation for all stakeholders.
Holcim launched its previously announced share buyback on 18 March 2024 to purchase up to
Key Group figures
Segment performance North America North America reached a new level of profitability, with an increase in H1 recurring EBIT margin of 240 basis points to 19.4%. There are strong market fundamentals in place, with Holcim having secured more than 100 infrastructure projects between 2023 and 2026. Strong performance is expected in 2024.
Latin America Latin America delivered its 16th consecutive quarter of profitable growth, with an outstanding H1 recurring EBIT margin of 35.6%. The region benefited from its leading Disensa retail distribution network with more than 2,000 stores. Nearshoring trends across the region are driving infrastructure and commercial investments.
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