CRH release second quarter financial results

Jim Mintern, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our strong second quarter performance was driven by favourable underlying demand, disciplined commercial management and further contributions from acquisitions. CRH's proven strategy continued to drive higher sales, profits and Adjusted EBITDA margins*, while our robust balance sheet and financial capacity enabled us to allocate approximately US$3 billion to growth investments and capital returns year-to-date. We completed 19 acquisitions year-to-date and continue to see an active pipeline of opportunities to further strengthen our market-leading positions in attractive growth markets. Underlying demand in our key end-use markets remains positive and we are pleased to raise our guidance for 2025."

Performance overview

Total revenues of $10.2 billion (Q2 2024: US$9.7 billion) increased by 6% driven by the positive impact of acquisitions and disciplined commercial execution, which offset lower activity levels in weather-impacted regions. Net income of US$1.3 billion (Q2 2024: US$1.3 billion) was 2% ahead of the prior year. This growth reflects a strong underlying operating performance, which more than offset higher depreciation and interest expenses, as well as reduced gains from divestitures and disposals of long-lived assets during the period. Adjusted EBITDA* of US$2.5 billion (Q2 2024: US$2.3 billion) increased by 9% as a result of the continued delivery of CRH's connected strategy, positive pricing, good contributions from acquisitions and further operational efficiencies. CRH's net income margin of 13.1% was behind Q2 2024 (13.6%), while Adjusted EBITDA margin* of 24.1% (Q2 2024: 23.4%) was ahead of the comparable prior year period. Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) for Q2 2025 was US$1.94 (Q2 2024: US$1.88).

• Americas Materials Solutions' total revenues were 2% ahead of Q2 2024, driven by continued positive pricing and contributions from acquisitions, which offset weather-related activity challenges. Adjusted EBITDA was 4% ahead of the prior year period, supported by contributions from acquisitions, underlying commercial progress and ongoing cost management while the prior year benefited from higher gains on disposal of long-lived assets.
• Americas Building Solutions' total revenues were 2% ahead of Q2 2024, supported by contributions from acquisitions and strong demand in water infrastructure and data centre activity. Adjusted EBITDA was 5% ahead of the prior year.
• International Solutions' total revenues were 13% ahead of Q2 2024, driven by strong contributions from acquisitions and sustained pricing momentum. Adjusted EBITDA was 23% ahead of the prior year, driven by good commercial management, operational efficiencies and contributions from acquisitions.

Acquisitions and divestitures

In the three months ended June 30, 2025, CRH completed five acquisitions for a total consideration of US$0.1 billion, compared with US$0.4 billion in the same period of 2024. Americas Materials Solutions completed two acquisitions, while International Solutions completed three acquisitions.

For the six months ended June 30, 2025, CRH completed 13 acquisitions for a total consideration of US$0.7 billion, compared with US$2.6 billion in the first half of the prior year.

As announced on July 29, 2025, CRH has reached an agreement to acquire Eco Material Technologies (Eco Material), a leading supplier of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) in North America, for a total consideration of US$2.1 billion. The proposed acquisition puts CRH at the forefront of the transition to next generation cement and concrete and secures the long-term supply of high-value critical materials to unlock strong future growth opportunities. Eco Material is headquartered in Utah and operates a national network of fresh and harvested fly ash, pozzolans, synthetic gypsum and green cement operations distributed across a network of over 125 utility source locations, production facilities and terminals. The proposed transaction is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions and is expected to close in 2025.

With respect to divestitures, in the three months ended June 30, 2025, cash proceeds from divestitures and disposals of long-lived assets were US$31 million, compared with US$0.4 billion in the same period in 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, CRH realised cash proceeds from divestitures and disposals of long-lived assets of US$0.1 billion, compared with US$1.1 billion in the same period of the prior year.

Dividends and share buybacks

In line with CRH's policy of consistent long-term dividend growth, the Board has declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.37 per share. This represents an increase of 6% on the prior year.

As part of its ongoing share buyback program, CRH repurchased approximately 3.7 million Ordinary Shares in Q2 2025 for a total consideration of US$0.3 billion. On August 5, 2025, the latest tranche of the share buyback programme was completed, bringing the year-to-date repurchases to US$0.8 billion. CRH is pleased to announce that it is commencing an additional US$0.3 billion tranche to be completed no later than November 5, 2025.

2025 full year outlook

The outlook for our business remains positive and we raise our financial guidance for 2025. We continue to expect favourable underlying demand across our key end-use markets in 2025, underpinned by significant public investment in critical infrastructure and continued re-industrialisation activity in key non-residential segments. Within the residential sector, the new-build segment is expected to remain subdued, while repair and remodel activity remains resilient. Assuming normal seasonal weather patterns and absent any major dislocations in the political or macroeconomic environment, CRH’s proven strategy and leading positions of scale in attractive higher-growth markets, together with our strong and flexible balance sheet, are expected to underpin another year of growth and value creation in 2025.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/08082025/crh-release-second-quarter-financial-results/