CRH Q1 2025 Results

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 05, 2025-- 

CRH $(CRH)$, a leading provider of building materials solutions, today reported first quarter 2025 financial results.

 
                               Key Highlights 
 Summary Financials                               Q1 2025      Change 
 Total revenues                                   $6.8bn       +3% 
 Net (loss) income                                ($98m)       n/m(1) 
 Net (loss) income margin                         (1.5%)       (320bps) 
 Adjusted EBITDA*                                 $495m        +11% 
 Adjusted EBITDA margin*                          7.3%         +50bps 
 Diluted (loss) earnings per share                ($0.15)      n/m(1) 
 
 Good start to the year despite unfavorable weather in the seasonally least 
  significant quarter Performance driven by differentiated strategy, 
  positive pricing and contributions from acquisitions Completed eight 
  value-accretive bolt-on acquisitions for $0.6bn Ongoing share buyback; 
  $0.5bn completed YTD; commencing new $0.3bn quarterly tranche Declaring 
  quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share (+6% y/y) Underlying demand across 
  key markets remains positive Reaffirming guidance; expect FY25 Net income 
  of $3.7bn-$4.1bn; Adjusted EBITDA of $7.3bn-$7.7bn 
 

Jim Mintern, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"The strength of our first quarter performance reflects the benefits of our differentiated strategy, good commercial management and contributions from acquisitions. Although the first quarter is typically the seasonally least significant period for our business, we are encouraged by the continued strength of underlying demand across our key markets. Our relentless focus on financial control and discipline enabled us to maintain our strong balance sheet in the first quarter. Notwithstanding the current macroeconomic uncertainty, the outlook for our business remains positive and we are pleased to reaffirm our financial guidance for 2025, leaving us well positioned for another year of growth and value creation ahead."

 
 
* Represents non-GAAP measure. See 'Non-GAAP Reconciliation and Supplementary 
Information' on pages 12 to 13. 
(1) n/m - not meaningful. 
 

Q1 2025 Results

Performance Overview

Total revenues of $6.8 billion (Q1 2024: $6.5 billion) were 3% ahead as contributions from acquisitions and strong commercial management more than offset the impact of divestitures and lower activity levels due to adverse weather in many regions. Net loss of ($98) million (Q1 2024 net income: $114 million) was behind the prior year, with a solid underlying operating performance offset by the non-recurrence of gains on prior year divestitures. Adjusted EBITDA* of $495 million (Q1 2024: $445 million) was 11% ahead as a result of the continued delivery of CRH's differentiated strategy, positive pricing, ongoing cost control and further operational efficiencies. CRH's net loss margin of (1.5%) was behind Q1 2024 (Q1 2024 net income margin: 1.7%), while Adjusted EBITDA margin* of 7.3% (Q1 2024: 6.8%) was ahead of the comparable prior year period. Diluted (loss) earnings per share for Q1 2025 was ($0.15) (Q1 2024: $0.16).

   -- Americas Materials Solutions' total revenues were 2% ahead of Q1 2024, 
      driven by continued pricing progress across all lines of business along 
      with positive contributions from acquisitions, which offset the effects 
      of lower activity due to weather disruption in many regions. Adjusted 
      EBITDA was well ahead of the prior year period, driven by commercial 
      progress, ongoing cost management and operational efficiencies. 
 
   -- Americas Building Solutions' total revenues were 1% behind Q1 2024 as 
      contributions from acquisitions and strong performances in the water and 
      energy markets were offset by weather-impacted demand. Adjusted EBITDA 
      declined by 7% due to adverse weather and subdued residential activity. 
 
   -- International Solutions' total revenues were 7% ahead of Q1 2024, driven 
      by good contributions from acquisitions and continued pricing progress, 
      more than offsetting the impact of lower activity levels due to 
      challenging weather in certain markets. Adjusted EBITDA was 22% ahead of 
      the prior year, driven by good commercial management, operational 
      efficiencies and contributions from acquisitions. 

Acquisitions and Divestitures

In the three months ended March 31, 2025, CRH completed eight acquisitions for a total consideration of $0.6 billion, compared with $2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2024. Americas Materials Solutions completed five acquisitions, the largest of which being Talley Construction, a vertically integrated asphalt and paving company with operations in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina, while Americas Building Solutions completed three acquisitions.

With respect to divestitures, CRH realized proceeds from divestitures and disposals of long-lived assets of $0.1 billion, compared with $0.7 billion in the first quarter of the prior year.

Dividends and Share Buybacks

In line with the Company's policy of consistent long-term dividend growth, the Board has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents an increase of 6% on the prior year. The dividend will be paid wholly in cash on June 25, 2025, to shareholders registered at the close of business on May 23, 2025. The ex-dividend date will be May 23, 2025.

As part of its ongoing share buyback program, CRH repurchased approximately 3.2 million Ordinary Shares in Q1 2025 for a total consideration of $0.3 billion. On May 2, 2025, the latest tranche of the share buyback program was completed, bringing the year-to-date repurchases to $0.5 billion. The Company is pleased to announce that it is commencing an additional $0.3 billion tranche to be completed no later than August 5, 2025.

Innovation and Sustainability

CRH is committed to driving profitable growth by providing its customers with innovative solutions that support the transition to a more sustainable built environment. The Company's customer-centric approach to innovation gives CRH the ability to leverage the benefits of existing and emerging technologies to drive efficiency and margin expansion. CRH's ability to transform essential materials into value-added and innovative solutions enables the Company to better serve its customers' needs, address the global challenges of water, circularity and decarbonization and make construction simpler, safer and more sustainable.

2025 Full Year Outlook

Due to the localized nature of our operations, we do not expect a material direct impact from recent changes in global trade policies on our business. Notwithstanding the current macroeconomic uncertainty, the outlook for our business remains positive and we reaffirm our financial guidance for 2025. While it is still early in the construction season, we continue to expect positive underlying demand across our key end-use markets in 2025, underpinned by significant public investment in critical infrastructure and continued re-industrialization 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 differentiated 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.

 
2025 Guidance (i) 
(in $ billions, except per share data)                         Low      High 
                                                          --------  -------- 
Net income (ii)                                                3.7       4.1 
Adjusted EBITDA*                                               7.3       7.7 
Diluted earnings per share (ii)                              $5.34     $5.80 
Capital expenditure                                            2.8       3.0 
                                                          --------  -------- 
 
(i) The 2025 guidance does not assume any significant one-off or non-recurring 
items, including the impact of further potential changes to global trade 
policies, impairments or other unforeseen events. 
(ii) 2025 net income and diluted earnings per share are based on approximately 
$0.6 billion interest expense, net, effective tax rate of approximately 23% 
and a year-to-date average of approximately 683 million diluted common shares 
outstanding. 
 

Americas Materials Solutions

 
                                 Analysis of Change 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                   Q1                                                    Q1 
in $ millions    2024  Currency  Acquisitions  Divestitures  Organic   2025  % change 
                -----  --------  ------------  ------------  -------  -----  -------- 
Total revenues  2,202      (10)          +144          (16)     (77)  2,243       +2% 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA            15        --           +10            +6      +28     59     +293% 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA 
 margin          0.7%                                                  2.6% 
                -----  --------  ------------  ------------  -------  -----  -------- 
 

Americas Materials Solutions' total revenues were 2% ahead of the first quarter of 2024, as pricing progress and contributions from acquisitions more than offset weather-impacted volumes in many regions.

In Essential Materials, total revenues decreased by 3% due to lower volumes in most regions. Prices in aggregates and cement were ahead by 8% and 4%, respectively. Aggregates volumes declined by 5% while cement volumes declined by 2%, due to adverse weather in certain markets, partly offset by contributions from acquisitions.

In Road Solutions, total revenues increased by 5% led by increased paving activity along with growth in both asphalt and readymixed concrete. Asphalt volumes increased 4% over the prior year while pricing increased by 3%. Readymixed concrete volumes were up 4% over the prior year and pricing increased by 1%. Construction backlogs increased on the prior year, supported by positive momentum in bidding activity.

First quarter Adjusted EBITDA for Americas Materials Solutions was well ahead of the prior year, driven by pricing improvements, disciplined cost management and operational efficiencies. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 190bps.

Americas Building Solutions

 
                                 Analysis of Change 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                   Q1                                                    Q1 
in $ millions    2024  Currency  Acquisitions  Divestitures  Organic   2025  % change 
                -----  --------  ------------  ------------  -------  -----  -------- 
Total revenues  1,693       (4)           +60           (8)     (59)  1,682      (1%) 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA           308        --           +15           (1)     (35)    287      (7%) 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA 
 margin         18.2%                                                 17.1% 
                -----  --------  ------------  ------------  -------  -----  -------- 
 

Americas Building Solutions' total revenues were 1% behind the first quarter of 2024, as solid underlying demand in key markets as well as contributions from acquisitions were offset by adverse weather impacts.

In Building & Infrastructure Solutions, total revenues were 4% ahead of Q1 2024, supported by increased volumes in the water and energy markets, along with the positive impact from acquisitions.

In Outdoor Living Solutions, total revenues were 3% behind the prior year period as demand was impacted by adverse weather across certain key markets.

Adjusted EBITDA for Americas Building Solutions was 7% behind the first quarter of 2024 as adverse weather and subdued residential activity impacted results. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 110bps behind the prior year period.

International Solutions

 
                                 Analysis of Change 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                   Q1                                                    Q1 
in $ millions    2024  Currency  Acquisitions  Divestitures  Organic   2025  % change 
                -----  --------  ------------  ------------  -------  -----  -------- 
Total revenues  2,638      (57)          +370          (67)     (53)  2,831       +7% 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA           122       (1)           +29          (16)      +15    149      +22% 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA 
 margin          4.6%                                                  5.3% 
                -----  --------  ------------  ------------  -------  -----  -------- 
 

International Solutions' total revenues were 7% ahead of the first quarter of 2024 supported by continued pricing progress and good contributions from acquisitions which offset the impact of adverse weather and lower activity in certain geographies.

In Essential Materials, total revenues were 7% ahead of the comparable period in 2024 as positive pricing and contributions from acquisitions offset lower weather-impacted activity in some regions and the divestiture of the European Lime operations. Overall aggregates and cement volumes were 9% and 11% ahead of the comparable period in 2024, with pricing 5% and 2% ahead, respectively, benefiting from contributions from the Adbri acquisition.

In Road Solutions, total revenues were 11% ahead of the comparable period in 2024, with volumes and prices in readymixed concrete ahead of 2024 by 22% and 9%, respectively, benefiting from higher activity levels in a number of European countries, and contributions from the Adbri acquisition. Asphalt volumes declined by 4% as a result of lower activity in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while asphalt pricing declined 1% compared to the prior year.

Within Building & Infrastructure Solutions and Outdoor Living Solutions, total revenues were 1% ahead of the comparable period in 2024 supported by contributions from acquisitions.

Adjusted EBITDA in International Solutions was 22% ahead of the first quarter of 2024, primarily driven by increased pricing, operational efficiencies and contributions from acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 70bps compared to the prior year.

Other Financial Items

Depreciation, depletion and amortization charges of $477 million were $80 million higher than the first quarter of the prior year (Q1 2024: $397 million), primarily due to the impact of acquisitions.

Interest income of $37 million was lower than the first quarter of the prior year (Q1 2024: $43 million), primarily due to lower cash deposits. Interest expense of $181 million was higher than the comparable period in 2024 (Q1 2024: $133 million), primarily due to an increase in gross debt balances.

Other nonoperating (expense) income, net was ($20) million (Q1 2024: $161 million) with the decrease versus prior year primarily related to the non-recurrence of the gain on the divestiture of the European Lime operations and unrealized gains on certain investments.

Diluted (loss) earnings per share of ($0.15) was lower than Q1 2024 (Q1 2024: $0.16) primarily due to non-recurrence of gains on prior year divestitures.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Total short and long-term debt was $15.7 billion at March 31, 2025, compared with $14.0 billion at December 31, 2024, and $12.7 billion at March 31, 2024. In January 2025, the Company completed the issuance of $1.25 billion 5.125% Senior Notes due 2030, $1.25 billion 5.50% Senior Notes due 2035, and $0.5 billion 5.875% Senior Notes due 2055. In the three months ended March 31, 2025, a net $1.5 billion of commercial paper was repaid across the U.S. Dollar and Euro Commercial Paper Programs.

Net Debt* at March 31, 2025, was $12.7 billion, compared to $10.5 billion at December 31, 2024, and $9.6 billion at March 31, 2024. The increase in Net Debt* compared to December 31, 2024, reflects the seasonal net cash outflow from operating activities, acquisitions, cash returns to shareholders through continued share buybacks, as well as the purchase of property, plant and equipment.

CRH ended Q1 2025 with $3.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents (Q1 2024: $3.3 billion) and $3.9 billion of undrawn committed facilities. At March 31, 2025, the weighted average maturity of the term debt (net of cash and cash equivalents) was 8.6 years.

As at March 31, 2025, the Company had a $4.0 billion U.S. Dollar Commercial Paper Program and a EUR1.5 billion Euro Commercial Paper Program available. As at March 31, 2025, there was $0.1 billion of outstanding issued notes under the U.S. Dollar Commercial Paper Program and no outstanding issued notes under the Euro Commercial Paper Program. CRH remains committed to maintaining its robust balance sheet and expects to maintain a strong investment-grade credit rating with a BBB+ or equivalent rating with each of the three main rating agencies.

Q1 2025 Conference Call

CRH will host a conference call and webcast presentation at 8:00 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to discuss the Q1 2025 results and 2025 outlook. Registration details are available on www.crh.com/investors. Upon registration, a link to join the call and dial-in details will be made available. The accompanying investor presentation will be available on the investor section of the CRH website in advance of the conference call, while a recording of the conference call will be made available afterwards.

Dividend Timetable

The timetable for payment of the quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share is as follows:

 
Ex-dividend Date:  May 23, 2025 
Record Date:       May 23, 2025 
Payment Date:      June 25, 2025 
 

The default payment currency is U.S. Dollar for shareholders who hold their Ordinary Shares through a Depository Trust Company $(DTC.AU)$ participant. It is also U.S. Dollar for shareholders holding their Ordinary Shares in registered form, unless a currency election has been registered with CRH's Transfer Agent, Computershare Trust Company N.A. by 5:00 p.m. (EDT)/10:00 p.m. $(BST)$ on May 23, 2025.

The default payment currency for shareholders holding their Ordinary Shares in the form of Depository Interests is Euro. Such shareholders can elect to receive the dividend in U.S. Dollar or Pounds Sterling by providing their instructions to the Company's Depositary Interest provider, Computershare Investor Services plc, by 12:00 p.m. (EDT)/5:00 p.m. $(BST.AU)$ on May 27, 2025.

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Primary Statements

The following financial statements are an extract of the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and do not present all necessary information for a complete understanding of the Company's financial condition as of March 31, 2025. The full Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the three months ended March 31, 2025, including notes thereto, will be included as a part of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission $(SEC.UK)$.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

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