Strong start to the year
25.04.2024 - 06:30:20Strong start to the year. Holcim Group Services Ltd / CH0012214059
| Holcim Group Services Ltd / Key word(s): Quarter Results 25-Apr-2024 / 06:30 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Net Sales of CHF 5,586 million, up +3.4% in local currency Over-proportional growth in recurring EBIT of +17.1% in local currency and +7.8% in Swiss franc Profitable growth continues in 2024 with recurring EBIT margin expansion of +0.9 percentage points Strong contribution from Solutions & Products, roofing sales up +67% in local currency Continued M&A execution with five acquisitions and four divestments Guidance 2024 confirmed Performance overview Strong performance
North America delivered margin expansion with a 3.9% increase in local currency recurring EBIT driven by strong underlying market demand. While Q1 was impacted by fewer shipping days and adverse weather conditions, strong performance is expected to continue in 2024. In Latin America, Holcim achieved record Q1 net sales and recurring EBIT, along with a strong margin expansion to above 36%. The nearshoring trend in Mexico accelerated during the quarter and the region has a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects ahead. Europe delivered double-digit Q1 recurring EBIT growth, with an increase in the recurring EBIT margin of 1.5 percentage points - the sixth consecutive quarter of margin improvement. The strong results are set to continue. In Asia Middle East & Africa, profitable growth in local currency continued with an expansion in recurring EBIT margin of 1.7 percentage points. The region recorded a significant increase in alternative fuels usage, advancing decarbonization. Solutions & Products posted strong results, with recurring EBIT more than doubling versus the prior year period and margin expansion of 2 percentage points. Growth in net sales was mainly driven by roofing, with normalization of demand after destocking. Sales in roofing were up 67% in local currency, of which 38% came from organic growth and 22% from the acquisition of Duro-Last. Growing in the most attractive markets Holcim continued its M&A execution during the quarter, making five acquisitions of family-owned businesses and closing four divestments. In Solutions & Products, Holcim acquired ZinCo, a global leader in advanced green roofing systems based in Germany, and Tensolite, a leading manufacturer of innovative precast and pre-stressed concrete construction systems with a strong presence in fast-growing Latin American markets. Holcim made three acquisitions in aggregates, ready-mix and construction demolition materials, while closing the divestments of Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Accelerating advanced branded solutions In Q1, net sales of Holcim’s low-carbon ECOPact concrete accounted for 26% of ready-mix sales, and net sales of low-carbon ECOPlanet cement represented 26% of cement sales, up significantly from 16% in each case in the prior year period. State-of-the-art production of high-performance insulation boards ramped up at Holcim’s new Salt Lake City plant, increasing capacity in the region. Leading in sustainability, Holcim reduced CO2 per net sales by 5% year-on-year. Holcim this month hosted the groundbreaking of its carbon capture and utilization project in Lägerdorf, Germany, designed to capture and utilize 1.2 million tons of CO2 per year by 2029. Outlook and guidance 2024 Following continued margin expansion in Q1, Holcim confirms its outlook for the year, with: Organic net sales growth of above 4%, additional growth from M&A of above 2% Over-proportional growth in recurring EBIT Increase in recurring EBIT margin to 18% Free cash flow of above CHF 3 billion 20% growth in recycled Construction Demolition Materials to 10 million tons Progress towards US listing of North American business Holcim launched its previously announced share buyback on 18 March 2024 to purchase up to CHF 1 billion until year-end. It remains committed to a strong investment grade credit rating. Group and segment figures
Reconciling measures of profit and loss to the Holcim Group’s consolidated statement of income:
Additional information Alternative Performance Measures definitions Some Alternative Performance measures are used in this release to help describe the performance of Holcim. A full set of these Alternative Performance definitions can be found on our website. Analyst presentation The analyst presentation of the Q1 2024 Trading Update is available on www.holcim.com. Media conference: 09:00 CEST Analyst conference: 10:00 CEST In order to participate in the analysts’ conference, please go to www.holcim.com/investors. [1] Growth in local currency factors in organic growth and acquisitions and divestments by excluding foreign exchange. About Holcim Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions with net sales of CHF 27.0 billion in 2023. Driven by our purpose to build progress for people and the planet, our 63,448 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. We empower our customers across all regions to build better with less, with a broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact and ECOPlanet to our circular technology platform ECOCycle®. Through innovative systems, from Elevate roofing to PRB insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of our strategy, we are on the way to becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C targets validated by SBTi. Learn more about Holcim on www.holcim.com, and by following us on LinkedIn. Sign up for Holcim's Building Progress newsletter here and follow our journey to a net-zero future. Important disclaimer – forward-looking statements: This document contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets, as the case may be, including with respect to plans, initiatives, events, products, solutions and services, their development and potential. Although Holcim believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as at the time of publishing this document, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Holcim, including but not limited to the risks described in the Holcim's annual report available on its website (www.holcim.com) and uncertainties related to the market conditions and the implementation of our plans. Accordingly, we caution you against relying on forward-looking statements. Holcim does not undertake to provide updates of these forward-looking statements. End of Inside Information |
