Growth in activity and increase in consolidated gross margin (like-for-like)
Ramp-up in investments for industrial business units and reduction in net debt
Increase in gross margin and in transport costs
HERIGE Group reported like-for-like turnover of €294.4 million for the first six months of 2018, up 4.5% on June 30, 2017 (4.9% at comparable scope1) despite a difficult start to the period and an unusual month of May.
The positive drive in activity saw the Group’s consolidated gross margin increase to €110.9 million at comparable scope1, up €3.2 million on the first six months of 2017 to stand at 37.7% of turnover.
The progressive recovery in activity led to an increase in HERIGE's external costs (+7.9%), primarily linked to transport, taking Group’s current operating income to €3.3 million compared to €3.7 million one year earlier.
Group net profit amounted to a positive €0.9 million for first-half 2018 after €2.0 million for first-half 2017 and was essentially impacted by various extraordinary costs.
Financial situation: ramp-up in industrial investments and drop in net debt
HERIGE Group continued with its investment program over the first six months of 2018 (€8.1 million on June 30), more than 60% of which is devoted to its industrial activities.
Consolidated shareholders’ equity stood at €109.8 million on June 30, 2018. Net financial debt came in at €83.3 million after €88.1 million on June 30, 2017, resulting in a net gearing ratio of 76% versus 78% for the prior-year period.
Outlook and developments
Faced with a slowdown in the construction market and a wait-and-see climate linked to future regulations, HERIGE is continuing to focus on a strategic roadmap for its business divisions that will enable it to confirm profitable and lasting growth.
1Building Materials Trading restated for the sale of VM Piscines and the closure of LNTP Tours.
NEXT PUBLICATION: Turnover for Q3 2018 on November 6, 2018 (after the stock exchange closes).
All our financial communications are available on our website www.groupe-herige.fr