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CRH Public Ltd. Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 2 lowered, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 6% on pricing and acquisitions: Total revenues were $10.8 billion, up 6% on the prior year, driven by positive pricing momentum, good underlying demand and acquisition contributions. Source
  • Net income up 13% on divestiture gains: Net income was $1.5 billion, 13% higher than the prior year, driven by operating performance and gains on divestitures during the period. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 7% to $2.6 billion: Adjusted EBITDA was $2.6 billion, up 7%, reflecting commercial execution, performance improvement initiatives and acquisition contributions. Source
  • Americas Materials revenue rose 10%: Americas Materials Solutions revenues rose 10% and Adjusted EBITDA rose 12%, supported by pricing, cost management and acquisitions. Source
  • Group margins rose year on year: Net income margin was 14.0%, up from 13.1%, and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 24.4%, up from 24.1%, both ahead of the prior year. Source
  • Net debt rose to $15.4 billion: Net Debt was $15.4 billion at June 30, 2026, up from $14.2 billion at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Net debt rise linked to acquisitions: Net debt increased on acquisitions, capital expenditure and shareholder returns, partly offset by operating cash inflows and divestiture proceeds. Source
  • Arcosa agreed at $8.5 billion: Arcosa agreed as an all-cash transaction at $150 per share, reflecting total enterprise value of about $8.5 billion, and the deal is subject to approvals. Source

“We delivered a strong Q2 performance driven by good commercial execution, favorable underlying demand and further contributions from acquisitions.”

Jim Mintern, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net income SourceFY2026$3.9bn-$4.1bnKept
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFY2026$8.1bn-$8.5bnKept
Diluted EPS SourceFY2026$5.60-$6.05Kept
Capital expenditure SourceFY2026$2.7bn-$2.9bnLowered from $2.8bn-$3.0bn
Income tax expense (mid-point) SourceFY2026$1.4bnRaised from $1.3bn
Effective tax rate (assumption) SourceFY2026approximately 26%Raised from approximately 24%
Diluted share count (assumption) SourceFY2026, year-to-date averageapproximately 674 millionLowered from approximately 675 million
Interest expense, net (assumption) SourceFY2026approximately $0.7bnKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Net income, Adjusted EBITDA and diluted EPS guidance for 2026 was reaffirmed, with no change to the ranges given in the first quarter release. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Capital expenditure guidance moved from $2.8bn-$3.0bn to $2.7bn-$2.9bn. Source
  • Guidance raised: Mid-point income tax expense guidance moved from $1.3bn to $1.4bn. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Year-to-date average diluted share count assumption moved from approximately 675 million to approximately 674 million. Source
  • New: CRH agreed on June 22, 2026 to acquire Arcosa in an all-cash transaction; this agreement was not in the first quarter release. Source
  • Ended: The $0.3bn share buyback tranche announced with the first quarter results was completed on July 28, 2026, and no new tranche has been started. Source
  • Ended: Three non-core businesses were divested in the quarter, which the first quarter release had said were agreed and expected to close in the second quarter. Source

Group results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 6% on pricing and acquisitions: Total revenues were $10.8 billion, up 6% on the prior year, driven by positive pricing momentum, good underlying demand and acquisition contributions. Source
  • Net income up 13% on divestiture gains: Net income was $1.5 billion, 13% higher than the prior year, driven by operating performance and gains on divestitures during the period. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 7% to $2.6 billion: Adjusted EBITDA was $2.6 billion, up 7%, reflecting commercial execution, performance improvement initiatives and acquisition contributions. Source
  • Diluted EPS up 14% to $2.21: Diluted EPS was $2.21 against $1.94 a year earlier, primarily due to operating performance and gains on divestitures. Source

Segment and regional performance

  • Americas Materials revenue rose 10%: Americas Materials Solutions revenues rose 10% and Adjusted EBITDA rose 12%, supported by pricing, cost management and acquisitions. Source
  • Americas Building revenue fell 2%: Americas Building Solutions revenues fell 2% as divestitures and subdued residential demand offset energy and data infrastructure markets. Source
  • International revenue rose 5%: International Solutions revenues rose 5% and Adjusted EBITDA rose 8%, with pricing, activity in certain markets and acquisitions more than offsetting divestitures. Source
  • Energy and data infrastructure demand rose: Building & Infrastructure Solutions revenues rose 10%, while Outdoor Living Solutions revenues fell 7% on divestitures and subdued residential demand. Source

“we remain encouraged by the underlying demand across our key markets”

Jim Mintern, Chief Executive Officer

Products, volumes and pricing

  • Aggregates volumes rose 2%: Americas aggregates volumes rose 2% and prices rose 5%, while cement volumes fell 2% and cement prices fell 1% on weather and mix effects. Source
  • Asphalt pricing rose 6%: Americas asphalt volumes rose 3% and pricing rose 6%; readymixed concrete volumes were in line with the prior year and pricing rose 2%. Source
  • International aggregates and cement volumes grew: International aggregates volumes rose 10% and cement volumes rose 6%, with more activity in certain markets and support from acquisitions. Source
  • International asphalt volumes fell 7%: International asphalt volumes fell 7% on lower activity in certain markets, while asphalt pricing rose 20% on geographic mix effects. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Group margins rose year on year: Net income margin was 14.0%, up from 13.1%, and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 24.4%, up from 24.1%, both ahead of the prior year. Source
  • Margins rose against inflationary costs: Management said higher profits and margin expansion came despite an inflationary cost backdrop, supported by commercial execution and performance initiatives. Source
  • Americas Building margin fell 140bps: Americas Building Solutions Adjusted EBITDA fell 8% and its margin fell 140bps to 21.8%, on divestitures, cost inflation and subdued residential demand. Source
  • International margin rose 70bps: International Solutions Adjusted EBITDA margin rose 70bps to 21.1%, with pricing, operational initiatives and acquisitions offsetting divestitures and cost inflation. Source

“Backed by our robust balance sheet and financial capacity, we agreed the $8.5 billion acquisition of Arcosa, which will reinforce our position as the leading aggregates and critical infrastructure player in North America.”

Jim Mintern, Chief Executive Officer

Demand and market conditions

  • Public investment supports demand: Management expects favorable underlying demand across key end-markets, underpinned by public infrastructure investment and continued reindustrialization activity. Source
  • Residential new-build expected subdued: Repair and remodel activity is expected to be resilient, while the new-build residential segment is expected to remain subdued. Source
  • Data center and utility demand rose: Data center and utility infrastructure demand rose, but divestitures offset that growth in Americas Building Solutions revenue. Source
  • Geopolitical and macro uncertainty noted: Management noted current geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties and said it remained encouraged by underlying demand across its key markets. Source

Cash flow, debt and balance sheet

  • Net debt rose to $15.4 billion: Net Debt was $15.4 billion at June 30, 2026, up from $14.2 billion at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Total debt rose to $17.9 billion: Total short and long-term debt was $17.9 billion at June 30, 2026, against $17.7 billion at December 31, 2025, and interest expense rose on higher gross debt. Source
  • Liquidity and undrawn facilities: Cash and restricted cash was $3.1 billion at quarter end, and $4.5 billion of committed facilities were undrawn, available until May 2030. A $5.8bn bridge facility was agreed for Arcosa. Source
  • Net debt rise linked to acquisitions: Net debt increased on acquisitions, capital expenditure and shareholder returns, partly offset by operating cash inflows and divestiture proceeds. Source

Dividends and share buybacks

  • Quarterly dividend raised 5% to $0.39: The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share on July 30, 2026, a 5% increase on the prior year, in line with its policy of consistent dividend growth. Source
  • Share buybacks of $0.3 billion in quarter: About 2.5 million shares were repurchased for $0.3 billion in the quarter, versus 3.7 million for $0.3 billion a year earlier; year-to-date repurchases reached $0.7 billion. Source
  • No new buyback tranche started: No new share buyback tranche has been started in connection with the Arcosa agreement, and the program will be reevaluated at a later date. Source

Arcosa acquisition and portfolio changes

  • Arcosa agreed at $8.5 billion: Arcosa agreed as an all-cash transaction at $150 per share, reflecting total enterprise value of about $8.5 billion, and the deal is subject to approvals. Source
  • Arcosa adds US aggregates and energy: Management said the deal reinforces CRH's position in US aggregates, expands US energy infrastructure capabilities and adds exposure to fast-growing metropolitan areas. Source
  • Axius Water acquisition completed May 29: The largest acquisition in the quarter, Axius Water, completed on May 29, 2026 for $0.7 billion; 11 acquisitions totalled $1.1 billion in the quarter. Source
  • Three non-core businesses divested: Divestiture proceeds of $1.7 billion were realized, mainly from construction accessories ($0.7 billion), lawn and garden ($1.1 billion) and MoistureShield ($0.1 billion). Source

Full-year guidance and assumptions

  • Full-year guidance reaffirmed: Net income, Adjusted EBITDA and diluted EPS guidance for 2026 were reaffirmed, with capital expenditure guidance updated, as set out in the guidance table. Source
  • Assumptions: normal weather, no new shocks: The 2026 full-year view assumes normal seasonal weather and no further major geopolitical or macroeconomic dislocations. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 July 2026

  • Arcosa closing expected in Q1 2027: The Arcosa acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to stockholder and regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Source
  • Dividend payment on September 16: The $0.39 quarterly dividend is payable on September 16, 2026 to shareholders registered at the close of business on August 14, 2026. Source
  • Buyback program to be reevaluated: The share buyback program will be reevaluated at a later date, depending on market conditions, balance sheet strength, capital allocation priorities and other factors. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Americas Materials aggregates volumes Source+2%
Americas Materials cement volumes Source-2%
Americas Materials asphalt volumes Source+3%
Americas Materials readymixed concrete volumes Sourcein line with prior year
International Solutions aggregates volumes Source+10%
International Solutions cement volumes Source+6%
International Solutions readymixed concrete volumes Source+5%
International Solutions asphalt volumes Source-7%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited current geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties as a factor in its view of demand. Source
  • External: The 2026 guidance excludes any significant one-off items, including further changes to global trade policies, impairments and unforeseen events. Source
  • Operational: Management referred to an inflationary cost backdrop during the quarter, which affected Americas Building Solutions margins. Source
  • Demand: New-build residential demand is expected to remain subdued, while repair and remodel activity is expected to be resilient. Source
  • External: Adverse weather in certain markets reduced cement volumes in Americas Materials Solutions during the quarter. Source
  • Regulatory: The Arcosa transaction remains subject to Arcosa stockholder approval, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The $0.3bn tranche announced with the first quarter results was completed on July 28, 2026, as the first quarter release had stated. Source
  • Met: The first quarter release expected Axius Water to close in the second quarter; the second quarter release reports completion on May 29, 2026. Source
  • Met: The first quarter release expected these divestitures to close in the second quarter; the second quarter release reports the three divestitures in the quarter. Source
  • Not stated: The first quarter release reaffirmed 2026 guidance; the second quarter release reaffirms the same net income, Adjusted EBITDA and diluted EPS ranges. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it remains committed to a robust balance sheet and expects to maintain a strong investment-grade credit rating. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.