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CRH Public Ltd. Co.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 5 lowered, 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 3% on pricing: Total revenues were $11.4 billion, 3% ahead of the prior year, driven by pricing momentum, underlying demand and acquisitions. Source
  • Net income fell on impairments: Net income was $1.2 billion against $1.5 billion a year earlier, mainly because of the loss on impairments. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA flat year on year: Adjusted EBITDA was $2.7 billion, level with the prior year, as commercial execution and acquisitions offset cost inflation, residential softness and divestitures. Source
  • Margins below prior year: Net income margin was 10.4% against 13.7%, and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.5% against 24.3%, both behind the prior year quarter. Source
  • Residential demand expected to stay subdued: Management expects the residential end-market to stay subdued in the near term, while infrastructure and reindustrialization spending support demand. Source
  • Arcosa acquisition completed: CRH completed the $8.5 billion Arcosa acquisition on October 23, 2026. Source
  • Velocity launched in the quarter: CRH launched Velocity in Q3 2026 to simplify structures, use technology and AI, and speed decisions over a two-year program. Source
  • Net debt rose to $15.0 billion: Net Debt was $15.0 billion at September 30, 2026, up from $14.2 billion at December 31, 2025, mainly on capex, acquisitions and shareholder payouts. Source
  • Full-year guidance revised lower: Management cites the earlier Arcosa completion, the inflationary cost backdrop and a more challenging residential market as reasons for the revision. Source

“Against a challenging and volatile inflationary cost backdrop our teams delivered a resilient Q3 performance reflecting disciplined commercial execution, performance improvement initiatives and positive underlying demand in key end-markets.”

Jim Mintern, CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net income SourceFY2026$3.1B-$3.3BLowered from $3.9B-$4.1B
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFY2026$7.8B-$8.0BLowered from $8.1B-$8.5B
Diluted EPS SourceFY2026$4.63-$4.85Lowered from $5.60-$6.05
Adjusted Diluted EPS SourceFY2026$5.37-$5.59New
Capital expenditure SourceFY20262.6-2.8 ($ billions)Lowered from 2.7-2.9 ($ billions)
Interest expense, net (assumption) SourceFY2026approximately $0.8 billionRaised from approximately $0.7 billion
Effective tax rate (assumption) SourceFY2026approximately 27%Raised from approximately 26%
Diluted common shares (assumption) SourceFY2026 year-to-date averageapproximately 670.5 millionLowered from approximately 674 million
Share buyback SourceThrough end of 2030up to $6BNew
Velocity run-rate benefits SourceBy end of 2028approximately $400 million annual run-rateNew
Velocity non-routine costs SourceTwo-year Velocity programapproximately $400 million totalNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Net income, Adjusted EBITDA, diluted EPS and capital expenditure guidance were revised down from the July ranges. Source
  • New guidance: Adjusted Diluted EPS guidance was introduced alongside Diluted EPS, following the Arcosa acquisition. Source
  • Ended: The pending Arcosa transaction ended with completion on October 23, 2026. Source
  • New: Velocity, a two-year transformation program to change the operating model, was launched in the quarter. Source
  • New: The Board authorized a new share buyback program, replacing the pause on new tranches noted in the prior quarter. Source
  • New: Adjusted EBITDA was redefined to exclude substantial acquisition-related integration costs and transformation-related costs. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 3% on pricing: Total revenues were $11.4 billion, 3% ahead of the prior year, driven by pricing momentum, underlying demand and acquisitions. Source
  • Net income fell on impairments: Net income was $1.2 billion against $1.5 billion a year earlier, mainly because of the loss on impairments. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA flat year on year: Adjusted EBITDA was $2.7 billion, level with the prior year, as commercial execution and acquisitions offset cost inflation, residential softness and divestitures. Source
  • Diluted EPS below prior year: Diluted EPS was $1.86 against $2.21, and pre-impairment diluted EPS was $2.09 against $2.27 in the prior year quarter. Source
  • Nine-month revenue and EBITDA higher: Nine-month revenue was $29.5 billion, up 5%, and Adjusted EBITDA was $5.9 billion, up 4%; nine-month diluted EPS was $3.79, down 5%. Source

Segments and regions

  • Americas Building Solutions profit fell: Americas Building Solutions Adjusted EBITDA fell 18% on the prior-year land gain and higher cost inflation, while Americas Materials Solutions Adjusted EBITDA rose 1%. Source
  • International Solutions profit up 6%: International Solutions revenue rose 1% and Adjusted EBITDA rose 6% on pricing, operational excellence and acquisitions, with margin up 110bps. Source
  • Building & Infrastructure revenue rose 16%: Energy and water infrastructure demand, plus the Axius Water acquisition, lifted Building & Infrastructure Solutions revenue by 16%. Source
  • Outdoor Living revenue fell 15%: Outdoor Living Solutions revenue dropped 15% on divestitures and subdued residential demand. Source
  • Americas aggregates pricing rose 5%: Americas aggregates volumes rose 2% and pricing 5%, while cement pricing fell 2% on residential weakness and geographic mix. Source

“We completed the acquisition of Arcosa, reinforcing our position as the leading aggregates and critical infrastructure player in North America.”

Jim Mintern, CEO

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Margins below prior year: Net income margin was 10.4% against 13.7%, and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.5% against 24.3%, both behind the prior year quarter. Source
  • Cost environment described as volatile: Management cited a volatile cost environment while still expecting favorable underlying demand across key end-markets. Source
  • International pricing rose in aggregates and cement: International aggregates and cement pricing rose 5% and 6%, reflecting continued pricing momentum. Source
  • Philippines impairment charge: Loss on impairments was $178 million, against $40 million a year earlier, relating to the Philippines reporting unit in International Solutions. Source
  • Tax expense rose on impairments: Income tax expense was $494 million against $428 million, reflecting a higher effective tax rate. Source

Demand and residential market

  • Residential demand expected to stay subdued: Management expects the residential end-market to stay subdued in the near term, while infrastructure and reindustrialization spending support demand. Source
  • Utility and data center activity grew: Utility infrastructure and data center activity grew in Americas Building Solutions, offsetting subdued residential demand and divestitures. Source
  • Major projects supported Americas revenue: Major project demand, pricing and acquisitions drove Americas Materials Solutions revenue up 6%. Source
  • Adverse weather hit paving revenue: Paving and construction revenue fell 1% as adverse weather offset contributions from acquisitions. Source

“By simplifying our operating model, leveraging technology and data more effectively, and increasing agility across the organization, CRH will execute with greater speed and efficiency, raising our ambitions and accelerating the delivery of our expanded margins.”

Jim Mintern, CEO

Acquisitions, divestitures and Arcosa

  • Arcosa acquisition completed: CRH completed the $8.5 billion Arcosa acquisition on October 23, 2026. Source
  • Arcosa funded by term loan and bridge: Funding came from a $2.5 billion term loan, a $3.3 billion bridge facility and cash on hand. Source
  • Nine acquisitions in the quarter: Nine acquisitions cost $0.5 billion in the quarter, against $2.5 billion in the same period of 2025. Source
  • Divestiture proceeds in line: Divestitures and disposals of long-lived assets brought $0.1 billion of proceeds, in line with the prior year quarter. Source
  • Engineered Structures fits grid and data demand: Arcosa's Engineered Structures business is positioned for grid modernization, electrification and data center construction. Source

Velocity transformation program

  • Velocity launched in the quarter: CRH launched Velocity in Q3 2026 to simplify structures, use technology and AI, and speed decisions over a two-year program. Source
  • Velocity aims at higher margins: Management said Velocity is meant to support growth objectives while raising operational efficiency and margins. Source
  • Transformation costs recognized to date: Non-routine transformation costs recognized since launch total $49 million through the end of the third quarter. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Net debt rose to $15.0 billion: Net Debt was $15.0 billion at September 30, 2026, up from $14.2 billion at December 31, 2025, mainly on capex, acquisitions and shareholder payouts. Source
  • New buyback reflects financial capacity: The new authorization reflects financial capacity, the balance sheet and cash generation; repurchases reached $0.7 billion through Q3. Source
  • Q3 buybacks smaller than prior year: In Q3 CRH repurchased about 0.8 million shares for $0.1 billion; nine-month repurchases were $0.7 billion against $0.9 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Quarterly dividend up 5%: The quarterly dividend is $0.39 a share, a 5% increase on the prior year, in line with the policy of long-term dividend growth. Source
  • Cash and undrawn facilities: Cash and restricted cash were $5.1 billion at September 30, 2026, against $4.3 billion a year earlier, with $4.5 billion of undrawn committed facilities. Source
  • Capital spending on plant and intangibles: Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangibles were $1.8 billion for nine months, close to $1.9 billion a year earlier. Source

Full-year guidance update

  • Full-year guidance revised lower: Management cites the earlier Arcosa completion, the inflationary cost backdrop and a more challenging residential market as reasons for the revision. Source
  • Guidance assumes normal seasonal weather: Guidance assumes normal seasonal weather and no further major geopolitical or macroeconomic dislocations. Source
  • Guidance excludes further one-off items: Guidance does not assume further significant one-off items, impairments, divestitures or changes to trade policy. Source
  • Adjusted Diluted EPS introduced for comparability: Adjusted Diluted EPS was added because Arcosa and Velocity are expected to bring acquisition, integration and transformation costs that affect comparability. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 October 2026

  • Dividend payable December 9: The quarterly dividend is payable on December 9, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on November 13, 2026. Source
  • Fourth quarter includes Arcosa and Velocity costs: Fourth-quarter guidance includes Arcosa's expected contribution and Velocity transformation-related costs. Source
  • Adjusted Diluted EPS reported consistently: Management intends to present Adjusted Diluted EPS on a consistent basis in future periods. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Aggregates volumes, Americas Materials Solutions Source+2%
Cement volumes, Americas Materials Solutions Sourcein line with prior year
Asphalt volumes, Americas Materials Solutions Source-2%
Ready mix concrete volumes, Americas Materials Solutions Source+2%
Aggregates volumes, International Solutions Source+9%
Cement volumes, International Solutions Source+1%
Ready mix concrete volumes, International Solutions Source+10%
Asphalt volumes, International Solutions Source+1%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Cost inflation weighed on Americas Building Solutions Adjusted EBITDA, alongside the non-recurring prior-year land gain. Source
  • Demand: Management expects the residential end-market to stay subdued in the near term. Source
  • Regulatory: Guidance excludes further potential changes to global trade policies, which management did not include in its assumptions. Source
  • Financial: Impairments of $178 million in the quarter relate to the Philippines reporting unit, adding to tax expense and lower earnings per share. Source
  • Operational: Adverse weather and divestitures reduced Americas asphalt volumes by 2% in the quarter. Source
  • Operational: Velocity carries about $400 million of non-routine costs covering process redesign, technology and organizational change. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: The Q2 release expected the Arcosa close in Q1 2027; management now describes completion as earlier than anticipated.
  • Not stated: Guidance reaffirmed in the Q2 release was revised lower in the Q3 release.
  • Not stated: The Q2 release said the buyback program would be reevaluated at a later date, subject to market and balance sheet conditions.
  • Met: The quarterly dividend increase is described as in line with the stated dividend growth policy. Source
  • Not stated: Management says it remains committed to a robust balance sheet and expects to keep an 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.