Bouygues improves profit levels

Third quarter results from French industrial firm Bouygues have shown an increased year-to-date net profit standing at €728 million.

This compared to €548 million for the same period for last year, with its figures bolstered by a 1% growth in overall sales to €24.2 billion.

The company’s construction order book also stood at a €27.44 billion, which was comparable to its 2013 year-to-date results of €27.42 billion.

It said that maintaining a diverse portfolio of construction activities had been significant in produce a relatively stable performance in spite of challenging domestic conditions.

According to its full-year forecast, the company said that it was on course for a position between -1% and stable against 2013 figures. It had also reduced its net debt by €610 million to €4.98 billion.

The company said, “The international environment remains supportive for the group's construction businesses. While conditions on the French market are tougher, our construction businesses have, as usual, shown a great capability to adapt by introducing adjustment measures and cost controls.”