Eiffage results show sales loss

French-based contractor Eiffage’s latest quarterly figures have revealed its year-on-year sales were down 1.7% to €10.17 billion.

The company said that reduced demand in its national roadbuilding sector and drop in public works projects resulted in a 6% revenue fall to €2.4 billion from projects within France – which included a further 6% reduction in its energy division sales to €2.1 billion.

Its operations across Europe were down 2.4% to €373 million - while sales in the rest of the world increased by 6.4% to €116 million.

Within its contracting business, year-to-date sales were €8.4 billion, which were down by 2.8% year-on-year. Figures for the third quarter showed its group sales were down by a total of 4.1% to €3.6 billion.

However, its order book was improved, increasing 1.1% to €11.9 billion, with the firm reporting its overall trading in Europe remained stable.

This had built on its half-year figures that had shown operating margins had increased 7.3%, though sales figures were down 0.2% to €6.5 billion.

The company said, “Given the decline in orders from the public sector, which was sharper than thought in the roads sector as well as the ongoing selectivity in order intake, group sales for 2014 are now expected to be down slightly.

“The group is otherwise confirming its outlook of increase in results and reduction of net debt.”