Profits up +3% for Bouygues

Following its mid August sales report, Bouygues has released its first half earnings presentation. Confirming first half (1HY08) sales of € 15,3 billion as previously reported in CE, Bouygues recorded a +3% increase in operating profit on 1HY07, up from € 1 billion in 2007 to € 1,1 billion in 1HY08.

Bouygues construction recorded sales and operating profit up by +20% and +24% respectively. Construction sales in 1HY08 amounted to € 4,4 billion, up from € 3,7 billion in 2007.

A strong order book in the construction sector totalled € 12,3 billion, up +26% on the corresponding 2007 period.

A statement issued by the company said, “Tensions have emerged after several years of economic prosperity. These include the financial crisis, the slowdown in the property market, soaring commodity prices and the euro/dollar exchange rate. To date, these tensions have only had a limited impact on the group’s business performance and have not affected our 2008 sales targets.”