Positive year-end for Eiffage

French contractor Eiffage reported a positive end to 2012, with consolidated sales of €3.8 billion for the fourth quarter - up 4.5% on 2011 figures.

Total consolidated sales for 2012 came to €14 billion, up 2.6% on full year 2011 figures.

The contractor's business levels were buoyed by its domestic market, with sales up 2.7%, while the rest of Europe declined 4%.

Contracting activities increased 2.7% year-on-year to €11.9 billion for 2012, with a strong upturn towards the end of the year with fourth quarter figures up 4.8% to €3.3 billion.

In France, sales were up 5.3% to €3.1 billion. Property sales reached 2,785 in 2012, down 11.3%.

Sales also declined slightly in the Benelux countries (-2%) but more sharply in Poland (-26.6%).

Backlog for the firm came to €12.2 billion at 1 January, 2013, down by 9.7% compared with 1 January, 2012.