Europe Earnings: Galliford Try, Lafarge, Peugeot, Sports Direct, TF1

Nigel Thomas
19 Feb, 2014
New York City

Galliford Try profit and sales soared 18%. Lafarge net climbed 156.6% to

[R]3:40 PM Frankfurt – Galliford Try profit and sales soared 18%. Lafarge net climbed 156.6% to €213 million. Peugeot plans to raise €5.27 billion through share sales and joint ventures and warrants. Sports Direct profit surged 15% to £281 million. TF1 net climbed 9% to €152 million.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index fell 0.3% or 17.82 to 6,778.61 and in Frankfurt the DAX index slid 0.1% or 8.78 to 9,651.

In Paris, CAC 40 index rose 0.1% or 3.15 to 4,333.86.

Galliford Try plc climbed 4.6% to 1,220 pence after the U.K.-based construction company said group revenue in the first-half ending in December surged 18% to £803.5 million from £678.3 million a year earlier.

Pre-tax profit in the period jumped 18% to £38.1 million compared to £32.3 million and earnings per share increased to 36.8 pence from 31.3 pence a year ago period.

Lafarge S.A gained 2.7% to €54.02 after the France-based cement maker said sales in the fourth-quarter ending in December slid 2% to €3.71 billion from €3.81 billion a year earlier.

Net income in the quarter climbed 156.6% to €213 million compared to €83 million and earnings per share in the quarter rose to €0.74 from €0.29 a year ago period.

Peugeot SA rose 0.7% to €12.60 after the France-based passenger car maker plans to raise €5.27 billion or $7.26 billion through share sales and joint ventures of China-based Dongfeng Motor Corp.

The company will sell new stock and warrants at a price of €7.50 per share.

The carmaker plans to sell another €770 million in warrants carrying the right to shares at the same price.

Sports Direct International Plc soared 6.9% to 765.38 pence after the U.K.-based sports goods retailer reported group sales in the quarter ending on January 26 climbed 11.2% to £655.4 million from £589.5 million a year ago.

Gross profit in the period surged 14.6% to £280.7 million compared to £244.8 million a year earlier.

Sports Retail sales jumped 6.9% to £529.9 million and premium lifestyle sales surged 52.5% to £71.2 million. The Brands division revenue soared by 15.5% to £54.3 million.

TF1 NV slipped 1.7% to €13.66 after the France-based television company stated sales revenue in the year ending in December declined 5.7% to €2.08 billion from €2.21 billion a year ago.

Net profit in the year climbed 8.9% to €151.7 million compared to €139.3 million and diluted earnings per share fell to €0.18 from €0.17 a year earlier.