Playtech Maintained Dividend, Cold Weather Fails to Dampen CRH Profit

Sarla Buch
23 Aug, 2018
New York City

Ambu lifted sales and operating margin forecast. CRH Plc profit surged. OneSavings Bank net soared 18% on 16% surge in revenues. Playtech maintained interim dividend. Sunrise Communications lifted profit estimate.

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – Ambu lifted sales and operating margin forecast. CRH Plc profit surged. OneSavings Bank net soared 18% on 16% surge in revenues. Playtech maintained interim dividend. Sunrise Communications lifted profit estimate.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index slid 7.29 to 7,567.33 and in Frankfurt the DAX index fell 8.89 to 12,377.06.

In Paris, CAC 40 index edged up 5.86 to 5,426.47.

Ambu A/S declined 3.4% to 254.60 Danish kronor after Denmark-based medical equipment maker said interest income in the nine-month period ending in June soared 8.7% from a year ago to 1.9 billion kronor.

Net income in the period jumped 4.7% to 224 million kronor from 214 million kronor in the same period a year ago and diluted earnings per share increased to 0.91 kronor from 0.88 kronor.

The life-supporting equipment maker said revenues growth in Europe surged 19% and in North America soared 18%.

The medical equipment maker lifted fiscal 2018 endoscopes sale forecast to about 550,000 units from the earlier estimate of 500,000 units.

Ambu also lifted operating margin fiscal 2018 forecast to between 21% and 22% from the earlier estimate of 20% to 21% and free cash flow to about 300 million kronor.

CRH Plc gained 1.4% to 2,641 pence after the Ireland-based diversified building materials maker reported sales in the first-half ending in June rose 1% from a year ago to €11.9 billion.

Net income in the period surged to €1.5 billion from €372 million in a year ago six-month period and diluted earnings per share advanced to €1.74 from €0.44.

CRH forecasted fiscal 2018 operating margin remained in-line with prior year at 9.5% and depreciation and amortization charges of €518 million were broadly in line with last year

OneSavings Bank Plc plunged 5.6% to 418.20 pence after the U.K.-based banking and trading services provider stated net interest income in the first-half ending in June surged 15.5% from a year ago to £135.2 million.

Net income in the period soared 17.8% to £69.5 million from £59 million in a year ago six-month period and diluted earnings per share increased to 27.1 pence from 23.9 pence.

Playtech Plc advanced 2.1% to 528.20 pence after the Isle of Man-based online gaming and sports betting software developer said revenues in the first-half ending in June increased 4% from a year ago to €436.5 million.

Net income in the period jumped 18% to €112.4 million from €89.6 million in a year ago six-month period and diluted earnings per share increased to €33.7 from €27.3.

Playtech maintained the interim dividend of €12.1 per share.

Sunrise Communications Group AG soared 6.9% to 92.80 Swiss francs after Switzerland-based telecom serviced provider reported revenues in the first-half ending in June advanced 4.2% from a year ago to 920.9 francs.

Net income in the period dropped 2.8% to 40.7 million francs from 39.6 million francs in the same period a year ago and diluted earnings per share fell to 0.90 francs from 0.88 francs.

The telecom serviced provider lifted fiscal 2018 operating profit forecast in the range of 595 million francs to 605 million francs from earlier estimate of 580 million francs to 595 million francs and revenue between 1.83 billion francs and 1.87 billion francs.