Europe Movers: Costain, Deliveroo, Hill & Smith, Hugo Boss, Rheinmetall

Bridgette Randall
13 Mar, 2025
Frankfurt

Costain Group Plc. dropped 4.1% to 106.90 pence after the UK-based provider of infrastructure solutions reported lower revenue in fiscal 2024.

Revenue declined to £1.25 billion from £1.33 billion, profit jumped to £30.6 million from £22.1 million, and diluted earnings per share edged up to 11.1 pence from 7.8 pence a year ago.

The company proposed a final dividend of 2.0 pence per share for 2024, up from 0.8 pence in 2023, payable on May 29 to shareholders on record as of April 22.

The total dividend per share for the year after the final dividend will increase to 2.4 pence, compared to 1.2 pence in 2023.

Hill & Smith Plc. surged 8.9% to 1,884 pence after the UK-based provider of sustainable infrastructure and transport reported increased revenue in 2024.

Revenue jumped 3% to £855.1 million from £829.8 million, profit rose to £84.3 million from £68.8 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to 93.9 pence from 85.0 pence a year ago.

The company proposed a 14% increase in the final dividend to 32.5 pence per share, payable on July 4 to shareholders on the register as of May 30.

After the final dividend, the total dividend for the year is 49 pence per share, up from 43 cents per share in 2023.

The company paid a total of £34.5 million in dividends during 2024, up from £28 million in 2023.

Hill & Smith said that it is “confident of another year of good progress in 2025,” driven by its proven M&A strategy, and seeing attractive growth opportunities in its business in India.

“Our US businesses delivered around 76% of group underlying operating profit in 2024 and we expect the strong trading momentum to continue in 2025,” as the overall market’s trade tensions do not pose any significant threats, the company said in a release to investors.

Rheinmetall AG surged 9.6% to €1,265 after the German armored vehicle, weapon, and ammunition maker reported increased revenue in fiscal 2024.

Revenue jumped 36% to €9.75 billion from €7.18 billion, operating income climbed 61% to €1.48 billion from €918 million, and earnings per share rose to €16.51 from €12.32 a year ago.

Sales in the defense business, which accounts for around 80% of group sales,  increased by 50% during the year.

The company proposed a dividend of €8.10 per share, compared to €5.70 per share in 2023.

Rheinmetall guided for fiscal 2025 group sales to grow between 25% and 30% and the operating margin to be approximately 15.5%, compared to 15.2% in 2024.

In the defense business, the company estimated sales growth between 35% and 40% in 2025.

“This outlook does not yet take into account the improvement in market potential that is expected to arise in the markets that are particularly relevant for Rheinmetall in Europe, Germany, and Ukraine as a result of the geopolitical developments in recent weeks,” the company said in a release to investors.

Deliveroo Plc. dropped 7.1% to 115.74 pence despite the food and retail products delivery platform operator reporting sales growth in fiscal 2024.

Revenue increased to £2.07 billion from £2.03 billion, profit edged up to £2.9 million from a loss of £31.8 million, and diluted earnings per share were zero compared to a loss of 1 cent a year ago.

Sales in the U.K. and Ireland rose to £1.25 billion from £1.21 billion, and international sales declined to £817.5 million from £821.0 million a year earlier.

Total orders increased 2% to 296 million from 290 million, and average order size rose 3% £25.1 from £24.30 a year ago, respectively. 

During the year, the company purchased 22.6 million shares for a total of £30 million, including transaction costs of £0.2 million, and held by the earnings before tax.

The company announced a new stock repurchase commenced in August 2024 to purchase for a maximum of £150 million.

During the year, 61.1 million shares were purchased for £90.0 million, including transaction costs of £0.6 million, and 60 million of these shares were cancelled at a cost of £88.5 million and a nominal value of £0.3 million.

Deliveroo guided fiscal 2025 adjusted EBITDA to be between £170 million and £190 million, compared to £130 million in 2024, as the company makes targeted investments to capture future growth opportunities.

The growth in transaction value is expected to increase at “a high single digit” in 2025.

Hugo Boss AG dropped 2.2% to €37.16 despite the German clothing, leather goods, and accessories retailer reporting higher sales in fiscal 2024.

Sales increased to €4.31 billion from €4.20 billion, net income edged down to €225.95 million from €242.53 million, and earnings per share fell to €3.09 from €3.74 a year ago.

The company paid a dividend of €1.40 per share, up from €1.35 per share in 2023.

Hugo Boss guided for fiscal 2025 sales to range between €4.2 billion and €4.4 billion, a 2% increase or decrease said from last year, and EBIT is expected to reach €380 to €440 million euros, up 5% to 22% from €360.82 million in 2024.