2022 Full Year Results

RNS Number : 5818R
CRH PLC
02 March 2023
 

   

2022 Full Year Results
This document contains inside information

 

 

 

Key Highlights

 

· Strong performance underpinned by our integrated solutions strategy

· Further growth in sales, EBITDA, margin & EPS despite significant cost inflation

· Efficient & disciplined approach to capital allocation

· FY dividend +5%, significantly increasing share buyback to $3bn over next 12 months

· $3.3bn invested in solutions-focused acquisitions; strong pipeline of opportunities

· Strong & flexible balance sheet; significant optionality for future value creation

· Raising sustainability ambitions; updated 1.5°C decarbonisation targets

· New organisational structure; aligning with integrated solutions strategy

· Recommending transition to US primary listing in 2023

 

 

Summary Financials1  2022    Change 

Sales                                               $32.7bn          +12%

EBITDA                                         $5.6bn   +13%

EBITDA Margin                            17.2%             +10bps

EPS                                                $3.50             +14%

 

 

 

 

Albert Manifold, Chief Executive, said today:

"Our 2022 performance reflects the outstanding commitment of our people, the underlying strength and resilience of our business and the continued delivery of our integrated, solutions-focused strategy. Despite significant cost pressures throughout the year, we delivered further improvements in profits, margins and returns. Our strong cash generation together with our relentless focus on disciplined capital allocation has also delivered the strongest balance sheet in our history, providing us with significant opportunities for further growth and value creation going forward."

 

Announced Thursday, 2 March 2023

 

1 Current and prior year trading information is presented on a continuing operations basis, excluding the results of the Building Envelope business which was divested in April 2022 and has been classified within discontinued operations.

2022 Full Year Results

 

Trading Overview

CRH delivered a strong performance in 2022 underpinned by our integrated solutions strategy along with resilient demand and commercial progress in North America and Europe. Group sales of $32.7 billion (2021: $29.2 billion) were 12% ahead of 2021 on both a total and like-for-like basis2. Group EBITDA of $5.6 billion (2021: $5.0 billion) was 13% ahead as good commercial management and further operational efficiencies offset significant cost inflation, overall Group margin was also ahead of prior year. Like-for-like EBITDA was 8% ahead of 2021.

 

· Americas Materials delivered a strong performance with total sales 15% above 2021 levels and like-for-like sales 12% ahead driven primarily by solid price progression across all lines of business. EBITDA was 6% ahead, or 5% ahead on a like-for-like basis, as good commercial management partially offset the impact of higher input costs and lower volumes resulting from unfavourable weather.

· Building Products maintained good activity levels as demand for critical utility infrastructure and outdoor living solutions remained resilient. This, together with strong performances from recent acquisitions, delivered total sales 26% ahead of 2021, or 11% ahead on a like-for-like basis. Total EBITDA was 52% ahead, 18% ahead on a like-for-like basis, as a result of continued progress on pricing, cost control and production efficiencies.

·     Europe Materials like-for-like sales were 11% ahead reflecting continued strong pricing progress which offset the impact of lower activity levels. Like-for-like EBITDA was 8% ahead, driven by commercial excellence measures across all countries along with a continued focus on cost savings, partly offset by significant cost inflation and the impact of the conflict in Ukraine. Total sales were in line with 2021 and EBITDA was 4% behind due to the impact of adverse currency translation effects.

 

Profit after tax from continuing operations was 10% ahead of 2021 at $2.7 billion (2021: $2.4 billion) driven primarily by the strong trading performance.

 

Earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations was 14% higher than 2021 at $3.50 (2021: $3.06). Including the trading contribution and profit on disposal of our discontinued operations, total EPS was $5.07 (2021: $3.29).

 

Note 2 on page 15 analyses the key components of the 2022 performance.

 

Accelerating Integrated Solutions

Our 2022 performance reflects the continued delivery of our integrated solutions strategy. By uniquely integrating value-added materials, products and services across the construction project lifecycle, our strategy enables us to provide bespoke solutions for our customers that solve their increasingly complex construction needs, while also creating superior value for our business. To further accelerate the development of our integrated solutions strategy and align our business with the changing needs and future growth opportunities of our industry, the Group has decided to transition to a new organisational structure, effective from 1 January 20233. See Appendix 1 for further information and associated 2022 pro forma disclosures. Further financial information will be provided in advance of our April trading update.

 

Sustainability

We remain committed to continuously improving our sustainability performance and decarbonising our businesses. In 2022, we announced an industry leading absolute carbon emissions reduction target by 2030. In early 2023, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated our revised targets in line with the updated 1.5°C science-based framework, which now equate to a 30% reduction in absolute carbon emissions by 2030 (from a 2021 base year). This is aligned with our ambition to be a net-zero business by 2050. In addition, we continue to expand our offering of integrated sustainable solutions to address the needs of our customers, advancing circularity and innovating to create a more sustainable built environment.

 

The Group has also recently announced the establishment of CRH Ventures, its venture capital unit, which will support the development of new technologies and innovative solutions to meet the increasingly complex needs of customers and evolving trends in construction. With access to a $250 million venturing and innovation fund to invest, CRH Ventures will partner with construction and climate technology companies, operating across the construction value chain.

 

Trading Outlook

Overall, we expect resilient demand and increased pricing in 2023 despite macroeconomic uncertainties and ongoing cost inflation. Our operations in North America will benefit from strong pricing and robust infrastructure demand being underpinned by significant increases in funding at both federal and state level. The non-residential sector is supported by government funding initiatives in clean energy and the onshoring of critical manufacturing, while the residential new-build sector will experience short-term weakness as a result of rising interest rates. In Europe we expect positive pricing momentum to offset lower volumes. Construction activity in Central and Eastern Europe will continue to be supported by EU infrastructure funds, while our businesses in Western Europe remain underpinned by resilient repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) activity and stable infrastructure demand. Notwithstanding a number of macroeconomic risks and uncertainties, CRH remains well positioned for another year of progress in 2023 due to our uniquely integrated, value-added solutions strategy together with a strong and flexible balance sheet.

2 See pages 34 to 37 for glossary of alternative performance measures (including EBITDA, like-for-like/organic, Net Debt/EBITDA) used throughout this report.

3 Segmental information presented in the 2022 Financial Statements is based on the segment structure as at 31 December 2022 being Americas Materials, Building Products and Europe Materials.

 

Americas Materials

Analysis of change

$ million

2021

Exchange

Acquisitions

Divestments

Organic

2022

% change

Sales revenue

12,407

-41

+511

-60

+1,507

14,324

+15%

EBITDA

2,588

-4

+44

-13

+133

2,748

+6%

Operating profit

1,788

-2

-11

-11

+145

1,909

+7%

EBITDA/sales

20.9%





19.2%


Operating profit/sales

14.4%





13.3%


 

 

Americas Materials sales were 15% ahead driven primarily by solid price progression across all lines of business which was partly offset by lower volumes impacted by unfavourable weather. EBITDA of $2.7 billion and operating profit of $1.9 billion were 6% and 7% ahead of 2021 respectively, as positive pricing was impacted by higher input costs. Like-for-like sales and EBITDA were 12% and 5% ahead of 2021 respectively.

 

Construction market growth remained positive in 2022, primarily driven by strong infrastructure activity, supported by increases in federal, state and local transportation funding. The non-residential market remained resilient, while parts of the new-build residential market faced challenges from rising interest rates and affordability constraints. Canada experienced solid growth in most provinces; however, rising interest rates and inflationary pressures negatively impacted the residential market.

 

During 2022, Americas Materials completed ten solutions-focused acquisitions across the US with a total spend of $0.5 billion. The largest of these was the acquisition of Hinkle Contracting Company, a vertically integrated materials and road solutions business in Kentucky.

 

Materials

Aggregates volumes declined by 1% compared to 2021 as strong volumes in the South and Great Lakes divisions were offset by unfavourable weather which impacted activity in the Northeast and West divisions. Aggregates prices increased by 10%, driven by strong commercial management.

 

Asphalt volumes were 3% ahead, driven by increases in the Great Lakes and South divisions, while volumes were lower in the Northeast and West divisions. Asphalt prices increased by 20% compared to prior year.

 

Readymixed concrete volumes were 6% behind 2021 levels, impacted by less favourable weather conditions in the West and the Northeast. Strong commercial discipline delivered higher prices across all divisions, 14% ahead of 2021, which offset raw materials and energy cost inflation.

 

Paving and construction revenues were 25% ahead of 2021 due to a strong order book and good project execution.

 

Regional Performance

Sales in the Northeast division were 10% ahead of 2021 as prices improved across all lines of business offsetting lower volumes due to less favourable weather. Operating profit increased, driven by improved pricing which offset lower volumes and higher input costs.

 

Great Lakes sales were 20% ahead of 2021, led by improved pricing across all lines of business and solid construction demand. Growth in operating profit was achieved through strong commercial management and ongoing cost control, offsetting input cost inflation.

 

South division sales were 26% ahead of 2021 with volumes ahead of prior year. Pricing was strong across all lines of business. Operating profit marginally declined as strong pricing was offset by increases in energy and bitumen costs.

 

The West division delivered 10% sales growth, driven primarily by disciplined commercial management across all lines of business and strong construction revenues. Unfavourable weather and a late start to the season impacted volumes. Operating profit was slightly ahead of 2021 as lower volumes were offset by improved pricing.

 

Cement

Our cement division delivered sales growth of 8% driven primarily by price realisation of 12% which offset slightly lower volumes  compared with 2021. Operating profit was ahead driven by strong price progression amid an inflationary cost environment.

Building Products (Continuing Operations)

Analysis of change

$ million

2021

Exchange

Acquisitions

Divestments

Organic

2022

% change

Sales revenue

6,218

-167

+1,121

-4

+655

7,823

+26 %

EBITDA

992

-7

+350

-

+175

1,510

+52 %

Operating profit

729

-1

+285

-

+148

1,161

+59 %

EBITDA/sales

16.0%





19.3%


Operating profit/sales

11.7%





14.8%


 

The table above excludes the trading performance of Building Envelope which, following its divestment, has been classified within discontinued operations.

 

Building Products delivered sales growth of 26%, 11% ahead on a like-for-like basis, due to strong demand for critical utility infrastructure and outdoor living solutions. This, combined with continued strong cost control and production efficiencies resulted in EBITDA 52% ahead of prior year and operating profit 59% ahead, 18% ahead and 20% ahead respectively on a like-for-like basis. This demonstrates the strong contribution from both the underlying businesses and recent acquisitions underpinned by our integrated solutions strategy.

 

Building Products completed ten acquisitions during 2022, mainly in the US, for a total spend of c. $2.7 billion. The largest acquisition was the purchase in July 2022 of Barrette Outdoor Living, North America's leading provider of fencing and railing solutions for the outdoor living space.

 

Architectural Products

Architectural Products in North America delivered strong sales growth in 2022, as sustained RMI activity offset the impact of rising interest rates on certain parts of new-build residential construction activity. Underlying demand in our European businesses was solid, particularly in Poland; however total sales were slightly behind 2021 due to currency headwinds. Pricing progress, improved operational performance and contributions from acquisitions resulted in operating profit ahead of prior year in both North America and Europe despite cost inflation and raw materials shortages. The integration of Barrette Outdoor Living is progressing well with trading in line with expectations and good synergy delivery.

 

Infrastructure Products

Infrastructure Products experienced strong sales growth in 2022, particularly in North America, with robust demand in the communications, energy, water and transportation sectors as well as strong contributions from recent acquisitions. This resulted in operating profit well ahead of prior year as higher activity levels combined with pricing progress and disciplined cost control offset higher energy and materials costs, as well as labour market constraints.

 

Construction Accessories

Proactive pricing actions by our Construction Accessories business resulted in sales ahead of prior year across all regions, with growth primarily driven by the UK, Germany and North America. Operating profit finished well ahead of prior year as commercial excellence measures successfully mitigated the impact of cost inflation.

 

 

Building Envelope (Discontinued Operations)

The commentary below refers to the trading results of Building Envelope, prior to its divestment in April 2022, compared to the same period in 2021.

 

Building Envelope delivered sales growth driven by C.R. Laurence and the aluminium glazing business. EBITDA was ahead of 2021 as a result of increased sales and margin expansion achieved through operating efficiencies.

Europe Materials

Analysis of change

$ million

2021

Exchange

Acquisitions

Divestments

Organic

2022

% change

Sales revenue

10,581

-1,151

+107

-44

+1,083

10,576

-

EBITDA

1,410

-157

+8

-4

+100

1,357

-4 %

Operating profit

814

-79

+1

-2

+90

824

+1 %

EBITDA/sales

13.3%





12.8%


Operating profit/sales

7.7%





7.8%


 

Europe Materials benefited from commercial management initiatives across all countries, which, along with a continued focus on cost savings, helped to mitigate significant energy and other input cost inflation, as well as the impact of the conflict in Ukraine. Like-for-like sales were 11% ahead reflecting continued strong pricing progress which offset the impact of lower activity levels. In 2022, EBITDA was $1.4 billion, 8% ahead on a like-for-like basis and operating profit was $0.8 billion, 12% ahead like-for-like. Unfavourable currency translation effects resulted in total sales in line with 2021, EBITDA -4% behind, and operating profit 1% ahead.

 

UK & Ireland

UK & Ireland sales and operating profit were well ahead of 2021 driven by strong pricing and ongoing performance optimisation initiatives. In the UK, aggregates and asphalt volumes were behind prior year due to lower paving activity, while readymixed concrete volumes benefited from an increase in project activity. Ireland primarily benefited from improved construction activity and pricing progress.

 

Europe North

Sales in Europe North (Finland, Germany and Switzerland) were in line with 2021 driven mainly by price increases which offset lower volumes, and a strong performance in our lime business. Like-for-like operating profit ended ahead of 2021 as improved pricing and cost savings actions compensated for an inflationary and volatile energy cost environment.

 

Europe West

Europe West (France, Benelux, Denmark and Spain) delivered sales slightly below 2021 due to softening volumes. Higher raw materials, energy and freight costs in all countries were offset by higher pricing, which, along with continued cost saving actions and commercial initiatives, saw like-for-like operating profit ahead of 2021.

 

Europe East

Sales in Europe East (Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, and Croatia) were ahead of prior year due to a strong focus on commercial actions to offset significant cost inflation. Poland, in particular, delivered sales and operating profit strongly ahead of 2021. Activity levels in Ukraine were impacted by the ongoing conflict and we continue to prioritise the support of our employees during this challenging time. Total operating profit in Europe East was behind prior year.

 

Asia

Sales in the Philippines ended the year behind 2021. Construction activity was impacted by a pre-election ban on construction and high cost inflation which slowed large infrastructure project activity. Price increases largely offset weaker volumes; however, operating profit was impacted by high energy and transportation costs which resulted in operating profit significantly below 2021.

 

CRH's operations include a 26% stake in Yatai Building Materials (reported within the Group's share of equity accounted investments) in China where the government's COVID-19 restrictions impacted many areas of the economy, including the construction sector. This resulted in sales and operating profit below 2021.

Other Financial Items

Depreciation and amortisation charges amounted to $1.7 billion, in line with prior year (2021: $1.7 billion).

 

Divestments and asset disposals from continuing operations generated a total loss on disposals of $49 million (2021: $116 million profit). Profit after tax on the divestment of the Building Envelope business amounted to $1.1 billion and is included in profit after tax from discontinued operations.

 

Net finance costs of $376 million were lower than 2021 (2021: $399 million) primarily as a result of higher interest income and lower debt levels offsetting increased interest expense driven by higher rates.

 

The Group's share of profit from equity accounted investments was $nil (2021: $55 million), primarily driven by the performance of the Group's associate in China where activity levels were impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

 

Profit before tax was $3.5 billion (2021: $3.1 billion), and the associated tax charge of $785 million (2021: $661 million) represented an effective tax rate of 22.6% (2021: 21.3%) on profit before tax, which was higher than prior year due to the tax impact of divestments.

 

Dividend

In addition to the interim dividend of $0.24 (2021: $0.23) per share which was paid in October 2022, the Board is recommending a final dividend of $1.03 per share. This would result in a total dividend of $1.27 for the year (2021: $1.21), an increase of 5.0% over 2021, in line with the Group's progressive dividend policy. Based on the EPS from continuing operations for the year this represents a dividend cover of 2.8x. It is proposed to pay the final dividend on 4 May 2023 to shareholders registered at close of business on 17 March 2023. The ex-dividend date will be 16 March 2023. The final dividend will be paid wholly in cash.

 

Share Buyback Programme

Reflecting our strong financial position and commitment to returning cash to shareholders, the Group continued its ongoing share buyback programme in 2022 repurchasing 29.8 million (2021: 17.8 million) ordinary shares for a total consideration of $1.2 billion (2021: $0.9 billion).

 

Our strong financial position and cash generation capabilities provides us with the opportunity to increase our cash returns to shareholders, while at the same time continuing to invest in our business and execute our strategic growth initiatives. Having carefully considered our near-term capital allocation opportunities, we intend to substantially increase our share buyback programme through the repurchase of up to $3 billion of CRH shares over the next 12 months4.

 

Consistent with the Group's disciplined approach to capital allocation, the increase in our share buyback programme demonstrates our confidence in the outlook for our business and our continued strong cash generation, while retaining the financial flexibility to invest in further growth and value creation opportunities for our shareholders. We remain committed to our progressive dividend policy and our strong investment grade credit rating.

 

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

2022 marked another year of strong cash generation for the Group with net cash inflow from operating activities of $4.0 billion (2021: $4.2 billion). Excluding higher tax outflows related to the Building Envelope divestment ($0.4 billion) net cash inflow from operating activities was higher than 2021 despite the impact of significant cost inflation on working capital. Year-end net debt of $5.1 billion (2021: $6.3 billion) reflects healthy inflows from operations, proceeds from the Building Envelope divestment, disciplined capital expenditure and value focused investments. Net debt to EBITDA was 0.9x (2021: 1.3x).

 

The Group ended 2022 with $5.9 billion of cash and cash equivalents on hand and $3.7 billion of undrawn committed facilities which are available until 2026. At year end, the Group had sufficient cash balances to meet all maturing debt obligations (including leases) for the next five years and the weighted average maturity of the remaining term debt was 12.2 years. The Group also has a $2.0 billion US Dollar Commercial Paper Programme and a €1.5 billion Euro Commercial Paper Programme of which there were no outstanding issued notes at year end. The Group continues to maintain its robust balance sheet and a strong investment grade credit rating with a BBB+ or equivalent rating with each of the three main rating agencies.

 

Investments and Divestments

In 2022 the Group invested $3.3 billion on 29 acquisitions (including deferred and contingent consideration in respect of prior year acquisitions). On the divestment front, the Group completed nine transactions and realised total business and asset disposal proceeds5 of $3.9 billion, primarily relating to the proceeds from the Building Envelope divestment.

 

Investments and Acquisitions

The largest acquisition in 2022 was in our Building Products Division where the Group completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of Barrette Outdoor Living, North America's leading provider of fencing and railing solutions. This acquisition complements and enhances our offering of sustainable outdoor living solutions in North America. In addition, Building Products completed a further seven acquisitions in the US and two in Europe, amounting to a total spend of c. $2.7 billion. The Americas Materials Division completed ten solutions-focused acquisitions in the US for a total spend of $0.5 billion, and the Europe Materials Division completed nine bolt-on acquisitions for $0.1 billion, the largest of which was the acquisition of a precast business in Denmark.

 

 

Divestments and Disposals

The largest divestment in 2022 was the Building Envelope business for cash proceeds of $3.5 billion (enterprise value of $3.8 billion including lease liabilities transferred of $0.3 billion). A further eight divestments were completed across the Group, realising total proceeds of $0.2 billion. In addition to these business divestments, the Group realised proceeds of $0.1 billion from the disposal of surplus property, plant and equipment and other non-current assets.

 

4 In accordance with the applicable authority considered annually by shareholders to repurchase CRH ordinary shares.

5 Net of cash disposed and including deferred consideration proceeds in respect of prior year divestments.

 

 

Listing Considerations

 

Through the active reshaping and repositioning of CRH's business over the last decade, North America now represents approximately 75% of Group EBITDA. The US is expected to be a key driver of future growth for CRH and our exposure to this market is likely to increase further driven by substantial increases in infrastructure funding, a renewed drive for the onshoring of manufacturing activity and significant levels of under-build in the residential construction market.

 

We communicate frequently with our stakeholders regarding our future strategy, our portfolio of businesses and how we keep our listing arrangements regularly under review.

 

We have now come to the conclusion that a US primary listing would bring increased commercial, operational and acquisition opportunities for CRH, further accelerating our successful integrated solutions strategy and delivering even higher levels of profitability, returns and cash for our shareholders.

 

In the coming weeks we will outline to our shareholders why we are recommending that it is in the best interests of our business and our shareholders to pursue a primary listing of CRH, together with US equity index inclusion as soon as possible.

 

This change in listing structure will have no impact on CRH plc, which will remain headquartered, incorporated and tax-resident in Ireland. 

 

We will provide a further update as part of our trading statement on Wednesday 26 April 2023.

 

 


 

Primary Financial Statements

and

Summarised N otes

Year ended 31 December 2022

Consolidated Income Statement

for the financial year ended 31 December 2022


 

 

Restated (i)



2022

 

2021



$m

 

$m


 

 

 



Revenue

32,723

 

29,206


Cost of sales

(21,844)

 

(19,350)


Gross profit

10,879

 

9,856


Operating costs

(6,985)

 

(6,525)


Group operating profit

3,894

 

3,331


(Loss)/profit on disposals

(49)

 

116


Profit before finance costs

3,845

 

3,447


Finance costs

(401)

 

(357)


Finance income

65

 

-


Other financial expense

(40)

 

(42)


Share of equity accounted investments' profit

-

 

55


Profit before tax from continuing operations

3,469

 

3,103


Income tax expense

(785)

 

(661)


Group profit for the financial year from continuing operations

2,684

 

2,442


Profit after tax for the financial year from discontinued operations

1,190

 

179


Group profit for the financial year

3,874

 

2,621


 

 

 



Profit attributable to:

 

 



 

 

 



Equity holders of the Company

 

 



From continuing operations

2,657

 

2,386


From discontinued operations

1,190

 

179


Non-controlling interests

 

 



From continuing operations

27

 

56


Group profit for the financial year

3,874

 

2,621



 

 



Basic earnings per Ordinary Share

$5.07

 

$3.29


Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share

$5.03

 

$3.26



 

 



Basic earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations

$3.50

 

$3.06


Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations

$3.48

 

$3.03


 

(i)  Restated to show the results of our former Building Envelope business in discontinued operations. See note 8 for further details.

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the financial year ended 31 December 2022


2022


2021



$m


$m


 

 




Group profit for the financial year

3,874


2,621


 

 




Other comprehensive income

 




Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years:

 




Currency translation effects

(641)


(338)


Gains relating to cash flow hedges

66


34


Tax relating to cash flow hedges

(14)


(8)



(589)


(312)


Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years:

 




Remeasurement of retirement benefit obligations

279


264


Tax relating to retirement benefit obligations

(63)


(36)



216


228



 




Total other comprehensive income for the financial year

(373)


(84)


Total comprehensive income for the financial year

3,501


2,537



 




Attributable to:

 




Equity holders of the Company

3,520


2,516


Non-controlling interests

(19)


21


Total comprehensive income for the financial year

3,501


2,537


 



Consolidated Balance Sheet

as at 31 December 2022


 




2022


2021

 

$m


$m

ASSETS

 



Non-current assets

 



Property, plant and equipment

18,921


19,502

Intangible assets

10,287


9,848

Investments accounted for using the equity method

649


653

Other financial assets

14


12

Other receivables

164


239

Retirement benefit assets

261


166

Derivative financial instruments

3


97

Deferred income tax assets

88


109

Total non-current assets

30,387


30,626

 

 



Current assets

 



Inventories

4,194


3,611

Trade and other receivables

4,569


4,569

Current income tax recoverable

63


42

Derivative financial instruments

39


39

Cash and cash equivalents

5,936


5,783

Total current assets

14,801


14,044

 

 



Total assets

45,188


44,670

 

 



EQUITY

 



Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders

 



Equity share capital

302


309

Preference share capital

1


1

Treasury Shares and own shares

(297)


(195)

Other reserves

380


445

Cash flow hedging reserve

5


-

Foreign currency translation reserve

(692)


(97)

Retained income

21,992


19,770

Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders

21,691


20,233

Non-controlling interests

646


681

Total equity

22,337


20,914

 

 



LIABILITIES

 



Non-current liabilities

 



Lease liabilities

1,059


1,374

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

8,145


9,938

Derivative financial instruments

77


-

Deferred income tax liabilities

2,868


2,734

Other payables

691


717

Retirement benefit obligations

277


475

Provisions for liabilities

845


937

Total non-current liabilities

13,962


16,175

 

 



Current liabilities

 



Lease liabilities

260


297

Trade and other payables

5,872


5,692

Current income tax liabilities

702


550

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

1,491


549

Derivative financial instruments

51


14

Provisions for liabilities

513


479

Total current liabilities

8,889


7,581

Total liabilities

22,851


23,756

 

 



Total equity and liabilities

45,188

 

44,670



Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

for the financial year ended 31 December 2022

 

Attributable to the equity holders of the Company

 

 

 

Issued

share

capital

$m

Share

premium

account

$m

Treasury

Shares/

own

shares

$m

Other

reserves

$m

Cash flow hedging reserve

$m

Foreign

currency

translation

reserve

$m

Retained

income

$m

Non-

controlling

interests

$m

Total

equity

$m


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2022

310

-

(195)

445

-

(97)

19,770

681

20,914

Group profit for the financial year

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,847

27

3,874

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

66

(595)

202

(46)

(373)

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

66

(595)

4,049

(19)

3,501

Reclassifications

-

-

-

-

35

-

(35)

-

-

Share-based payment expense

-

-

-

101

-

-

-

-

101

Shares acquired by CRH plc (Treasury Shares)

-

-

(1,170)

-

-

-

17

-

(1,153)

Treasury Shares/own shares reissued

-

-

24

-

-

-

(24)

-

-

Shares acquired by Employee Benefit Trust (own shares)

-

-

(8)

-

-

-

-

-

(8)

Shares distributed under the Performance Share Plan Awards

-

-

173

(173)

-

-

-

-

-

Cancellation of Treasury Shares

(7)

-

879

7

-

-

(879)

-

-

Hedging gains transferred to inventory

-

-

-

-

(96)

-

-

-

(96)

Tax relating to cash flow hedges

-

-

-

-

-

-

17

-

17

Tax relating to share-based payment expense

-

-

-

-

-

-

(3)

-

(3)

Share option exercises

-

-

-

-

-

-

11

-

11

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

(931)

(13)

(944)

Transactions involving non-controlling interests

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(3)

(3)

At 31 December 2022

303

-

(297)

380

5

(692)

21,992

646

22,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for the financial year ended 31 December 2021

At 1 January 2021

334

7,493

(386)

444

-

206

11,565

692

20,348

Group profit for the financial year

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,565

56

2,621

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

(303)

254

(35)

(84)

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

(303)

2,819

21

2,537

Share-based payment expense

-

-

-

110

-

-

-

-

110

Shares acquired by CRH plc (Treasury Shares)

-

-

(880)

-

-

-

(281)

-

(1,161)

Treasury Shares/own shares reissued

-

-

19

-

-

-

(19)

-

-

Shares acquired by Employee Benefit Trust (own shares)

-

-

(16)

-

-

-

-

-

(16)

Shares distributed under the Performance Share Plan Awards

-

-

117

(117)

-

-

-

-

-

Reduction in Share Premium

-

(7,493)

-

-

-

-

7,493

-

-

Cancellation of Income Shares

(16)

-

-

-

-

-

16

-

-

Cancellation of Treasury Shares

(8)

-

951

8

-

-

(951)

-

-

Tax relating to share-based payment expense

-

-

-

-

-

-

24

-

24

Share option exercises

-

-

-

-

-

-

13

-

13

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

(909)

(32)

(941)

At 31 December 2021

310

-

(195)

445

-

(97)

19,770

681

20,914

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the financial year ended 31 December 2022


 


Restated (i)



2022


2021



$m


$m


Cash flows from operating activities

 




Group profit for the financial year

3,874


2,621


Finance costs (net)

382


417


Share of equity accounted investments' profit

-


(55)


Profit on disposals

(1,422)


(119)


Depreciation charge

1,644


1,691


Amortisation of intangible assets

113


74


Share-based payment expense

101


110


Income tax expense

1,155


721


Other

42


21


Net movement in inventories, receivables, payables and provisions

(518)


(228)


Cash generated from operations

5,371


5,253


Interest paid (including leases)

(374)


(401)


Corporation tax paid

(1,043)


(642)


Net cash inflow from operating activities

3,954


4,210



 




Cash flows from investing activities

 




Proceeds from disposals (net of cash disposed and deferred proceeds)

3,827


387


Interest received

65


-


Dividends received from equity accounted investments

36


32


Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(1,523)


(1,554)


Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired)

(3,253)


(1,494)


Other investments and advances

(45)


(4)


Net cash flow arising from derivative financial instruments

(11)


-


Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration paid

(32)


(33)


Deferred divestment consideration received

52


120


Net cash outflow from investing activities

(884)


(2,546)


 

 




Cash flows from financing activities

 




Proceeds from exercise of share options

11


13


Transactions involving non-controlling interests

(3)


-


Increase in interest-bearing loans and borrowings

38


-


Net cash flow arising from derivative financial instruments

(11)


(37)


Repayment of interest-bearing loans and borrowings

(364)


(1,183)


Repayment of lease liabilities (ii)

(249)


(264)


Treasury Shares/own shares purchased

(1,178)


(896)


Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company

(917)


(906)


Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

(13)


(32)


Net cash outflow from financing activities

(2,686)


(3,305)


 

 




Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

384

 

(1,641)


 

 




Reconciliation of opening to closing cash and cash equivalents

 




Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

5,783


7,721


Translation adjustment

(231)


(297)


Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

384


(1,641)


Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

5,936


5,783


 

(i)  See the Basis of Preparation and Accounting Policies on page 14 for further details.

(ii)  Repayment of lease liabilities amounted to $297 million (2021: $328 million), of which $48 million (2021: $64 million) related to interest paid which is presented in cash flows from operating activities.



 

Supplementary Information

Selected Explanatory Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1.  Basis of Preparation and Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Preparation

The financial information presented in this report has been prepared in accordance with the Group's accounting policies under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

 

Certain prior year disclosures have been amended to conform to current year presentation. An amount of $46 million relating to the unwinding of the discount element of lease liabilities has been reclassified from other financial expense to finance costs in the period ended 31 December 2021 to align with current year presentation. This has no impact on total net finance costs or any other financial statement line items for any of the periods presented.

 

Adoption of IFRS and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations

The following standard amendments became effective for the Group as of 1 January 2022:

 

· Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations - Reference to the Conceptual Framework

· Amendments to IAS16 Property, Plant and Equipment - Proceeds before Intended Use

· Amendments to IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets - Onerous Contracts - Costs of Fulfilling a Contract

· Annual Improvements 2018 - 2020 Cycle

 

The standard amendments did not result in a material impact on the Group's results.

 

Voluntary Change in Accounting Policy

For the period ended 31 December 2022, the Group retrospectively adopted a voluntary change in accounting policy in accordance with IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors with respect to the presentation of operating cash flows under IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows. The impact of this change is to replace "Profit before tax" with "Group profit for the financial year" as the starting point for the reconciliation to net cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The new presentation reconciles net cash flows from operating activities on a total Group basis, including both continuing and discontinued operations. This has no impact on net cash inflow from operating activities or any other financial statement line items for any of the periods presented.

 

Translation of Foreign Currencies

The financial information is presented in US Dollar millions. Results and cash flows of operations with non-US Dollar functional currencies have been translated into US Dollar at average exchange rates for the year, and the related balance sheets have been translated at the rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. The principal rates used for the translation of results, cash flows and balance sheets into US Dollar were:

 

 

Average

 

Year end

US Dollar 1 =

2022

2021

 

2022

2021


 



 


Brazilian Real

5.1648

5.3968


5.2794

5.5716

Canadian Dollar

1.3017

1.2538


1.3535

1.2716

Chinese Renminbi

6.7334

6.4493


6.8987

6.3513

Danish Krone

7.0805

6.2919


6.9662

6.5652

Euro

0.9518

0.8460


0.9368

0.8829

Hungarian Forint

373.1682

303.3739


375.1400

325.9300

Indian Rupee

78.6295

73.9391


82.7211

74.3009

Philippine Peso

54.5318

49.2983


55.7290

50.9800

Polish Zloty

4.4631

3.8633


4.3881

4.0579

Pound Sterling

0.8120

0.7270


0.8310

0.7417

Romanian Leu

4.6930

4.1641


4.6357

4.3692

Serbian Dinar

111.7836

99.4732


109.8553

103.7590

Swiss Franc

0.9551

0.9145


0.9230

0.9119

Ukrainian Hryvnia

32.6730

27.2588


36.9172

27.2850



 

2.  Key Components of 2022 Performance

Continuing operations

 

$ million

Sales revenue

EBITDA

Operating profit

Profit/(loss) on disposals

Finance costs (net)

Assoc. and JV PAT (i)

Pre-tax profit









2021

29,206

4,990

3,331

116

(399)

55

3,103

Exchange effects

(1,359)

(168)

(82)

(2)

19

(3)

(68)

2021 at 2022 rates

27,847

4,822

3,249

114

(380)

52

3,035

Incremental impact in 2022 of:








2021/2022 acquisitions

1,739

402

275

-

(55)

-

220

2021/2022 divestments

(108)

(17)

(13)

(177)

47

-

(143)

Organic

3,245

408

383

14

12

(52)

357

2022

32,723

5,615

3,894

(49)

(376)

-

3,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% Total change

12%

13%

17%

 

 

 

12%

% Organic change

12%

8%

12%

 

 

 

12%

 

(i)  CRH's share of after-tax results of joint ventures and associated undertakings.

 

3.  Seasonality

Activity in the construction industry is characterised by cyclicality and is dependent to a considerable extent on the seasonal impact of weather in the Group's operating locations, with activity in some markets reduced significantly in winter due to inclement weather. First‑half sales accounted for 46% of full-year 2022 (2021: 45%), while EBITDA for the first six months of 2022 represented 39% of the full-year out-turn (2021: 36%).


4.  Revenue

 

A.  Disaggregated revenue

In the following tables, revenue is disaggregated by primary geographic market and by principal activities and products. Due to the diversified nature of the Group, the basis on which management reviews its businesses varies across the Group. Geography is the primary basis for the Americas Materials and Europe Materials businesses; while activities and products are used for the Building Products businesses.

 

Revenue from external customers (as defined in IFRS 8 Operating Segments) attributable to the country of domicile and all foreign countries of operation greater than 10% are included below. Further operating segment disclosures are set out in note 5.

 

 

Year ended 31 December

 

Americas Materials

Building Products

Europe Materials

Total


Americas Materials

Building Products

Europe Materials

Total

 

2022

2022

2022

2022


2021

2021

2021

2021

 

$m

$m

$m

$m


$m

$m

$m

$m

Primary geographic markets

 

 

 

 






Continuing operations

 

 

 

 






Republic of Ireland (country of domicile)

-

-

801

801


-

-

706

706

United Kingdom

-

238

4,003

4,241


-

220

3,979

4,199

Rest of Europe (i)

-

1,074

5,219

6,293


-

1,073

5,243

6,316

United States

13,050

6,038

-

19,088


11,172

4,446

-

15,618

Rest of World (ii)

1,274

473

553

2,300


1,235

479

653

2,367

Total Group from continuing operations

14,324

7,823

10,576

32,723


12,407

6,218

10,581

29,206


 

 

 

 






Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 






United Kingdom - Building Envelope

-

7

-

7


-

24

-

24

Rest of Europe (i) - Building Envelope

-

4

-

4


-

12

-

12

United States - Building Envelope

-

576

-

576


-

1,575

-

1,575

Rest of World (ii) - Building Envelope

-

58

-

58


-

164

-

164

Total Group from discontinued operations

-

645

-

645


-

1,775

-

1,775

 

Footnotes (i) and (ii) appear on page 17.



 

4.  Revenue - continued

 

 

Year ended 31 December

 

 

Americas Materials

(iii)

BuildingProducts

Europe Materials

(iii)

Total


Americas Materials

(iii)

Building Products

Europe Materials

(iii)

Total

 

2022

2022

2022

2022


2021

2021

2021

2021


$m

$m

$m

$m


$m

$m

$m

$m

 

 

 

 

 






Principal activities and products

 

 

 

 






Continuing operations

 

 

 

 






Cement, lime and cement products

1,554

-

3,481

5,035


1,483

-

3,463

4,946

Aggregates, asphalt and readymixed products

6,979

-

3,515

10,494


6,262

-

3,606

9,868

Construction contract activities*

5,791

88

2,101

7,980


4,662

92

2,065

6,819

Architectural products

-

4,409

1,308

5,717


-

3,790

1,264

5,054

Infrastructure products

-

2,531

171

2,702


-

1,605

183

1,788

Construction accessories

-

795

-

795


-

731

-

731

Total Group from continuing operations

14,324

7,823

10,576

32,723


12,407

6,218

10,581

29,206

 

 

 

 

 






Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 






Construction contract activities* - Building Envelope

-

16

-

16


-

83

-

83

Architectural glass and glazing systems and related hardware - Building Envelope

-

629

-

629


-

1,692

-

1,692

Total Group from discontinued operations

-

645

-

645


-

1,775

-

1,775












 

 

  * Revenue principally recognised over time. Construction contracts are generally completed within the same financial reporting year.

 

Footnotes to revenue disaggregation on pages 16 & 17

(i)  The Rest of Europe principally includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.

(ii)  The Rest of World principally includes Australia, Brazil, Canada and the Philippines.

(iii)  Americas Materials and Europe Materials both operate vertically integrated businesses, which are founded in resource-backed cement and aggregates assets and which support the manufacture and supply of aggregates, asphalt, cement, readymixed and precast concrete and landscaping products. Accordingly, for the purpose of disaggregation of revenue we have included certain products together, as this is how management reviews and evaluates this business line.

 

B.  Unsatisfied long-term construction contracts and other performance obligations

Revenue yet to be recognised from long-term construction contracts, primarily within our Americas Materials and Europe Materials businesses, amounted to $3,742 million at 31 December 2022 (2021: $3,177 million). The Group has applied the practical expedient set out in IFRS 15 Revenue from Contractswith Customers whereby revenue yet to be recognised on contracts that had an original expected duration of less than one year is not disclosed. The majority of open contracts at 31 December 2022 will close and revenue will be recognised within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

5.  Segment Information

 

Effective 1 January 2023 the Group restructured into two Divisions, CRH Americas and CRH Europe. During the first quarter of 2023, the Group's reportable segments increased from three to the following four segments: Americas Materials Solutions, Americas Building Solutions, Europe Materials Solutions and Europe Building Solutions. This realignment reflects the way resources are allocated and performance is assessed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

In the Group's financial reporting for 2023 comparative information for 2021 and 2022 will be restated to reflect the changes in reportable segments. The segmental information presented is based on the segment structure as at 31 December 2022 being Americas Materials, Building Products and Europe Materials.

 

The change in segment reporting post year end does not have a financial impact on the Group's Consolidated Financial Statements.


2022

 

2021


$m

%

 

$m

%

Revenue

 

 

 



Continuing operations

 

 

 



Americas Materials

14,324

43.8

 

12,407

42.5

Building Products

7,823

23.9

 

6,218

21.3

Europe Materials

10,576

32.3

 

10,581

36.2

Total Group from continuing operations

32,723

100.0

 

29,206

100.0

 

 

 

 



Discontinued operations

 

 

 



Building Products - Building Envelope

645

 

 

1,775


Total Group from discontinued operations

645

 

 

1,775


 

 

 

 



EBITDA

 

 

 



Continuing operations

 

 

 



Americas Materials

2,748

48.9

 

2,588

51.9

Building Products

1,510

26.9

 

992

19.9

Europe Materials

1,357

24.2

 

1,410

28.2

Total Group from continuing operations

5,615

100.0

 

4,990

100.0

 

 

 

 



Discontinued operations

 

 

 



Building Products - Building Envelope

131

 

 

360


Total Group from discontinued operations

131

 

 

360


 

 

 

 



Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

 

 

 



Continuing operations

 

 

 



Americas Materials

839

48.7

 

800

48.2

Building Products

349

20.3

 

263

15.9

Europe Materials

533

31.0

 

596

35.9

Total Group from continuing operations

1,721

100.0

 

1,659

100.0

 

 

 

 



Group Operating profit

 

 

 



Continuing operations

 

 

 



Americas Materials

1,909

49.0

 

1,788

53.7

Building Products

1,161

29.8

 

729

21.9

Europe Materials

824

21.2

 

814

24.4

Total Group from continuing operations

3,894

100.0

 

3,331

100.0

 



 

5.  Segment Information - continued

 


2022

 

2021


$m

 

$m

Reconciliation of Group operating profit to profit before tax:

 



Continuing operations

 



Group operating profit

3,894


3,331

(Loss)/profit on disposals (i)

(49)


116

Profit before finance costs

3,845


3,447

Finance costs less income

(336)


(357)

Other financial expense

(40)


(42)

Share of equity accounted investments' profit

-


55

Profit before tax from continuing operations

3,469


3,103

 

 



(i)  (Loss)/profit on disposals

 



Americas Materials

38

 

126

Building Products

3

 

(27)

Europe Materials

(90)

 

17

Total Group from continuing operations

(49)

 

116

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

$m

%

 

$m

%

Total assets

 





Americas Materials

17,609

45.8


17,064

45.0

Building Products

9,165

23.9


8,504

22.4

Europe Materials

11,622

30.3


12,367

32.6

Subtotal

38,396

100.0


37,935

100.0


 

 




Reconciliation to total assets as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:

 

 




Investments accounted for using the equity method

649

 


653


Other financial assets

14

 


12


Derivative financial instruments (current and non-current)

42

 


136


Income tax assets (current and deferred)

151

 


151


Cash and cash equivalents

5,936

 


5,783


Total assets as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

45,188

 


44,670



 

 




Total liabilities

 

 




Americas Materials

3,227

33.9


3,292

33.0

Building Products

2,045

21.5


2,579

25.9

Europe Materials

4,245

44.6


4,100

41.1

Subtotal

9,517

100.0


9,971

100.0


 

 




Reconciliation to total liabilities as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:

 

 




Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (current and non-current)

9,636

 


10,487


Derivative financial instruments (current and non-current)

128

 


14


Income tax liabilities (current and deferred)

3,570

 


3,284


Total liabilities as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

22,851

 


23,756


 



 

6.  Earnings per Ordinary Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per Ordinary Share is set out below:


2022

 

2021

 

$m

 

$m

Numerator computations

 

 


Group profit for the financial year

3,874


2,621

Profit attributable to non-controlling interests

(27)


(56)

Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company - numerator for basic/diluted earnings per Ordinary Share

3,847


2,565

Profit after tax for the financial year from discontinued operations - attributable to equity holders of the Company

1,190


179

Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company - numerator for basic/diluted earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations

2,657


2,386

 

 



 

Number of


Number of

 

Shares


shares

Denominator computations

 



Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares (millions) outstanding for the year

758.3


780.2

Effect of dilutive potential Ordinary Shares (employee share awards) (millions)

5.8


6.6

Denominator for diluted earnings per Ordinary Share

764.1


786.8


 



Earnings per Ordinary Share

 



 - basic

$5.07


$3.29

 - diluted

$5.03


$3.26


 



Earnings per Ordinary Share from continuing operations

 



 - basic

$3.50


$3.06

 - diluted

$3.48


$3.03

 

7.  Dividends

 

 

2022


2021

Net dividend paid per share

$1.22


$1.16

Net dividend declared for the year

$1.27


$1.21

Dividend cover - continuing operations

2.8x


2.5x

The Board is recommending a final dividend of $1.03 per share. This would give a total dividend of $1.27 for the year (2021: $1.21), an increase of 5% over last year.

Existing currency elections and currency payment defaults will remain in place unless revoked or otherwise amended by certificated shareholders. Therefore, the final dividend will be paid in euro, Pound Sterling and US Dollar to shareholders in accordance with their existing payment instructions. If no such instructions are in place, the currency for dividend payments will be based on shareholders' addresses on CRH's Share Register, or will, in the case of shares held in the Euroclear Bank system, continue to be paid automatically in euro, unless a currency election is made for the final dividend. Investors holding CREST Depositary Interests (CDIs) should refer to the CREST International Service Description. In respect of the final dividend, the latest date for receipt of currency elections (and DWT exemption forms) is 31 March 2023. Earlier closing dates may apply to holders in Euroclear Bank and in CREST.

If shareholders receive dividend payments in euro or Pound Sterling, the exchange rate is expected to be set on Thursday, 20 April 2023.



 

8.  Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

 

A. Profit on disposal of discontinued operations

In April 2022, the Group completed the divestment of its Building Envelope business, formerly part of our Building Products segment. With the exception of our Building Envelope business, no other businesses divested during 2022 are considered to be either separate major lines of business or geographical areas of operation and therefore do not constitute discontinued operations as defined in IFRS 5 Non-Current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

 

No businesses met the IFRS 5 held for sale criteria at 31 December 2022.

The table below sets out the proceeds and related profit recognised on divestment which were included in profit after tax for the financial year from discontinued operations.


2022

 

$m

Assets/(liabilities) disposed of at net carrying amount:

 

- non-current assets*

2,016

- cash and cash equivalents

27

- inventories, receivables, payables and provisions

406

- lease liabilities

(338)

- interest-bearing loans and borrowings

(6)

- deferred tax

(42)

- retirement benefit obligations

(14)

Net assets disposed

2,049

Reclassification of currency translation effects on disposal

5

Total

2,054

Proceeds from disposal (net of disposal costs)

3,525

Profit on disposal from discontinued operations

1,471


 

Net cash inflow arising on disposal

 

Proceeds from disposal from discontinued operations

3,525

Less: cash and cash equivalents disposed

(27)

Total

3,498

 

 

*Non-current assets comprise property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and investments accounted for using the equity method .



 

8.  Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - continued

 

B. Results of discontinued operations

The results of the discontinued operations included in the Group profit for the financial year are set out as follows:


2022


2021

 

$m


$m

Revenue

645


1,775

Cost of sales (i)

(412)


(1,143)

Gross profit

233


632

Operating costs (i)

(138)


(378)

Operating profit

95


254

Profit on disposals

1,471


3

Profit before finance costs

1,566


257

Finance costs

(6)


(18)

Profit before tax

1,560


239

Attributable income tax expense (ii)

(370)


(60)

Profit after tax for the financial year from discontinued operations

1,190


179


 



Profit attributable to:

 



Equity holders of the Company

1,190


179

Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations

1,190


179


 



Basic earnings per Ordinary Share from discontinued operations

$1.57


$0.23

Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share from discontinued operations

$1.55


$0.23

 

 



Cash flows from discontinued operations

 



Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (iii)

(435)


234

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities (iv)

3,446


(102)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(6)


(28)

 

(i)  The depreciation and amortisation charge for discontinued operations amounted to $26 million and $10 million respectively

(2021: $78 million and $28 million).

(ii)  2022 attributable income tax expense includes $347 million relating to the profit on disposal of discontinued operations.

(iii)  Includes the corporation tax paid on the sale of discontinued operations.

(iv)  Includes the proceeds from the disposal of discontinued operations.



 

9.  Business and Non-Current Asset Disposals

 

 

Business disposals


Disposal of other non-current assets


Total

 

2022

2021


2022

2021


2022

2021

Continuing operations

$m

$m


$m

$m


$m

$m

Net assets disposed

321

188


65

80


386

268

Reclassification of currency translation effects on disposal

(4)

29


-

-


(4)

29

Total

317

217


65

80


382

297

Proceeds from disposals (net of disposal costs)

218

295


115

118


333

413

(Loss)/profit on disposals from continuing operations

(99)

78


50

38


(49)

116


 



 



 


Discontinued operations

 



 



 


Profit on disposals from discontinued operations (note 8)

1,471

-


-

3


1,471

3


 



 



 



 



 



 


Net cash inflow arising on disposal

 



 



 


Continuing operations

 



 



 


Proceeds from disposals from continuing operations

218

295


115

118


333

413

Less: cash and cash equivalents disposed

(4)

(31)


-

-


(4)

(31)

Less: deferred proceeds arising on disposal

-

(1)


-

-


-

(1)

Net cash inflow arising on disposal from continuing operations

214

263


115

118


329

381


 



 



 


Discontinued operations

 



 



 


Net cash inflow arising on disposal from discontinued operations

3,498

-


-

6


3,498

6

Total Group net cash inflow arising on disposal

3,712

263

 

115

124

 

3,827

387

 



 

10.  Net Finance Costs

Continuing operations

 

 

2022


2021


$m


$m


 



Finance costs

401


357

Finance income

(65)


-

Net other financial expense

40


42

Total net finance costs

376


399


 



The overall total is analysed as follows:

 



Net finance costs on interest-bearing loans and borrowings including leases and cash and cash equivalents

337


361

Net credit re change in fair value of derivatives and fixed rate debt

(1)


(4)

Finance costs less income

336


357

Unwinding of discount element of provisions for liabilities

16


18

Unwinding of discount applicable to deferred and contingent acquisition consideration

20


20

Unwinding of discount applicable to deferred divestment proceeds

(8)


(12)

Unwinding of discount applicable to leased mineral reserves

6


6

Pension-related finance cost (net) (note 15)

6


10

Total net finance costs

376


399

 



11.  Net Debt

 


2022


2021


Book value

Fair

value


Book value

Fair

value

 

$m

$m


$m

$m

Non-current assets

 

 




Derivative financial instruments

3

3


97

97

Current assets

 

 




Cash and cash equivalents

5,936

5,936


5,783

5,783

Derivative financial instruments

39

39


39

39

Non-current liabilities

 

 




Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (i)

(8,145)

(7,517)


(9,938)

(10,786)

Lease liabilities

(1,059)

(1,059)


(1,374)

(1,374)

Derivative financial instruments

(77)

(77)


-

-

Current liabilities

 

 




Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (i)

(1,491)

(1,484)


(549)

(554)

Lease liabilities

(260)

(260)


(297)

(297)

Derivative financial instruments

(51)

(51)


(14)

(14)

Group net debt

(5,105)

(4,470)


(6,253)

(7,106)

 

(i)  Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are Level 2 instruments whose fair value is derived from quoted market prices.

 



 

11.  Net Debt - continued

 

Gross debt, net of derivatives, matures as follows:

 




2022


2021


$m


$m

Within one year

1,763


821

Between one and two years

881


1,642

Between two and three years

1,403


866

Between three and four years

920


1,399

Between four and five years

982


971

After five years

5,092


6,337

Total

11,041


12,036

 

Reconciliation of opening to closing net debt:

 

31 December 2022

At 1 January Book value

Cash flow

Movement attributable to acquired companies

Movement attributable to disposed companies

Mark-to-market and other

non-cash adjustments

Translation adjustment

At 31 December Book value


$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

Cash and cash equivalents

5,783

393

22

(31)

-

(231)

5,936


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

(10,487)

326

(8)

6

159

368

(9,636)

Lease liabilities

(1,671)

249

(107)

342

(189)

57

(1,319)

Derivative financial instruments - financing

122

11

-

-

(194)

(9)

(70)

Liabilities from financing activities

(12,036)

586

(115)

348

(224)

416

(11,025)

Derivative financial instruments - non-financing

-

(58)

-

-

38

4

(16)

Group net debt

(6,253)

921

(93)

317

(186)

189

(5,105)









The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

 








31 December 2021








Cash and cash equivalents

7,721

(1,617)

7

(31)

-

(297)

5,783

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

(12,215)

1,183

(3)

-

90

458

(10,487)

Lease liabilities

(1,635)

264

(88)

3

(249)

34

(1,671)

Derivative financial instruments (net)

188

37

-

-

(52)

(51)

122

Group net debt

(5,941)

(133)

(84)

(28)

(211)

144

(6,253)

 

 

Market capitalisation

Market capitalisation, calculated as the year end share price multiplied by the number of Ordinary Shares in issue, is as follows:

 


2022


2021


$m


$m

Market capitalisation - Euronext Dublin (i)

29,462


40,593

 

(i)  The market capitalisation figure of €27.6 billion (2021: €35.9 billion), based on the euro denominated share price per CRH's listing on Euronext Dublin, was translated to US Dollar using the relevant closing rates as noted in the principal foreign exchange rates table in note 1.



 

11.  Net Debt - continued

 

Liquidity information - borrowing facilities

The Group manages its borrowing ability by entering into committed borrowing agreements. Revolving committed bank facilities are generally available to the Group for periods of up to five years from the date of inception. The undrawn committed facilities figures shown in the table below represent the facilities available to be drawn by the Group at 31 December 2022.


2022


2021


$m


$m

Within one year

-


19

Between three and four years

3,736


-

Between four and five years

9


3,964

Total

3,745


3,983

 

Net debt metrics

The net debt metrics based on net debt as shown in note 11 are as follows:

 

 


 

2022


2021


 



Net debt as a percentage of market capitalisation

17%


15%

Net debt as a percentage of total equity

23%


30%

 

12.  Future Purchase Commitments for Property, Plant and Equipment

 


2022


2021 (i)


$m


$m


 



Contracted for but not provided in the financial statements

862


628

Authorised by the Directors but not contracted for

530


417

 

(i)  Includes contracted for but not provided for and authorised by the Directors but not contracted for commitments of $11 million and $25 million respectively relating to discontinued operations.

 

13.  Related Party Transactions

 

Sales to and purchases from joint ventures and associates are as follows:

 

 

  Joint Ventures


  Associates

 

2022


2021

 

2022

 

2021

 

$m


$m


 

$m

Continuing operations

 




 

 


Sales

192


157


45

 

42

Purchases

41


29


20

 

19

 

Loans extended by the Group to joint ventures and associates are included in financial assets. Amounts receivable from and payable to equity accounted investments (arising from the aforementioned sales and purchases transactions) as at the balance sheet date are included in trade and other receivables and trade and other payables respectively in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.



 

14.  Business Combinations

The acquisitions completed during the year ended 31 December 2022 by reportable segment, together with the completion dates, are detailed below; these transactions entailed the acquisition of an effective 100% stake except where indicated to the contrary:

Americas Materials:

Alabama: North Alabama Paving, Inc. (30 June);

Arkansas: Marion County Paving (18 March);

Colorado: Granby Sand & Gravel (31 March);

Florida: certain assets of Kudzue 3 Trucking, Inc. (11 March);

Kentucky: Hinkle Contracting, LLC (13 May);

Mississippi: Krystal Gravel, Inc. (23 December);

Texas: LD Construction Company and PTSS Investments, LLC (2 December) and Moore Brothers Construction Company (16 December);

Utah: Chapman Construction (16 December); and

West Virginia: Jefferson Asphalt Products Company (23 September).

Building Products:

Substantial Acquisition: on 8 July, CRH acquired Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc. (Barrette), North America's leading provider of residential fencing and railing solutions headquartered in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, US. The assets acquired are all in the US and are expected to enhance our existing offering of sustainable outdoor living solutions in North America.

Americas

California: Calstone Company (29 March);

Ohio: Normandy Industries, Inc. (21 October);

South Carolina: Sterling Sand, LLC (19 October);

Texas: certain assets of Rinker Materials (18 April); Soil Mender Products (25 July); and Inwesco, Inc. (12 December); and

West Virginia: Grant County Mulch, Inc. (19 December).

Other

Ireland: RS Sockets Ltd. (15 December); and

Poland: certain assets of Libet Company (2 September).

Europe Materials:

Croatia: Thermostone (1 April);

Denmark: Confac Holdings A/S (1 April) and Gunderup (1 December);

Finland: Terrawise Oy Stone Aggregates (31 May);

Poland: Mabau Group (75%, 21 March);

Romania: certain assets of SUT-ICIM and Irca SRL (23 February) and Simbeton SRL (29 July); and

Slovakia: certain assets of U.S. Steel Košice, s.r.o. (1 January) and certain assets of COLAS Slovakia, a.s. (10 January).

 



 

14.  Business Combinations - continued

 

The identifiable net assets acquired, including adjustments to provisional fair values, were as follows:

 


Barrette

Other acquisitions

Total



2022

2022

2022

2021

ASSETS

$m

$m

$m

$m

Non-current assets

 

 

 


Property, plant and equipment

309

597

906

609

Intangible assets (i)

809

178

987

131

Equity accounted investments

-

28

28

-

Total non-current assets

1,118

803

1,921

740

 

 

 

 


Current assets

 

 

 


Inventories

247

128

375

157

Trade and other receivables (ii)

168

59

227

191

Cash and cash equivalents

8

14

22

7

Total current assets

423

201

624

355

 

 

 

 


LIABILITIES

 

 

 


Trade and other payables

(148)

(47)

(195)

(143)

Provisions for liabilities

(16)

(3)

(19)

(1)

Lease liabilities

(48)

(59)

(107)

(88)

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

-

(8)

(8)

(3)

Deferred income tax liabilities

(192)

(55)

(247)

(37)

Total liabilities

(404)

(172)

(576)

(272)

 

 

 

 


Total identifiable net assets at fair value

1,137

832

1,969

823

Goodwill arising on acquisition (iii)

774

546

1,320

679

Total consideration

1,911

1,378

3,289

1,502

 

 

 

 


Consideration satisfied by:

 

 

 

 

Cash payments

1,911

1,364

3,275

1,501

Deferred consideration (stated at net present cost)

-

10

10

-

Contingent consideration

-

4

4

1

Total consideration

1,911

1,378

3,289

1,502

 

 

 

 


Net cash outflow arising on acquisition

 

 

 


Cash consideration

1,911

1,364

3,275

1,501

Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired

(8)

(14)

(22)

(7)

Total outflow in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

1,903

1,350

3,253

1,494

 

Footnotes (i), (ii) and (iii) appear on page 29.

14.  Business Combinations - continued

The acquisition balance sheet presented on the previous page reflects the identifiable net assets acquired in respect of acquisitions completed during 2022, together with adjustments to provisional fair values in respect of acquisitions completed during 2021. The measurement period for a number of acquisitions completed in 2021, closed in 2022 with no material adjustments identified.

CRH performs a detailed quantitative and qualitative assessment of each acquisition in order to determine whether it is material for the purposes of separate disclosure under IFRS 3 Business Combinations. The acquisition of Barrette is deemed to be a material acquisition. None of the remaining acquisitions completed during the financial year were considered sufficiently material to warrant separate disclosure of the attributable fair values. Due to the size and scale of the Barrette acquisition, the determination of the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as disclosed above are provisional (principally in respect of property, plant and equipment, provisions for liabilities and the associated goodwill and deferred tax aspects). The fair value assigned to identifiable assets and liabilities acquired is based on estimates and assumptions made by management at the time of acquisition. CRH may revise its purchase price allocation during the subsequent reporting window as permitted under IFRS 3.

 

Footnotes to the acquisition balance sheet on page 28

(i)     Marketing-related, customer-related and contract-based intangible assets of $174 million, $594 million and $41 million respectively arose on the acquisition of Barrette. These primarily related to brand names, patents and non-contractual customer relationships. Due to the asset-intensive nature of operations in the Americas Materials and Europe Materials business segments, no significant separately identifiable intangible assets were recognised on business combinations in these segments.

(ii)  Trade and other receivables


Gross contractual amounts due


Loss allowance


Fair value


2022

2021


2022

2021


2022

2021


$m

$m


$m

$m


$m

$m

Barrette

169

-


1

-


168

-

Other acquisitions

60

192


1

1


59

191

Total

229

192


2

1


227

191

 

(iii)  The principal factor contributing to the recognition of goodwill on acquisitions entered into by the Group is the realisation of cost savings and other synergies with existing entities in the Group which do not qualify for separate recognition as intangible assets. $1,289 million of the goodwill recognised in respect of acquisitions completed in 2022 is expected to be deductible for tax purposes (2021: $284 million).

 

Acquisition-related costs

 

2022

2021

 

$m

$m

Barrette

27

-

Other acquisitions

12

13

Total

39

13

 

The above acquisition-related costs, which exclude post-acquisition integration costs, have been included in operating costs in the Consolidated Income Statement.



 

14.   Business Combinations - continued

 

The following table analyses the 29 acquisitions completed in 2022 (2021: 20 acquisitions) by reportable segment and provides details of the goodwill and consideration figures arising in each of those segments:

 

Number of acquisitions


Goodwill


Consideration

 

2022


2021

 

2022

 

2021


2022


2021

Reportable segments





$m

 

$m


$m


$m

Continuing operations





 

 



 



Americas Materials

10


8


172

 

239


493


694

Building Products

10


7


1,205

 

417


2,652


734

Europe Materials

9


4


34

 

1


144


17

Total Group from continuing operations

29


19


1,411

 

657


3,289


1,445

 

 




 

 



 



Discontinued operations

 




 

 



 



Building Products - Building Envelope

-


1


-

 

17


-


56


 




1,411

 

674


3,289


1,501


 




 

 



 



Adjustment to provisional fair value of prior year acquisitions


(91)

 

5


-


1

Total

 




1,320

 

679


3,289


1,502














 

Post-acquisition impact

The post-acquisition impact of acquisitions completed during the year on the Group's profit for the financial year was as follows:


Barrette

Other acquisitions

Total



2022

2022

2022

2021

 

$m

$m

$m

$m

Continuing operations

 

 

 


Revenue

347

414

761

524

(Loss)/profit before tax for the financial year

(33)

25

(8)

55

 

The revenue and profit of the Group for the financial year determined in accordance with IFRS as though the acquisitions effected during the year had been at the beginning of the year would have been as follows:

 


2022

acquisitions

CRH Group

excluding 2022

acquisitions

Consolidated

Group including

acquisitions

 

 

 

$m

$m

$m

Revenue

1,730

31,962

33,692

Profit before tax for the financial year

51

3,477

3,528

 

There have been no acquisitions completed subsequent to the balance sheet date which would be individually material to the Group, thereby requiring disclosure under either IFRS 3 or IAS 10 Events after the Balance Sheet Date. Development updates, giving details of acquisitions which do not require separate disclosure on the grounds of materiality, are published periodically.



 

15.  Retirement Benefit Obligations

 

  The Group operates either defined benefit or defined contribution pension schemes in all of its principal operating areas.

 

Financial assumptions - scheme liabilities

The major long-term assumptions used by the Group's actuaries in the computation of scheme liabilities and post-retirement healthcare obligations are as follows:


  Eurozone

 

  United States

  and Canada


  Switzerland


2022

2021

 

2022

2021


2022

2021

 

%

%

 

%

%


%

%

Rate of increase in:

 


 

 



 


- salaries

3.30

2.92

 

3.00

3.03


2.50

1.25

- pensions in payment

2.10

1.90

 

-

-


-

-

Inflation

2.30

1.90

 

2.10

2.00


2.00

0.75

Discount rate

4.20

1.43

 

5.20

2.82


2.20

0.30

Medical cost trend rate

n/a

n/a

 

1.87

5.91


n/a

n/a

The following table provides a reconciliation of scheme assets (at bid value) and the actuarial value of scheme liabilities (using the aforementioned assumptions):


Year ended 31 December 2022


Assets

 

Liabilities

 

Total

 

Impact of asset ceiling

 

Net Pension Asset


$m

 

$m

 

$m

 

$m

 

$m


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January

3,174

 

(3,483)

 

(309)

 

-

 

(309)

Administration expenses

(5)

 

-

 

(5)

 

-

 

(5)

Current service cost

-

 

(46)

 

(46)

 

-

 

(46)

Past service credit (net)

-

 

1

 

1

 

-

 

1

Interest income on scheme assets

52

 

-

 

52

 

-

 

52

Interest cost on scheme liabilities

-

 

(58)

 

(58)

 

-

 

(58)

Disposals

-

 

25

 

25

 

-

 

25

Remeasurement adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-return on scheme assets excluding interest income

(534)

 

-

 

(534)

 

-

 

(534)

-experience variations

-

 

(48)

 

(48)

 

-

 

(48)

-actuarial gain from changes in financial assumptions

-

 

951

 

951

 

-

 

951

-actuarial loss from changes in demographic assumptions

-

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

-

 

(2)

-impact of asset ceiling

-

 

-

 

-

 

(88)

 

(88)

Employer contributions paid

35

 

-

 

35

 

-

 

35

Contributions paid by plan participants

7

 

(7)

 

-

 

-

 

-

Benefit and settlement payments

(142)

 

142

 

-

 

-

 

-

Translation adjustment

(144)

 

154

 

10

 

-

 

10

At 31 December (i)

2,443

 

(2,371)

 

72

 

(88)

 

(16)

Related deferred income tax asset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

Net pension asset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)  Reconciliation to Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement benefit assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

261

Retirement benefit obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(277)

Net pension deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

15.  Retirement Benefit Obligations - continued

 





Year ended 31 December 2021






Assets


Liabilities


Net Pension Liability






$m


$m


$m











At 1 January





3,321


(3,877)


(556)

Administration expenses





(4)


-


(4)

Current service cost





-


(55)


(55)

Past service credit (net)





-


3


3

Loss on settlements





-


(6)


(6)

Interest income on scheme assets





46


-


46

Interest cost on scheme liabilities





-


(56)


(56)

Disposals





-


1


1

Remeasurement adjustments:










-return on scheme assets excluding interest income





165


-


165

-experience variations





-


(7)


(7)

-actuarial gain from changes in financial assumptions





-


70


70

-actuarial gain from changes in demographic assumptions





-


36


36

Employer contributions paid





43


-


43

Contributions paid by plan participants





7


(7)


-

Benefit and settlement payments





(258)


258


-

Translation adjustment





(146)


157


11

At 31 December (i)





3,174


(3,483)


(309)

Related deferred income tax asset









89

Net pension liability









(220)

 










(i)  Reconciliation to Consolidated Balance Sheet










Retirement benefit assets









166

Retirement benefit obligations









(475)

Net pension deficit









(309)

 


16.  Statutory Accounts and Audit Opinion

The financial information presented in this report does not constitute the statutory financial statements for the purposes of Chapter 4 of Part 6 of the Companies Act 2014. Full statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 prepared in accordance with IFRS, upon which the Auditor has given an unqualified audit report, have not yet been filed with the Registrar of Companies. Full statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021, prepared in accordance with IFRS and containing an unqualified audit report, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

 

17.  Annual Report and Form 20-F and Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The 2022 Annual Report and Form 20-F is expected to be published on the CRH website, www.crh.com , on 10 March 2023 and posted on 29 March 2023 to those shareholders who have requested a paper copy. A paper copy of the Annual Report and Form 20-F may be obtained at the Company's registered office from 29 March 2023.

The Company's AGM is scheduled to be held at 11:00 a.m. on 27 April 2023. The AGM Notice is expected to be posted to shareholders on 29 March 2023.

 

18.  Board Approval

This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors of CRH plc on 1 March 2023.


Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures

CRH uses a number of alternative performance measures (APMs) to monitor financial performance. These measures are referred to throughout the discussion of our reported financial position and operating performance and are measures which are regularly reviewed by CRH management.

The APMs as summarised below should not be viewed in isolation or as an alternative to the equivalent GAAP measure.

The APMs may not be uniformly defined by all companies and accordingly they may not be directly comparable with similarly titled measures and disclosures by other companies. Certain information presented is derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but is not itself an expressly permitted GAAP measure.

EBITDA

EBITDA is defined as earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation, asset impairment charges, profit on disposals and the Group's share of equity accounted investments' profit after tax. It is quoted by management, in conjunction with other GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, to aid investors in their analysis of the performance of the Group and to assist investors in the comparison of the Group's performance with that of other companies.

 

EBITDA is monitored by management in order to allocate resources between segments and to assess performance. Given that net finance costs and income tax are managed on a centralised basis, these items are not allocated between operating segments for the purpose of the information presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker6 (Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer). EBITDA margin is calculated by expressing EBITDA as a percentage of sales.

Operating profit is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, profit on disposals and the Group's share of equity accounted investments' profit after tax.

A reconciliation of Group profit to EBITDA is presented below.

 

 

Continuing operations

 

2022


2021


$m


$m

 

 



Group profit for the financial year

2,684


2,442

Income tax expense

785


661

Profit before tax

3,469


3,103

Share of equity accounted investments' profit

-


(55)

Other financial expense

40


42

Finance costs less income

336


357

Profit before finance costs

3,845


3,447

Loss/(profit) on disposals

49


(116)

Group operating profit

3,894


3,331

Depreciation charge

1,618


1,613

Amortisation of intangibles

103


46

EBITDA

5,615


4,990

 

 

 

6 Effective 1 January 2022, following the appointment of the Chief Operating Officer and a resultant change in the reporting line of the "segment managers" as outlined in IFRS 8, the Group has determined that the Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (formerly the Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer) together fulfil the role of Chief Operating Decision Maker (as defined in IFRS 8). This did not result in any change to the Group's operating segments.

 

 



Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures - continued

RONA

Return on Net Assets is a key internal pre-tax and pre-non-cash-impairment measure of operating performance throughout the CRH Group and can be used by management and investors to measure the relative use of assets between CRH's business segments and to compare to other businesses. The metric measures management's ability to generate profits from the net assets required to support that business, focusing on both profit maximisation and the maintenance of an efficient asset base; it encourages effective fixed asset maintenance programmes, good decisions regarding expenditure on property, plant and equipment and the timely disposal of surplus assets, and also supports the effective management of the Group's working capital base.

 

RONA is calculated by expressing total Group operating profit excluding non-cash-impairment charges as a percentage of average net assets. Net assets comprise total assets by segment (including assets held for sale) less total liabilities by segment (excluding lease liabilities and including liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale) as shown in note 5 on page 19, and excludes equity accounted investments and other financial assets, net debt, and tax assets and liabilities. The average net assets for the year is the simple average of the opening and closing balance sheet figures.

 

The calculation of RONA is presented below:

 

 

2022


2021


$m


$m

 

 



Group operating profit - continuing operations

3,894


3,331

Group operating profit - discontinued operations

95


254

Group operating profit (numerator for RONA computation)

3,989


3,585


 




 



Current year

 



Segment assets (i)

38,396


37,935

Segment liabilities (i)

(9,517)


(9,971)

Group segment net assets

28,879


27,964

Lease liabilities (ii)

1,319


1,671

Group segment net assets excluding lease liabilities

30,198


29,635

 

 



Prior year

 



Segment assets (i)

37,935


36,218

Segment liabilities (i)

(9,971)


(9,136)

Group segment net assets

27,964


27,082

Lease liabilities (ii)

1,671


1,635

Group segment net assets excluding lease liabilities

29,635


28,717

 

 



 

 



Average net assets (denominator for RONA computation)

29,917


29,176

RONA

13.3%


12.3%


 

 


 

(i)  Segment assets and liabilities as disclosed in note 5 on page 19.

(ii)  Segment liabilities include lease liabilities which are debt in nature and are therefore adjusted for in arriving at the calculation of Group segment net assets for the calculation of RONA. Segment lease liabilities at 31 December 2022 amounted to: Americas Materials $393 million (2021: $381 million), Building Products $468 million (2021: $773 million) and Europe Materials $458 million (2021: $517 million).



 

Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures - continued

Net Debt and Net Debt/EBITDA

Net debt is used by management as it gives additional insight into the Group's current debt situation less available cash. Net debt is provided to enable investors to see the economic effect of gross debt, related hedges and cash and cash equivalents in total. Net debt is a non-GAAP measure and comprises current and non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings, lease liabilities, cash and cash equivalents and current and non-current derivative financial instruments (net).

Net Debt/EBITDA is monitored by management and is useful to investors in assessing the Company's level of indebtedness relative to its profitability. It is the ratio of Net Debt to EBITDA and is calculated below:

 


2022


2021


$m


$m

Net debt

 



Cash and cash equivalents (i)

5,936


5,783

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (i)

(9,636)


(10,487)

Lease liabilities (i)

(1,319)


(1,671)

Derivative financial instruments (net) (i)

(86)


122

Group net debt


(6,253)


 



EBITDA - from continuing operations

5,615


4,990

 

 



 

Times


Times

Net debt divided by EBITDA - from continuing operations

0.9


1.3

 



 

(i)  These items appear in note 11 on page 24.

Glossary of Alternative Performance Measures - continued

 

Organic Revenue, Organic Operating Profit and Organic EBITDA

The terms 'like-for-like' (LFL) and 'organic' are used interchangeably throughout this report.

Because of the impact of acquisitions, divestments, exchange translation and other non-recurring items on reported results each year, the Group uses organic revenue, organic operating profit and organic EBITDA as additional performance indicators to assess performance of pre-existing operations each year.

Organic revenue, organic operating profit and organic EBITDA are arrived at by excluding the incremental revenue, operating profit and EBITDA contributions from current and prior year acquisitions and divestments, the impact of exchange translation and the impact of any non-recurring items. Organic EBITDA margin is calculated by expressing organic EBITDA as a percentage of organic revenue.

In the Business Performance review on pages 1 to 7, changes in organic revenue, organic operating profit and organic EBITDA are presented as additional measures of revenue, operating profit and EBITDA to provide a greater understanding of the performance of the Group. A reconciliation of the changes in organic revenue, organic operating profit and organic EBITDA to the changes in total revenue, operating profit and EBITDA for the Group and by segment is presented with the discussion of each segment's performance in tables contained in the segment discussion commencing on page 3.

 



 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Under Section 327(1)(b) of the Companies Act 2014 and Regulation 5(4)(c)(ii) of the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007, the Group is required to give a description of the principal risks and uncertainties which it faces. These risks and uncertainties reflect the international scope of the Group's operations and the Group's decentralised structure. During the course of 2023, new risks and uncertainties may materialise attributable to changes in markets, regulatory environments and other factors and existing risks and uncertainties may become less relevant.

Principal Strategic Risks and Uncertainties

Industry cyclicality and economic conditions: Construction activity, and therefore demand for the Group's products, is inherently cyclical and influenced by multiple factors, including global and national economic circumstances (particularly those affecting the infrastructure and construction markets), monetary policy, consumer sentiment, swings in fuel and other input costs, and weather conditions that may disrupt outdoor construction activity.

People management: The Group may not achieve its strategic objectives if it is not successful in attracting, engaging, retaining and developing employees, planning for leadership succession, developing a diverse and inclusive workforce, and building constructive relationships with collective representation groups.

Commodity products and substitution: Many of the Group's products are commodities that face strong volume and price competition. Such products may also face competition from substitute products, including new products, that the Group does not produce. The Group must maintain strong customer relationships to ensure it can respond to changing consumer preferences and approaches to construction. Failure to differentiate and innovate could lead to market share decline, thus adversely impacting financial performance.

Portfolio management: The Group engages in acquisition and divestment activity as part of active portfolio management which presents risks around due diligence, execution and integration of assets. Additionally, the Group may be liable for liabilities of companies it has acquired or divested. Failure to efficiently identify and execute deals may limit the Group's growth potential and impact financial performance.

Public policies and geopolitics: Adverse public policy, economic, social and political situations in any country in which the Group operates could lead to health and safety risks for the Group's people, a fall in demand for the Group's products, business interruption, restrictions on repatriation of earnings or a loss of plant access.

Strategic mineral reserves: Appropriate reserves are increasingly scarce, and licences and permits required for operations are becoming harder to secure. Numerous uncertainties are inherent in estimating reserves and projecting production rates of the minerals used in the Group's products. Failure of the Group to plan for reserve depletion and secure or maintain permits may result in operation stoppages, adversely impacting financial performance.

Principal Operational Risks and Uncertainties

Climate change and policy: The impact of climate change may adversely affect the Group's operations and cost base and the stability of markets in which the Group operates. Risks related to climate change that could affect the Group's operations and financial performance include both physical risks (such as acute and chronic changes in weather) and transitional risks (such as technological development, policy and regulation change and market and economic responses).

Information technology and cyber security: The Group is dependent on information and operational technology systems (including those for which third-parties are in whole or in part responsible) to support its business activities. Security incidents and cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and our systems for protecting our assets and data against cyber security risks may be insufficient. Security breaches, IT interruptions or data loss could result in significant business disruption, loss of production, reputational damage and/or regulatory penalties.

Health and safety performance: The Group's businesses operate in an industry with inherent health and safety risks, including operation of heavy vehicles, working at height, and use of mechanised processes. Failure to ensure safe workplaces could result in a deterioration in the Group's safety performance and related adverse regulatory action or legal liability. Health and safety incidents could significantly impact the Group's operational and financial performance, as well as its reputation.

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility: The nature of the Group's activities poses certain environmental and social risks, which are also subject to an evolving regulatory framework and changing societal expectations. Failure to embed sustainability principles within the Group's businesses and strategy may result in non-compliance with relevant regulations, standards and best practices and lead to adverse stakeholder sentiment and reduced financial performance.

Supply chain continuity: The Group must reliably and economically source various raw materials, equipment and other inputs from various third-party suppliers and then transport finished products to satisfy customer demands and meet contractual requirements. Our ability to balance maintaining resilient supply chains with optimising our working capital and inventory levels is critical to the continuity and strong financial returns of our operations. Failure to manage any material disruption in our supply chains could adversely impact our ability to service our customers and result in a deterioration in operational and/or financial performance.

 

 



 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties - continued

Principal Compliance Risks and Uncertainties

Laws, regulations and business conduct: The Group is subject to a wide variety of local and international laws and regulations. There can be no assurance that the Group's policies and procedures afford adequate protection against compliance failures or other fraudulent and/or corrupt activities. Potential breaches of local and international laws and regulations could result in litigation or investigations, the imposition of significant fines, sanctions, adverse operational impact (to include an inability to operate in key markets/debarment) and reputational damage.

Principal Financial and Reporting Risks and Uncertainties

Taxation charge and balance sheet provisioning: The Group is exposed to uncertainties stemming from governmental actions in respect of taxes paid or payable in the future in all jurisdictions of operation. In addition, various assumptions are made in the computation of the overall tax charge and in balance sheet provisions which may need to be adjusted over time. Changes in tax regimes or assessment of additional tax liabilities in future tax audits could result in incremental tax liabilities which could have a material adverse effect on cash flows and the financial results of operations.

Financial instruments: The Group uses financial instruments throughout its businesses giving rise to interest rate and leverage, foreign currency, counterparty, credit rating and liquidity risks. A downgrade of the Group's credit ratings may give rise to increases in future funding costs and may impair the Group's ability to raise funds on acceptable terms. In addition, insolvency of the financial institutions with which the Group conducts business may adversely impact the Group's financial position.

Goodwill impairment: Significant under performance in any of the Group's major cash-generating units or the divestment of businesses in the future may give rise to a material write-down of goodwill. While a non-cash item, a material write-down of goodwill could have a substantial impact on the Group's income and equity.

Foreign currency translation: The principal foreign exchange risks to which the Consolidated Financial Statements are exposed pertain to (i) adverse movements in reported results when translated into the reporting currency; and (ii) declines in the reporting currency value of net investments which are denominated in a wide basket of currencies other than the reporting currency. Adverse changes in the exchange rates could negatively affect retained earnings.

 

 



Disclaimer / Forward-Looking Statements

In order to utilise the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, CRH public limited company (the "Company"), and its subsidiaries (collectively, "CRH" or the "Group") is providing the following cautionary statement.

This document contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business, viability and future performance of CRH and certain of the plans and objectives of CRH, including but not limited to the statements under: "Key Highlights", regarding the pipeline of opportunities and future value creation; the Chief Executive's quote, regarding future growth opportunities and value creation; "Listing Considerations" regarding the proposed transition to a US primary listing, the benefits of such transition and our expectations regarding growth in the US market; "Sustainability", regarding the Group's decarbonisation targets, expansion of sustainable product offerings and establishment of CRH Ventures; "Trading Outlook", regarding expectations for demand, sales volumes, pricing, market trends, government funding, onshoring and macroeconomic conditions, including interest rates and inflation; "Dividend", regarding the timing and amount of dividend payments, as well as plans and expectations regarding the Group's progressive dividend policy; "Share Buyback Programme", regarding the timing and amount of share buybacks; our intent to increase our share buyback programme, our outlook for cash generation, our progressive dividend policy and our credit rating; "Balance Sheet and Liquidity", with respect to our belief that the Group has sufficient cash balances to meet all maturing debt obligations for the next 5 years; "Annual Report and Form 20-F and Annual General Meeting (AGM)", regarding timing of the AGM and the publication of the Group's 2022 Annual Report and Form 20-F; and "Principal Risks and Uncertainties", regarding the nature and magnitude of risks and uncertainties facing the Group.

These forward-looking statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as "will", "anticipates", "should", "could", "would", "targets", "aims", "may", "continues", "expects", "is expected to", "is likely to," "estimates", "believes", "intends," "plans," "objective," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts or matters of fact at the date of this document.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and reflect the Company's current expectations and assumptions as to such future events and circumstances that may not prove accurate.

A number of material factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, certain of which are beyond our control, and which include, among other factors: economic and financial conditions, including increased interest rates, inflation, price volatility and/or labour and materials shortages in countries and regions where we operate; the pace of growth in the overall construction and building materials sector; demand for infrastructure, residential and non-residential construction in our geographic markets; increased competition and its impact on prices; increases in energy and/or raw materials costs; adverse changes to laws and regulations, including in relation to climate change and sustainability; the impact of unfavourable weather, including due to climate change; our ability to successfully develop and integrate sustainable solutions into our business and investor and/or consumer sentiment regarding the importance of sustainable practices and products; approval or allocation of funding for infrastructure programmes; adverse political developments in various countries and regions, including war and acts of terrorism; failure to completely or successfully integrate acquisitions; indirect and direct effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; cyber-attacks, sabotage or other incidents and their direct or indirect effects on our business; and the specific factors identified in the section entitled "Principal Risks and Uncertainties" herein and in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements in this document do not constitute reports or statements published in compliance with any of Regulations 6 to 8 of the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 (as amended).

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (including as it forms part of UK domestic law). For the purposes of Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, the person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of CRH plc is Jim Mintern, Chief Financial Officer.  The date and time of this statement is the same as the date and time that it has been communicated to the media.


Appendix 1  2023 Organisational Structure

 


Americas


Europe

Pro forma FY22 $ million

Sales

EBITDA


Sales

EBITDA

Materials Solutions

14,324

2,748

 

9,349

1,246

  Essential Materials

4,160



4,625


  Road Solutions

10,164



4,724








Building Solutions

6,188

1,255

 

2,862

366

  Building & Infrastructure Solutions

2,379



2,252


  Outdoor Living Solutions

3,809



610








Sub-total

20,512

4,003

 

12,211

1,612

Group

 

 

 

32,723

5,615

 

 

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CRH (CDI) (CRH)
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