CRH: 2008 results

Turnover:€20.9bn (unchanged)

Operating loss:€1.8bn (-12%)

Pretax profit:€1.6bn (-14%)

Basic EPS:233.1 cent (-11%)

Dividend:69 cent (+1.5%)

Summary:Weakness in the US and European building industries left revenues flat at €20.9 billion and dented profits at construction materials specialist, CRH, last year. Operating profit in its US businesses fell €188 million to €792 million, a decline of 19 per cent. The weaker average US dollar/euro exchange rate accounted for €67 million of the decrease. In Europe, operating profit declined by €57 million to €1 billion, a 5 per cent fall. Acquisitions completed in 2007 and 2008 added €73 million to operating profit, while organic operating profit declined by €130 million.