Readymix warns earnings to come up short

Readymix is expecting results in the first half to "fall short" of those a year earlier although it saw some pick-up in its current…

Readymix is expecting results in the first half to "fall short" of those a year earlier although it saw some pick-up in its current trading in Ireland.

In an AGM statement, the group said the first few months of the current year had been "particularly challenging".

"Overall, our best judgement at this stage is that the results for the first half year will fall short of last year," it said.

Readymix's business in Ireland was "disappointing" in the first quarter largely because of poor weather conditions and a slowdown in commercial construction, most noticeably in the Dublin market for office and industrial development.

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But there has been some "considerable improvement" in the Irish operations in April, with profitability in the year to date in both Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man ahead of last year.

"A continuation of the April trend in the Republic of Ireland instils greater confidence in regard to the outcome for the full year," it said.