Bouygues, the French construction giant diversified in telecoms and the media, saw its net result melt in the first half compared to last year, inflated by the sale of Alstom and data centers, but it improved its current operating result.
The group, which achieved a turnover up 6% over the six months, to 18.5 billion euros, recorded exceptional costs in the first half of the year linked to the two major structuring operations in which it is involved: the acquisition of Equans from the Engie group, the biggest takeover operation ever carried out by the group created in 1952, and the merger between TF1 and M6.
On July 19, Bouygues obtained the green light from the European Commission for the acquisition of Equans for 7.1 billion euros, subject to the sale of a subsidiary in Belgium, Colas Rail Belgium, which risked holding a dominant position. in Belgium.
On the same day, in Great Britain, the British competition authority CMA considered that the operation was likely to lead to a weakening of competition on an ongoing call for tenders for a high-speed line under construction, and the group filed on July 26 proposals for remedies on which the CMA should rule very soon, indicated Bouygues in its press release.
The completion of the takeover of Equans, bringing together technical services ranging from energy management in buildings to fire safety, including ventilation, air conditioning, heating and digital technology, announced on May 12, is expected in the second half of the year. 2022.
Overall for the whole of 2022, the group expects a further increase in its turnover and its current operating income, as well as the validation by the Science Based target initiative (SBTI) of the objectives for reducing emissions from greenhouse gas emissions from its construction subsidiary Colas.
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In the 1st half, the net result was divided by three to 147 million euros, but the current operating result improved by 21 million euros compared to the 1st half, 492 million euros, indicates the press release.
At the end of June 2022, the order book for construction and services activities (Bouygues construction, Bouygues Immobilier, Colas) was up 6% to €35.1 billion, driven by international business, despite a 5% drop in that of the construction division, and 12% of the order book of Bouygues Immobilier, penalized by the weakness of business real estate.
Colas’ order book grew by 25% year-on-year, thanks to a major order for the Cairo metro in Egypt won in the first quarter and road activities in France and the United States.