The Group's principal activities are carried out through six divisions: HOCHTIEF airport: develops and markets products related to the planning, financing and operation of airports. HOCHTIEF construction: focuses on the core competencies of building construction, civil engineering and structural engineering. HOCHTIEF development: draws together the group's operations in project development, facility and asset management. HOCHTIEF international: its purpose is to push ahead with the group's development in the international arena. HOCHTIEF North America: takes in all the operations on that region's construction market. HOCHTIEF services: helps the group to position itself in the marketplace as a total project leader and provider of complete solutions. The Group has operations in America, Asia, Australia and Africa.

http://www.hochtief.de/

Earnings collapse at Asia Pacific
Very strong Group order backlog sustained
Outstanding performance at HOCHTIEF Americas, Concessions, and Europe
Group guidance for 2011 substantially reduced in consequence
Group guidance for 2012 and 2013 confirmed without change
The first quarter of 2011 is marked by the earnings collapse at HOCHTIEF Asia Pacific. Subsidiary Leighton significantly reduced its guidance in April. HOCHTIEF had to scale back its own guidance in April substantially for fiscal 2011 as a result. Despite an outstanding performance in the first quarter, the HOCHTIEF Americas, HOCHTIEF Concessions, and HOCHTIEF Europe divisions could not compensate this development. The Group forecast for fiscal 2012 and 2013 is confirmed, however, without change.
Key figures for the first quarter of 2011
New orders totaled EUR 5.41 billion, 56.9 percent (exchange rate adjusted 48 percent) higher than the comparative prior-year figure (Q1/2010: EUR 3.45 billion). The increase was accounted for by the HOCHTIEF Asia Pacific division, which secured many major new contracts. Work done came to EUR 5.10 billion as of March 31, 2011, an increase of 7.3 percent on the prior-year period (Q1/2010: EUR 4.76 billion); on an exchange rate adjusted basis, the increase was 1.9 percent. The strongest contribution to this came from the HOCHTIEF Asia Pacific and HOCHTIEF Europe divisions. The prior-year figure was comfortably exceeded in Germany as a result of strong performance by the HOCHTIEF Europe division, with growth of 23.8 percent. 
The order backlog stood at EUR 45.61 billion, an improvement of 24.9 percent (exchange rate adjusted 20.1 percent) on the comparative figure for the prior year (Q1/2010: EUR 36.52 billion). This is equivalent to a forward order book of more than two years for HOCHTIEF.
 
 

HOCHTIEF makes strong start to 2010, reaffirms guidance for whole year
Essen, 17.05.2010
Order backlog climbs to EUR 36.74 billion
Profit before taxes reaches EUR 120.5 million
Medium-term target remains EUR 1 billion pretax profit
HOCHTIEF made a successful start to 2010. The order backlog reached a new high of EUR 36.74 billion with an increase of 17.1 percent (Q1/2009: EUR 31.37 billion*). Profit before taxes also rose, by 2.5 percent to EUR 120.5 million (Q1/2009: EUR 117.7 million*). All divisions contributed to the positive results. "Our sustained growth shows that the Group is fit for the future," stressed Dr. Herbert Lütkestratkötter, Chairman of the HOCHTIEF Executive Board. Not least in light of the large order backlog and the opportunities available, the Group reaffirms its guidance for fiscal 2010 while its medium-term target remains a pretax profit of EUR 1 billion.
Key figures for first quarter of 2010
New orders came to EUR 3.45 billion, significantly down on the prior-year period (Q1/2009: EUR 4.38 billion) due to contract awards postponed to the next quarter. The shortfall relates partly to business in Germany, but mainly to delays on major contract awards in the HOCHTIEF Asia Pacific division. Much of the difference was made good in April 2010, however. Work done totaled EUR 4.76 billion, on a par with the prior-year quarter (Q1/2009: EUR 4.78 billion*). In terms of sales, the Group slightly improved on the comparative prior-year period to reach a total of EUR 4.45 billion (Q1/2009: EUR 4.40 billion*). 
Although the general economic environment began to stabilize from the end of 2009, the effects of the economic crisis were still to be felt at the start of 2010. The long, cold winter also had an impact. Operating earnings (EBITA), at EUR 152.3 million, consequently fell 5.5 percent short of the prior-year comparative figure (Q1/2009: EUR 161.1 million*). Consolidated net profit was EUR 34.1 million, down somewhat by 11.8 percent on the prior-year period (Q1/2009: EUR 38.6 million*). The application of new accounting standards in line with IFRIC 15 resulted in a positive retrospective adjustment of profit before taxes and consolidated net profit by EUR 20 million and EUR 15.3 million respectively in the first quarter of 2009. Before this special effect, profit before taxes in Q1 2009 was EUR 98.6 million and consolidated net profit EUR 24.2 million.
 

HOCHTIEF sustains successful trend despite financial crisis Essen
25.03.2009 
Order backlog nearly EUR 31 billion
Consolidated net profit up significantly by 24 percent to EUR 175 million
Guidance raised twice in 2008 and all targets attained
Group plans record EUR 98 million dividend distribution

HOCHTIEF made 2008 a successful year despite the financial crisis. Consolidated net profit grew sharply by 24.4 percent to EUR 175.1 million (2007: EUR 140.7 million). Earnings per share rose by 21.7 percent to EUR 2.52 (2007: EUR 2.07). "We twice raised our guidance in 2008 and more than attained all targets set for the year. This is testimony to our foresight in building and expanding our Group," said Dr. Herbert Lütkestratkötter, Chairman of the HOCHTIEF Executive Board. Lütkestratkötter is confident for the current financial year, saying that the strong order backlog means business is already largely secure for 2009 and beyond. He went on to say that the global economic stimulus packages deliver an added fillip for HOCHTIEF: "We are ready to seize these opportunities."

Key figures for 2008
HOCHTIEF set new records for orders and work done for the fifth time running in 2008. Group new orders climbed to EUR 25.28 billion, beating the prior-year figure by a substantial 7.5 percent (2007: EUR 23.51 billion). The Group significantly boosted work done, passing the EUR 20 billion mark for the first time with a total of EUR 21.64 billion. The increase was 15.3 percent (2007: EUR 18.77 billion). In line with new orders, the order backlog grew to EUR 30.92 billion (2007: EUR 29.89 billion). This represents growth of 3.4 percent. 

Operating earnings improved compared with the prior year by 25.3 percent to EUR 676.1 million (2007: EUR 539.5 million). This notably reflects progress in restructuring the HOCHTIEF Europe division. Profit before taxes, at EUR 520.1 million, was up 3.8 percent on the prior year (2007: EUR 501.3 million).

Despite this positive business trend, the HOCHTIEF stock price was unable to avoid being dragged down by the global stock markets. HOCHTIEF stock lost value over the course of the year and closed at EUR 35.74. In spite of rising operating earnings and the Group twice increasing its guidance, HOCHTIEF stock was thus more severely affected by selling than were the relevant benchmark indices. "The price trend no longer bears any relation to the strong operating performance and the value of our Group," the Chairman of the Executive Board stressed, saying that HOCHTIEF was one of the few companies to achieve strong results and bring the difficult 2008 fiscal year to a successful close in the midst of the crisis. HOCHTIEF intends its stockholders to share in this success: At the General Shareholders‘ Meeting on May 7, 2009, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will be submitting a proposal to pay out a dividend of EUR 1.40 (2007: EUR 1.30) per no-par-value share. This is also an expression of the Group’s confidence in the future growth of its business.

Divisional performance

HOCHTIEF Americas was highly successful in fiscal 2008. Subsidiary Turner held its own as No. 1 general builder in the USA and extended its position in the rapidly growing education and healthcare segments. The company retained its comfortable market lead in green buildings and secured new contracts including construction of the Great American Tower in Cincinnati, worth a total of EUR 165 million. 2008 was likewise a successful year for HOCHTIEF subsidiary Flatiron. Among other things, Flatiron was appointed leader of a joint venture responsible for building a section of the Edmonton Ring Road in Canada worth EUR 624 million.