PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Bouygues (BOUYY.PK) reported that its net loss attributable to the Group for the first quarter of 2016 widened to 180 million euros from 157 million euros in the same quarter last year. This figure included non-current charges of 87 million versus 22 million euros last year.
But, excluding exceptional items, net loss attributable to the Group narrowed to 137 million euros from 145 million euros a year earlier.
Quarterly sales declined 3 percent to 6.534 billion euros from 6.731 billion euros in the previous year.
Bouygues Telecom's sales rose by 6% in the first quarter of 2016 to 1.131 billion euros, and sales from network by 4% to 971 million euros. EBITDA increased by 28 million euros to 146 million euros.
The order book for the construction businesses at end-March 2016 reached the high level of 29.9 billion euros, 3% higher than at end-December 2015 and almost flat on end-March 2015.
The Group should continue to improve profitability in 2016.
The construction businesses will continue to target growth in international markets and broaden their portfolio of offers with innovative products and services in both existing markets and new market segments. Their profitability is expected to improve starting in 2016.
Bouygues Telecom confirmed its target of a return to long-term growth in sales and profits and maintains its EBITDA target margin of 25% in 2017 with a plan to save at least 400 million euros in 2016 versus end-2013. Capital expenditure is expected to reach 750 million euros - 800 million euros in 2016.
The roll-out of network sharing with the Numericable-SFR group combined with adaptation plans in the businesses are likely to result in non-current charges of around 270 million euros which will affect the Group's operating profit in 2016.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX