'Normalising' weather a boost to CRH

"More normal" weather patterns in northern Europe and North America this year contributed to a good first six months for international building materials group CRH, the company said today.

In a trading statement released today, CRH said: "After an adverse currency translation effect of €4m, CRH expects to report pre-tax profits for the six months to June 30, 2004 approximately €100m ahead of 2003’s weather-affected €161m."