Building materials company CRH spent nearly €700 million on acquisitions and investments last year, nearly €100m more than its 2012 outlay.

World markets were mixed again yesterday with the Iseq losing much of the gains made on Friday as profit-taking took hold.

CRH is understood to have held exploratory talks with one of India’s largest cement producers over the possible acquisition of four cement plants.

CRH’s profits before tax were down 10% to €606m year-on-year in the six months to the end of June, the construction firm has announced.