CRH is expected to make another large-scale acquisition some time next year as its cash generation improves and debt levels continue to decline.

Holcim Ltd and Lafarge SA reached an agreement to adjust merger terms in an effort to salvage their bid to form the world’s biggest cement maker, leaving open the contentious point of who will be chief executive.

Oil giant Shell said today it had agreed to pay $90m (€73m) to settle litigation stemming from its reserves crisis of last year.