Lafarge Posts Q4 Net Loss

reported a fourth-quarter net loss. Lafarge swung to a quarterly net loss of 145 million euros ($165 million), versus a year-ago net profit of EUR213 million. Adjusted net income slipped to 68 million euros, or 0.24 euros per share, versus 96 million euros, or 0.33 euros per share. Its sales gained 2% to EUR3.21 billion from EUR3.16 billion, while EBITDA shrank to EUR679 million from EUR707 million. Bruno Lafont, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge said, "2015 will be an exceptional year for the Group. Over the past years, we have undertaken a structural and fundamental transformation. We focused on our customers, promoted innovation and reshaped our portfolio to concentrate on fast growing market segments. We have also developed a culture of strict capital allocation discipline, reducing our cost base and optimizing our working capital and our investments." For 2015, the company projects EBITDA of EUR3 billion ($3.42 billion) to EUR3.2 billion, compared to EUR2.72 billion in 2014. Lafarge shares gained 1.30% to close at $18.67 yesterday.