German building-materials group Heidelberg Materials has reported a stronger third quarter, with revenue and operating profit both rising, and has added €300 million to its savings programme.

Third-quarter revenue increased 10 per cent to €6.41 billion from €5.81 billion a year earlier, ahead of analysts' expectations of €6.19 billion, according to a company-compiled consensus. The result from current operations, the group's preferred operating-profit measure, rose 9 per cent to €1.28 billion from €1.18 billion.

The result from current operations before depreciation and amortisation reached €1.62 billion, up 8 per cent on the year and also ahead of analysts' expectations of €1.57 billion. The company said the improvement was supported by stronger business in Europe, sustained growth in North America, pricing discipline and productivity gains.

Heidelberg Materials also announced an additional €300 million savings target through 2028, extending its Transformation Accelerator Initiative, which was originally designed to generate €500 million in savings by the end of 2026. The company said the programme was already expected to exceed its original target.

The group maintained its full-year outlook, continuing to expect a result from current operations of between €3.40 billion and €3.65 billion for 2026. It also expects its return on invested capital to remain slightly above 10 per cent.

Shares in Heidelberg Materials climbed after the results were published on Wednesday, 4 November. The shares closed at €173.80 on Friday, 6 November, compared with €156.55 on Tuesday, 3 November, the session immediately before the results announcement.

The group signed an agreement on 7 October to acquire the Swedish and Norwegian aggregates and asphalt activities of NCC's Industry business, and in September it announced the closure of its Ranville site in France, citing persistent weakness in parts of Europe.

[Source: morningstar.com](https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202611043090/heidelberg-materials-shares-jump-after-solid-quarterly-print-confirmed-guidance) | [Source: business-news-today.com](https://business-news-today.com/heidelberg-materials-e1-28bn-quarter-exposes-the-economics-behind-europes-cement-reset/)