What factors influenced CRH's EPS in 2024?

CRH's EPS was influenced by several key factors in 2024:

1. **Strategic Acquisitions**: CRH's EPS was boosted by strategic acquisitions, including the $2.1 billion materials acquisition in Texas. These acquisitions enhanced its exposure to high-growth markets and contributed to its overall financial performance.
2. **Cost Management and Asset Gains**: The company's cost-management efforts and asset gains contributed to the increase in EBITDA, which in turn supported EPS growth. CRH's focus on managing costs effectively and generating gains from its assets helped to improve profitability.
3. **Positive Pricing Momentum and Effective Cost Management**: CRH's strong financial performance in Q3 2024 was supported by positive pricing momentum and effective cost management. This indicates that the company's pricing strategies and cost control measures had a significant impact on its EPS.
4. **Weather Conditions**: Despite facing weather challenges in certain regions, CRH's EPS was positively influenced by favorable weather conditions in other areas that supported early-season projects. This variability in weather conditions had both positive and negative impacts on CRH's financial performance.
5. **Government Funding and Infrastructure Investments**: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funded projects that benefited CRH's Road Solutions segment, leading to a 7% revenue increase. Government funding for critical utility infrastructure also supported CRH's Essential Materials segment, which saw a 10% revenue increase due to double-digit pricing growth in aggregates and cement.
6. **Dividend Increases and Share Buybacks**: CRH's share buyback program returned approximately $900 million so far in 2024, with an additional $300 million announced. The company also increased its quarterly dividend by 5%, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders. These actions likely had a positive impact on EPS, as they can lead to improved investor confidence and a potential increase in the company's valuation.
7. **Organic Growth and Contribution from Acquisitions**: CRH's Americas Materials Solutions segment saw a 6% increase in revenue, driven by pricing growth. The Americas Building Solutions segment reported a 13% year-over-year revenue increase, primarily due to price increases and the contribution from acquisitions. The Essential Materials segment experienced a 5% revenue increase, with significant pricing growth in aggregates and cement. The Road Solutions segment reported a 6% increase in revenue, supported by favorable infrastructure activity and pricing growth. These organic growth initiatives, combined with the contribution from acquisitions, supported CRH's EPS in 2024.

In summary, CRH's EPS in 2024 was influenced by strategic acquisitions, cost management, positive pricing momentum, favorable weather conditions in certain regions, government funding, dividend increases, share buybacks, and organic growth initiatives. These factors, either directly or indirectly, contributed to the company's overall financial performance and EPS.