It almost doubles its hiring, up to 1,130.4 million euros
MADRID, May 23. (EUROPA PRESS) – OHLA recorded net losses of 4.7 million euros in the first quarter of the year, a figure 39.7% lower than the negative result of 7.8 million euros it obtained in the same period of 2023, as reported this Thursday by the company in a press release.
The group ended the first quarter of 2024 with sales of 794.9 million euros, 24.7% higher than the same period in 2023, thanks to the higher production of the construction and industrial business.
OHLA has detailed that 70% of the turnover has been made abroad, while in the distribution of sales by geographical areas, Europe represents 44.3%, North America 32.2% and Latin America 22. 8%.
The gross operating result (Ebitda) stood at 19.5 million euros until March, in line with the 20 million registered in March 2023 (-2.5%).
In this context, OHLA’s construction unit is the one that contributed the most, with an Ebitda margin of 3.4%, and the company has assured that “this record will improve throughout the year.”
For its part, OHLA’s total contracting in the first quarter of the year was 1,130.4 million euros, almost doubling it compared to the first quarter of 2023, representing a ‘book-to-bill’ ratio of 1.4 times.
Regarding the total portfolio as of March 31, 2024, it stood at 8,029.1 million euros, with an increase of 3.2% compared to the end of the year in 2023.
Thus, the short-term portfolio reached 7,062 million and experienced a growth of 4.8%, representing an activity coverage of 25.8 months of sales.
The company has highlighted “the boost” to hiring in Spain, with new contracts signed for nearly 540 million euros.
Regarding the industrial area of OHLA, the contract for the start-up and operation of a new photovoltaic plant in Murcia with a total installed power of 200 megawatts (MW) and another renewable energy project in Castilla y León with a power total installed of 100 MW.
OHLA ended the first three months of the year with a total liquidity position of 626.7 million euros and a gross financial debt of 526.1 million, which represents a net treasury position of 105.1 million euros.
Sources close to the company have explained to Europa Press that its first quarter results are aligned with those of last year and that it expects to meet the forecasts – the ‘guidance’ – announced last February.
In this context, OHLA updated its forecasts – not including the services division – for this year, in which it expects sales of more than 3,300 million euros, which will mean increasing the figure of 3,131 by 5.4%. million euros registered in 2023.
Regarding the gross operating result (Ebitda), the construction company expects to reach 130 million euros or more, increasing by 3% compared to 126 million euros in 2023, as well as a contract figure equal to or greater than 3,500 million euros.