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UPDATE 2-Sacyr sinks after no news on Eiffage in 2007 results

Mon Mar 3, 2008 11:21am EST
 
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MADRID, March 3 (Reuters) - Sacyr Vallehermoso (SVO.MC: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) posted an in-line 20 percent rise in 2007 core earnings on Monday, but its shares sank on disappointment at no news on its battle to take over France's Eiffage (FOUG.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

The Spanish construction-to-services firm said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were 1.28 billion euros ($1.95 billion) compared with a forecast 1.2 billion euros in a Reuters Estimates poll and 1.1 billion euros in 2006.

Net profit was up 74.5 percent at 946 million euros, boosted by the contribution of the firm's 20 percent stake in oil firm Repsol (REP.MC: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz). Sales rose 23 percent to 5.76 billion euros.

But analysts on a conference call asked repeatedly, to no avail, about Sacyr's acrimonious battle to take over French public works and concessions firm Eiffage.

Shares fell 6.34 percent to 18.92 euros at 1602 GMT, versus a 1.86 percent fall in European building stocks .

"Results are quite weak, but they were expected," said an analyst. "I think that weighing on sentiment is the lack of news on the 33 percent stake in Eiffage," he added.

"It is not logical for us to comment on an issue which is with the courts," Chairman Luis del Rivero told analysts.

Sacyr said last November it was open to offers for its Eiffage stake after failing in its takeover bid.  Continued...

 

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