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Investing.com -- Skanska (ST:SKAb) on Friday reported fourth-quarter results, beating expectations and providing positive signals for its development business, sending its shares up over 6%.
The Swedish construction and development company reported strong earnings, with improved margins in its commercial property segment, a resurgence in residential project starts, and solid construction performance.
The construction division performed well, with operating margins standing at 4.53% in the fourth quarter, closely aligned with market consensus.
Order intake reached SEK 49.56 billion, surpassing Jefferies’ estimates by 6%. In residential development, house sales surged to 573 units in the quarter, marking a 49% year-over-year increase.
New residential project starts also rebounded, climbing to 620 units from 186 in the previous quarter. In commercial development, Skanska made no impairments to its property portfolio, while divestments grew to SEK 3.28 billion from SEK 706 million in the preceding quarter.
Meanwhile, economic occupancy in investment properties declined slightly to 87% from 89% in the third quarter, though the carrying value of the portfolio increased to SEK 8.15 billion.
The company’s adjusted net cash position rose sharply to SEK 11.98 billion, nearly SEK 2 billion above Jefferies’ forecast, largely due to working capital inflows.
Jefferies analysts noted that Skanska’s results showed clear signs of recovery in its development business, particularly in the residential segment, which benefited from provision releases.
The brokerage also flagged improving margins on unrealized gains in commercial property, a key factor contributing to overall optimism.
Construction activity remained solid, in line with expectations, while the stronger-than-anticipated cash position boosted confidence in the company’s financial health.
Additionally, the board announced a dividend increase of 14% above consensus expectations, further fueling positive investor sentiment.
The Skanska Group has revised its market outlook for key regions in the coming months. Norway’s civil construction outlook was downgraded from "strong" to "stable" while Finland’s civil construction outlook was upgraded from "weak" to "stable."
Analysts at Jefferies maintain a BUY rating on the stock, with a price target of SEK 260.32, representing an upside of approximately 8% from its latest trading price.