French conglomerate Bouygues posts 9-month core profit slightly above forecast

(Reuters) – French construction-to-telecoms group Bouygues posted nine-month core earnings slightly above expectations on Tuesday, driven mainly by its energy arm Equans, construction and telecom units, which offset a decline in the real estate division.

Bouygues acquired Equans from French power group Engie in October 2022 as the family-owned group — already present in civil engineering, construction, media and telecom sectors — seeks growth in energy transition and services. Current operating profit from activities (COPA) rose to 1.72 billion euros ($1.87 billion) in the January-September period, beating an analysts’ consensus estimate of 1.63 billion euros, according to a company-compiled poll.

The group confirmed its annual financial targets announced in February.

($1 = 0.9194 euros)

(Reporting by Michal Aleksandrowicz; Editing by Rashmi Aich)