In this piece, we will take a look at the fifteen biggest European construction companies. For more firms, head on over to 5 Biggest European Construction Companies.
The European construction industry, like nearly every other sector out there, also faced the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic as an economic slowdown decreased spending. The industry consists of a variety of different sectors such as residential, healthcare, hospitality, and others. Despite the coronavirus slowdown, the segment was worth $2.9 trillion by the end of 2021, believes the research firm Expert Market Research. From then until 2028, the sector will grow at a relatively strong compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for its size of 3.6% and be worth $3.6 billion by the end of the forecast period.
A key advantage for European firms is that housing is often funded by the government, which ends up providing them with a stable source of revenue that remains relatively insulated to economic downturns when compared to private spending. An example of this spending is the Dutch government’s decision to spend 253 million Euros to build thousands of new houses in 2021 – the majority of which will be affordable houses aimed at alleviating the difficulties people face in home ownership. Additionally, the growing shift towards sustainable sourcing for housing materials is spurring new projects as well, since materials such as timber were previously not required by law to be used in building construction.
However, Europe has also felt the negative effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine this year in the form of painful energy costs and the resulting economic slowdowns. In fact, analysts from CIC-Market Solutions believe that the rising costs will lead to a negative landing for the construction sector in Europe next year. They forecast that from a post pandemic growth of 5.9%, the sector can see spending drop by as much as 1.1% next year. Diving down into the details, Germany will suffer from high gas prices and Finland will see the largest drop in the form of a 4.3% drop in spending. However, Iceland and Greece will see spending growth, with 1.5% and 1.4% growth in spending, respectively.
With these details in mind, it is time to take a look at Europe’s largest construction firms. The top players on our list are Ferrovial, S.A. (BME:FER.MC), Vinci SA (EPA:DG.PA), and Bouygues SA (EPA:EN.PA).
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Our Methodology
We studied the European construction industry to sift out which firms are the top players. These are ranked according to their latest market capitalization.
Biggest European Construction Companies
15. Sacyr, S.A. (BME:SCYR.MC)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $1.68 billion (1EUR = 1.03USD)
Sacyr, S.A. (BME:SCYR.MC) is a Spanish company that provides construction services for a wide variety of buildings and facilities such as motorways, airports, and oil and gas infrastructure. The firm is headquartered in Madrid, Spain.
Sacyr, S.A. (BME:SCYR.MC) saw the firm beat analyst estimates by a mile, as it posted EUR1.5 billion in revenue which ended up surpassing the estimates by 11%. The firm’s shares currently trade for EUR2.57, which is significantly below the consensus price target of EUR3.5. Taking cue of the recent push to sustainability, Sacyr, S.A. (BME:SCYR.MC) also plans to invest EUR17 million in a Spanish environmental complex.
Sacyr, S.A. (BME:SCYR.MC)’s market capitalization is $1.68 billion.
Ferrovial, S.A. (BME:FER.MC), Vinci SA (EPA:DG.PA) and Bouygues SA (EPA:EN.PA) are met by Sacyr, S.A. (BME:SCYR.MC) on our list of Europe’s largest construction company.
14. Peab AB (publ) (STO:PEAB-B.ST)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $1.74 billion (1SEK = 0.095USD)
Peab AB (publ) (STO:PEAB-B.ST) is a Swedish construction company that is headquartered in Forslov, Sweden. The firm builds homes, public properties, and commercial properties.
Peab AB (publ) (STO:PEAB-B.ST) was on a spree in November 2022 when it comes to construction projects. The firm won a 118 million Norwegian Kroner contract to build a combustion plant in Finnsnes, Norway, that is slated to be completed by 2024. Three days later, it won another $30 million contract to renovate Sweden’s Hogland Hospital. Construction will begin in December 2022 and is expected to finish by 2025.
Peab AB (publ) (STO:PEAB-B.ST) has a market capitalization of $1.74 billion.
13. Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTY.L)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $2.62 billion (1GBP = 1.20USD)
Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTY.L) is a British firm that is one of the oldest of its kind as it was set up in 1885. The company operates as a housebuilder and is headquartered in West Malling, United Kingdom.
Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTY.L) reported £1.3 billion in revenue for this year’s first half, which marked a 5.5% growth at a time when the British economy is facing historic challenges due to political and economic crises. Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTY.L) completed 3,219 houses during the first half of 2022.
Vistry Group PLC (LON:VTY.L)’s market capitalization is $2.62 billion.
12. Bellway p.l.c. (LON:BWY.L)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $2.92 billion (1GBP = 1.20USD)
Bellway p.l.c. (LON:BWY.L) is a British homebuilder that sells different properties such as one bedroom apartments to six bedroom family homes. The firm is based in Newcastle, the United Kingdom.
Bellway p.l.c. (LON:BWY.L)’s fiscal year 2022 ended in July, and the earnings report revealed that the firm had £3.5 billion in revenue, marking a roughly £400 million annual growth. However, the firm struggled to keep up with inflation, as administrative expenses grew by £14 million and a drop in other operating income led to Bellway p.l.c. (LON:BWY.L) posting lower operating income for the fiscal year 2022.
As of November 22, 2022, Bellway p.l.c. (LON:BWY.L) has a market capitalization of $2.92 billion.
11. Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, S.A. (BME:FCC.MC)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $3.60 billion (1EUR= 1.03USD)
Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, S.A. (BME:FCC.MC) is a construction company that builds, designs, operates, and maintains sewage collection and filtration systems. The firm also builds airports, motorways, residential buildings, and housing estates.
Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, S.A. (BME:FCC.MC)’s return on equity (ROE) of 15% is slightly higher than the industry average of 13%. The firm has posted impressive growth over the past few years, as it has managed to grow the net income by a strong 33% over the past five years. This is vastly superior to the average industry growth of 4.3% for the same metric and the same time period.
Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, S.A. (BME:FCC.MC)’s market capitalization is $3.6 billion.
10. HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:HOT.F)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $4.21 billion (1EUR= 1.03USD)
HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:HOT.F) is a global construction firm that is headquartered in Germany. It has operations in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas.
HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:HOT.F)’s ROE stands at a strong 30% as of November 2022, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 7.6%. This means that for every EUR of capital invested in it, the firm generated 30 cents in return while the industry as a whole could generate only 7.6 cents. However, this growth appears to be fueled by debt, which is not reflected in the ROE ratio. HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:HOT.F)’s debt to equity ratio is 5.36, implying that it has five times the debt as its equity.
HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:HOT.F) has a market capitalization of $4.21 billion.
9. Barratt Developments plc (LON:BDEV.L)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $4.83 billion (1GBP= 1.20USD)
Barratt Developments plc (LON:BDEV.L) is a British commercial and homebuilding company. The firm develops land and builds homes, offices, penthouses, apartments, and other buildings.
Barratt Developments plc (LON:BDEV.L)’s building completions have recovered from the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. These had dipped to 12,604 buildings in 2020 from 2019’s 17,856, but as of 2022, they now stand at 17,908 homes. The firm’s 2022 revenue is £5.2 billion, marking for a comfortable £400 million annual growth.
Barratt Developments plc (LON:BDEV.L)’s latest market capitalization is $4.83 billion.
8. Persimmon Plc (LON:PSN.L)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $4.99 billion (1GBP= 1.20USD)
Persimmon Plc (LON:PSN.L) builds family, executive, and social housing platforms. The firm is headquartered in York, United Kingdom.
Persimmon Plc (LON:PSN.L)’s new home completions and total group revenues dipped annually during the first half of this year. As of June 2022, its revenues stand at £1.69 billion for a £150 million annual drop and it completed 6,652 homes during the same time period for an approximate 900 home drop.
7. Skanska AB (publ) (STO:SKA-B.ST)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $7.11 billion (1SEK= 0.095USD)
Skanska AB (publ) (STO:SKA-B.ST) is a Swedish construction company with operations in Europe and the U.S. It is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and is one of the oldest firms of its kind after being set up in 1887.
Skanska AB (publ) (STO:SKA-B.ST)’s business is booming when it comes to the U.S. The firm announced in November 2022 that it will spend $58 million to renovate 130,000 square meter facility in Houston, Texas, with office build outs and MEP systems. Just two days later it announced a massive $296 million investment in Seattle to build a 31 story Class-A apartment complex. Skanska AB (publ) (STO:SKA-B.ST) expects to complete the project by November 2024.
Skanska AB (publ) (STO:SKA-B.ST)’s latest market capitalization is $7.11 billion.
6. ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (BME:ACS.MC)
Market Capitalization as of November 22th, 2022: $7.23 billion (1EUR= 1.03USD)
ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (BME:ACS.MC) is a Spanish firm that provides construction services to build highways, airports, educational facilities, residential infrastructure, and more. The firm is headquartered in Madrid, Spain.
ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (BME:ACS.MC)’s fiscal third quarter saw the firm bring in EUR9.11 billion in revenue which marked a strong 30% annual growth. At the same time, its net income jumped by a whopping 56% to stand at EUR150 million. However, ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (BME:ACS.MC) is relying heavily on debt, and its EUR19.7 billion in liabilities significantly outweigh its cash and receivables by a sizeable EUR9.16 billion.
ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (BME:ACS.MC) is worth $7.23 billion on the stock market.
ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (BME:ACS.MC) joins Ferrovial, S.A. (BME:FER.MC), Vinci SA (EPA:DG.PA), and Bouygues SA (EPA:EN.PA) as one of Europe’s biggest construction companies.
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Disclosure: None. 15 Biggest European Construction Companies is originally published on Insider Monkey.