Weak demand in CRH’s north American operations and parts of Europe cut interim pre-tax profit 10 per cent to €606m (£482m). The building materials group said it expected a similar percentage decline for the full year.

Tough trading conditions were partially offset in profit terms by acquisitions. But the profit fall ends a 15-year record of growth. The Irish group raised its interim dividend by 2.5 per cent to 20.5 cents.