CRH PUBLIC LTD CO (CRH)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to convey management’s perspective regarding operational and financial performance for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing in Part I, Item 1. "Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report.

The following discussion contains trend information and forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements, as well as from our historical performance, due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in this Quarterly Report, particularly "Forward-Looking Statements," and Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in this Quarterly Report and the Company's 2025 Form 10-K and in our other filings with the SEC. Our operating results depend upon economic cycles, seasonal and other weather‐related conditions, and trends in government funding initiatives, among other factors. Accordingly, financial results for any financial period presented, or period-to-period comparisons of reported results, may not be indicative of future operating results.

Overview

CRH is the leading provider of building materials critical to modernizing infrastructure. Our unmatched scale, connected portfolio, and deep local relationships make us the partner of choice for transportation, water and reindustrialization projects, shaping communities for a better tomorrow.

CRH’s connected portfolio supplies building materials across the construction value chain, better serving our customers’ needs and driving repeat business while making construction simpler, safer and more sustainable. This customer-centric approach combines our unique entrepreneurial culture, leading performance and local market knowledge with our value-added building products and services to be a valuable partner for customers across our end-markets.

The Company has a proven track record of growing and creating value through acquisition with over 1,250 deals completed in our history. We acquire businesses at attractive valuations and create value by connecting them with our existing operations and generating synergies. The Company takes an active approach to portfolio management and continuously reviews the competitive landscape for attractive investment and divestiture opportunities to deliver further growth and value creation for shareholders.

Operating in 25 countries across North America, Europe and Australia, CRH’s leading positions of scale serve transportation and critical infrastructure, reindustrialization projects, and commercial and residential construction activity.

Seasonality

Activity in the construction industry is dependent to a considerable extent on the seasonal impact of weather on the Company’s operating locations, with periods of higher activity in some markets during spring, summer and autumn which may reduce significantly in winter due to inclement conditions or generally as a result of extreme weather events. In addition to impacting demand for our products and services, adverse weather can negatively impact the production processes for a variety of reasons. For example, workers may not be able to work outdoors in sustained high temperatures and heavy rainfall and/or other unfavorable weather conditions. Therefore, our financial results for any particular quarter may not necessarily be indicative of our financial results for the full year or any future interim period.

Financial performance highlights

Three months ended June 30, 2026

CRH delivered a strong second quarter performance, resulting in the following performance highlights (comparisons are versus the prior year's second quarter):

•Total revenues increased 6% to $10.8 billion;

•Net income was $1.5 billion compared with $1.3 billion, an increase of $0.2 billion or 13%. Adjusted EBITDA*1was $2.6 billion, an increase of $0.2 billion, or 7%;

•Net income margin was 14.0% compared with 13.1%, an increase of 90bps. Adjusted EBITDA margin* was 24.4%, an increase of 30bps on the prior year's second quarter Adjusted EBITDA margin* of 24.1%; and

•Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) was $2.21 compared to $1.94.

Six months ended June 30, 2026

CRH delivered a strong performance in the six months ended June 30, 2026, resulting in the following performance highlights (comparisons are versus the prior year's first six months):

•Total revenues increased 7% to $18.1 billion;

•Net income was $1.3 billion compared with $1.2 billion, an increase of $0.1 billion or 8%. Adjusted EBITDA*2was $3.2 billion, an increase of $0.3 billion, or 9%;

•Net income margin was 7.3%, in line with the prior year's first six months. Adjusted EBITDA margin* was 17.7%, an increase of 30bps on the prior year's first six months Adjusted EBITDA margin* of 17.4%; and

•Diluted EPS was $1.93 compared to $1.78. Diluted EPS pre-impairment* was $2.01 compared to $1.78.

*Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See the discussion within 'Non-GAAP Reconciliation and Supplementary Information' on pages 31 to 33.1

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CRH FORM 10-Q

Capital allocation highlights

Six months ended June 30, 2026

•Cash returned to shareholders through share buybacks was $0.6 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2026, in line with the comparable period in 2025. On July 28, 2026, the latest tranche of the share buyback program was completed, bringing year-to-date repurchases to $0.7 billion. As announced on June 22, 2026, in connection with the agreement to acquire Arcosa, CRH has not initiated a new tranche of its share buyback program;

•The first 2026 quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share was declared in February 2026, a second quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share was declared in April 2026, and a third quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share was announced on July 30, 2026, representing an annualized increase of 5% on the prior year;

•A total of 16 acquisitions were completed for a total consideration of $1.2 billion, compared with $0.7 billion in the first six months of the prior year. Subsequent to the period end, a further acquisition was completed in July for a consideration of $0.2 billion, bringing the year-to-date total consideration to $1.4 billion; and

•$1.2 billion was invested in the six months ended June 30, 2026, in growth and maintenance capital expenditure projects, compared with the $1.3 billion invested in the comparable period in 2025.

Development Review

In the three months ended June 30, 2026, CRH completed 11 value-accretive acquisitions for total consideration of $1.1 billion, compared with $0.1 billion in the same period in 2025. Americas Materials Solutions completed five acquisitions, Americas Building Solutions completed two acquisitions and International Solutions completed four acquisitions.

For the six months ended June 30, 2026, CRH completed 16 acquisitions for a total consideration of $1.2 billion, compared to $0.7 billion in the first six months of the prior year. The largest acquisition, which completed on May 29, 2026, was the acquisition of Axius Water for a total consideration of $0.7 billion. Axius is a leading provider of specialized water quality solutions in North America.

On June 22, 2026, the Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Arcosa, a leading U.S. provider of infrastructure-related materials, products and solutions, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, in an all-cash transaction for $150 per share reflecting a total enterprise value of approximately $8.5 billion. Arcosa is highly complementary to CRH, advancing the Company’s connected portfolio strategy. The transaction reinforces CRH’s position as the leader in U.S. aggregates, expands our capabilities in U.S. energy infrastructure, and increases exposure to some of the fastest-growing Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the U.S. The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2027 subject to approval of Arcosa’s stockholders, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions.

With respect to divestitures, in the three months ended June 30, 2026, cash proceeds from divestitures and disposals of long-lived assets were $1.7 billion, net of disposal costs and deferred proceeds, compared with $31 million in the same period in 2025. For the six months ended June 30, 2026, CRH realized cash proceeds from divestitures and disposals of long-lived assets of $1.8 billion, net of disposal costs and deferred proceeds, compared with $0.1 billion in the same period of the prior year. These primarily comprised the divestiture of three non-core businesses: CRH's construction accessories operations for $0.7 billion, lawn and garden operations for $1.1 billion, and MoistureShield, a manufacturer of composite decking for $0.1 billion.

Outlook

We expect favorable underlying demand across our key end-markets, underpinned by significant public investment in infrastructure and continued reindustrialization activity. Within the residential sector we anticipate resilient repair and remodel activity, while the new-build segment is expected to remain subdued. Assuming normal seasonal weather patterns and absent any further major dislocations in the geopolitical or macroeconomic environment, CRH's superior strategy, connected portfolio and leading positions of scale in attractive high-growth markets, together with our strong and flexible balance sheet, are expected to underpin another year of growth and value creation in 2026.

Results of Operations

Revenues are derived from a range of products and services across three segments. The Americas Materials Solutions segment utilizes an extensive network of reserve-backed quarry locations to produce and supply a range of materials including aggregates, cementitious materials, readymixed concrete and asphalt, as well as providing paving and construction services. The Americas Building Solutions segment manufactures, supplies and delivers high-quality building products. The International Solutions segment integrates building materials, products and services for the construction and renovation of transportation infrastructure, critical utility networks, commercial and residential buildings, and outdoor living spaces.

The table below summarizes CRH’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated.3

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to convey and promote understanding of management’s perspective regarding operational and financial performance for fiscal years 2025 and 2024. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.

For a discussion of our fiscal year 2024 results compared with our fiscal year 2023 results, please refer to Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" portion of the Company's 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2025.

The following discussion contains trend information and forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements, as well as from our historical performance, due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Provisions Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Of 1995” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our operating results depend upon economic cycles, seasonal and other weather‐related conditions, and trends in government funding initiatives, among other factors. Accordingly, financial results for any year presented, or year‐to‐year comparisons of reported results, may not be indicative of future operating results.

Overview

CRH is the leading provider of building materials critical to modernizing infrastructure. With our team of 83,032 people across 3,961 locations, our unmatched scale, connected portfolio, and deep local relationships make us the partner of choice for transportation, water and reindustrialization projects, shaping communities for a better tomorrow.

CRH’s connected portfolio supplies building materials across the construction value chain, better serving our customers’ needs and driving repeat business while making construction simpler, safer and more sustainable. This customer-centric approach combines our unique entrepreneurial culture, leading performance and local market knowledge with our value-added building products and services to be a valuable partner for customers across our end-markets. CRH’s leading positions of scale serve transportation and critical infrastructure, reindustrialization projects, and commercial and residential construction activity in North America, Europe and Australia.

Financial performance highlights:

CRH delivered another record performance in 2025 resulting in the following performance highlights (compared to 2024):

•Total revenues increased to $37.4 billion, compared with $35.6 billion in 2024;

•Net income increased to $3.8 billion compared with $3.5 billion in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA* increased to $7.7 billion in 2025 from $6.9 billion

in 2024;

•Net income margin was 10.1% in 2025 and 9.9% in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA margin* was 20.5% in 2025, an increase of 100 basis points (bps) compared with an Adjusted EBITDA margin* of 19.5% in 2024;

•Operating cash flow6 and Net cash provided by operating activities as a percentage of Net income of $5.6 billion and 148% were ahead of

2024 levels of $5.0 billion and 142%, respectively. Adjusted Free Cash Flow* and Adjusted Free Cash Flow Conversion* of $5.0 billion and

131% were ahead of 2024 levels of $4.2 billion and 120%, respectively; 7

•Operating income as a percentage of average invested capital was 15.2% in 2025 and 16.7% in 2024. Adjusted Return on Invested Capital* (Adjusted ROIC), decreased by 130bps to 12.1% in 2025, from 13.4% in 2024; and

•Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) in 2025 was $5.51 compared with $5.02 in 2024. Diluted EPS pre-impairment* was $5.57 in 2025 and

$5.43 in 2024.

Capital allocation highlights:

•38 acquisitions completed for a total consideration of $4.1 billion in 2025, compared with $5.0 billion in 2024. A further $2.7 billion was invested in growth and maintenance capital expenditure projects in 2025, compared with $2.6 billion in 2024;

•Cash paid to shareholders in 2025 through dividends was $1.0 billion and through share buybacks was $1.2 billion, compared with $1.7 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, in 2024;

•Full year dividend per share increase of 6% resulting in a dividend per share of $1.48 in 2025, from $1.40 in 2024; and

•Ongoing share buyback program in 2025 repurchased approximately 11.7 million Ordinary Shares for a total consideration of $1.2 billion, compared with $1.3 billion in 2024.

Development review

The Company takes an active approach to portfolio management and continuously reviews the competitive landscape for attractive investment and divestiture opportunities to deliver further growth and value creation for shareholders.

In 2025, CRH completed 38 acquisitions for a total consideration of $4.1 billion. Our largest acquisition in 2025 was in our Americas Materials Solutions segment where we acquired Eco Material, a leading supplier of SCMs in North America, for a total consideration of $2.1 billion. The Eco Material transaction strategically positions CRH to meet growing demand for SCMs to modernize North America's infrastructure. In addition, we completed another 18 acquisitions in our Americas Materials Solutions segment and five acquisitions in our Americas Building Solutions segment for a total 2025 investment in the Americas of $3.4 billion. We also completed 14 acquisitions in our International Solutions segment for a total 2025 investment of $0.7 billion. CRH completed six divestitures and realized proceeds from divestitures and disposal of long-lived assets (including deferred divestiture consideration received) of $0.5 billion.

* Represents a non-GAAP measure. See “Non-GAAP Reconciliation and Supplementary Information” on pages 35 to 38 for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

6 Operating cash flow refers to Net cash provided by operating activities as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows on pages 52 to 53.7

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In 2024, CRH completed 40 acquisitions for a total consideration of $5.0 billion. Our largest acquisition in 2024 was in our Americas Materials Solutions segment where we acquired an attractive portfolio of cement and readymixed concrete operations and assets in Texas, for a total consideration of $2.1 billion. In addition, we completed another 20 acquisitions in our Americas Materials Solutions segment and 10 acquisitions in our Americas Building Solutions segment for a total 2024 spend in the Americas of $3.8 billion. We also completed nine acquisitions in our International Solutions segment for a total 2024 spend of $1.2 billion, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Adbri, a market leader in cement and aggregates in Australia. In 2024, CRH completed 10 divestitures and realized proceeds from divestitures and disposal of long-lived assets (including deferred divestiture consideration received) of $1.4 billion, primarily related to the divestiture of the European Lime operations.

Outlook

We expect favorable underlying demand across our key end-markets, underpinned by significant public investment in infrastructure and continued reindustrialization activity. Within the residential sector we expect resilient repair and remodel activity while the new-build segment is expected to remain subdued. Assuming normal seasonal weather patterns and absent any major dislocations in the political or macroeconomic environment, CRH's superior strategy, connected portfolio and leading positions of scale in attractive high-growth markets, together with our strong and flexible balance sheet, are expected to underpin another year of growth and value creation in 2026.

Market Backdrop

CRH’s results can be impacted by trends and factors in the wider construction markets it is exposed to. The principal construction markets, for all segments, are infrastructure, including highways, streets, roads, tunnels and bridges; non-residential, including construction of critical infrastructure for the transport of water and energy, manufacturing, commercial, distribution and data center facilities; and residential, including new-build construction, and repair and remodel activity, of single and multi-family housing. North America is expected to be a key driver of future growth for CRH due to its positive demographic and economic fundamentals, including significant public investment in infrastructure and private investment in reindustrialization activity. Our International businesses, which benefit from strong economic and construction growth prospects as well as recurring repair and remodel demand, are an important strategic part of the Company. In 2025, approximately 75% of Net income and 71% of Adjusted EBITDA* was generated in North America, while approximately 25% of Net income and 29% of Adjusted EBITDA* was generated by our International Division. CRH intends to continue to expand its North American and International operations given significant government support for infrastructure and increasing investment in transportation, water and reindustrialization projects. See ‘Business Segment Information’ in Item 1. “Business” for details by segment.8

Infrastructure

Americas

Our North American businesses expect positive momentum in infrastructure activity, underpinned by robust state and federal funding, and continued support from the IIJA which was signed into law in November 2021. The IIJA is expected to provide federal highway funding of approximately $350 billion, including $110 billion of incremental funding for roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. We see significant funding runway ahead with approximately 50% of expected funds yet to be deployed. Aided by the IIJA, U.S. highway and bridge contract awards remained at elevated levels in 2025, underpinning a positive outlook for 2026 as state budgets reflect the need for increased public investment in infrastructure.

International

After a solid 2025, the outlook for 2026 in our International markets is underpinned by government and EU funding for the infrastructure sector, which typically fluctuates less than residential and non-residential sectors. In this sector, the impact of the business cycle is mitigated by long-term projects and a high share of activities financed by the public sector, with multinational EU funds serving as a stabilizing factor in some of our larger markets.

Non-Residential

Americas

In North America, a key driver of demand in the non-residential sector is increased reindustrialization activity across our operating footprint. Large, multi-year construction projects (including data centers, semiconductors, pharmaceutical & auto manufacturing facilities) are underpinned by supportive U.S. government policies including significant pledged investments in areas such as manufacturing and industrial capabilities. In addition, we expect critical infrastructure to continue to receive significant funding over the life of the IIJA in areas such as water (approximately $48 billion), energy (approximately $79 billion) and technology (approximately $65 billion).

International

The non-residential sector outlook is expected to improve in our International markets in 2026, supported by increased investment in technology-related sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing and data center facilities. Having stabilized in 2025, non-residential construction activity is expected to grow in Eastern Europe, underpinned by improving economic fundamentals. In Western Europe and Australia, improving construction confidence and supportive government initiatives are expected to support growth across the region.

Residential

Americas

Repair and remodel activity is expected to remain resilient in the near-ter

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