**Summary of Forterra plcs Full Year Results for 2025**
Forterra plc, a leading UK manufacturer of clay and concrete building products, reported strong financial performance for the year 2025, despite challenging market conditions. The company announced a £20 million share buyback program, reflecting its confidence in its financial position and future prospects.
**Financial Highlights**
**Revenue Growth** Forterra achieved a 12.1% increase in revenue to £386.0 million, primarily driven by higher sales volumes, particularly in the brick segment.
**EBITDA Improvement** Adjusted EBITDA rose by 18.5% to £61.6 million, with a margin improvement of 90 basis points to 16.0%. This was attributed to increased sales volumes and operational efficiency.
**Profitability** Adjusted profit before tax (PBT) increased by 62.9% to £36.0 million, leading to a 65.8% rise in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) to 12.6 pence.
**Cash Generation** Strong cash flow from operations totaled £68.7 million, reducing net debt (pre-leases) to £55.7 million, equivalent to a leverage ratio of approximately 1.0 times.
**Strategic Progress**
**Production Capacity** The Wilnecote factory is nearing completion, and the Desford factory increased output by running both kilns simultaneously for the first time.
**Product Innovation** Forterra launched the Omnia range of extruded brick slips, securing initial sales.
**Sustainability** The company industrialized the production of calcined clay, a low-carbon cement substitute, and is exploring opportunities to expand its use.
**Capital Allocation**
**Dividend Policy** Forterra maintained its progressive dividend policy, recommending a final dividend of 4.3 pence per share, bringing the total dividend for 2025 to 6.2 pence, more than double the previous year.
**Share Buyback** The company announced a £20 million share buyback program for 2026, reflecting its commitment to returning surplus capital to shareholders.
**Market Outlook**
**2026 Outlook** Forterra anticipates demand in 2026 to be similar to 2025, with a potential shift towards the second half of the year. The company expects to recover modest cost inflation through pricing negotiations.
**Long-Term Prospects** Despite short-term challenges, Forterra remains confident in the long-term attractiveness of its markets, driven by housing shortages, government initiatives, and constrained supply of building products.
**Conclusion**
Forterra plc demonstrated resilience and strong financial performance in 2025, outperforming the wider market. The companys strategic investments, focus on operational efficiency, and commitment to sustainability position it well for future growth. The share buyback program and progressive dividend policy underscore Forterras confidence in its ability to generate value for shareholders.