Building group CRH has reports a 82% fall in pre-tax profits for the first half of 2009.

Listed as ISEQ's largest firm, before tax revenue hit just €108m, down almost €500m on last year (€606m).

Earnings per share fell 84% to 12.2c.

CRH said the first three months of this year had proved the most difficult, with the rate of decline easing in the second three months.

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However, CRH said it was cautiously optimistic about the rest of the year.

CRH boss Myles Lee said: "While overall group profitability in the second half of 2009 will be lower than in 2008, we will benefit from the aggressive cost reduction measures undertaken in 2008 and to date in 2009 and from more moderate second-half energy-related input costs than in 2008."

The company intends to maintain the interim dividend at 18.5c. The board will decide on and announce the 2009 final dividend in March next year.

See: News 'Mixed' As Construction Falters

(PR/BMcC)