Poor weather conditions in Europe, North America and some parts of North Africa affected Ciment Francais’ sales in the first quarter. In Egypt, fuel supply issues impacted sales which were down by 18.2per cent. Morocco also saw a decline of 8.6per cent. Asia was stable and North America was more positive in the second quarter. Net consolidate group profit totalled €48.4 million, down from €75.8 million in 1H12, while investments in industrial assets over the six-month period totalled €125 million, up from last year’s €122.4 million in the same period. Net financial debt has gone-up by €38.1 million over 1H13 and the debt-to-equity ratio reached 22.3per cent from 22.4per cent as of end December 2012.