LafargeHolcim confirms outlook with second quarter earnings beat

LafargeHolcim reported better-than-expected operating profit in its second quarter and reaffirmed its guidance, easing the pressure on management struggling to make a success of the mega-merger that created the building materials giant. After a 17 percent fall in the first quarter, analysts said the company would need to report at least flat growth in the second quarter if LafargeHolcim was to achieve the target.