The company achieved a net profit for the period of nearly EUR 44 million compared with a loss of almost EUR 35 million reported last year first quarter. The group recorded earnings before tax of EUR 123 million, a sharp improvement on last year's losses, driven by the strong turnaround at Asia Pacific, but as well with encouraging progress at the group's other operating divisions. The company reported that the net debt went up by EUR 1.3 billion to EUR 2.2 billion during the quarter with the Asia Pacific division registering the largest variation. The rise in operating CapEx, which is gross purchases of intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and investment properties, to EUR 266 million reflects the investment at Leighton contract mining business. Earnings went up significantly from EUR 11.7 million to EUR 16.2 million in first quarter 2013. Main reasons, as planned, the company continues applying the measures launched in the civil business during last year, thus there is reasonable improvement in this segment. Based on updated internal budget and following a firm first quarter performance, the company is now in a position to be more positive on the outlook for 2013. When publishing the full year figures 2012 in February, the company had guided a 10% to 20% year-on-year increase of EBT and net profit, respectively, for 2013, equivalent to approximately EUR 601 million to EUR 656 million EBT and EUR 174 million to EUR 190 million of net profit for 2013. The company now expects for the whole group, on a comparable basis, a stronger earnings increase in 2013, with EBT reaching EUR 670 million to EUR 750 million; and net profit, EUR 210 million to EUR 250 million. This is before adjusting for the sale of HOCHTIEF AirPort, which is expected to be closed with retroactive effect as of January 1, 2013. The company had a clear target to reduce the CapEx going forward.

Strabag SE (WBAG:STR) is still interested for the stake in Hochtief AG (DB:HOT). Hans Peter Haselsteiner, Chief Executive Officer of Strabag said that Strabag is still interested in buying the services business of Hochtief which is up for sale. Hans Peter said, "We will certainly take part. Our interest is lively." Hans Peter added that process is under way.

Several bidders have shown interest to acquire stakes in the airports business of Hochtief AG (DB:HOT), Reuters reported. Fraport AG (XTRA:FRA), Global Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (TSX:BAM.A) and Allianz SE (DB:ALV) have already submitted offers, Reuters said citing two people familiar with the deal. According to one of Reuters' sources, a fifth bidder has launched an offer for the German operations of Hochtief's airport business. A source representing a potential buyer of the assets has said Hochtief could now fetch as much as €1.2 billion in the sale, which Deutsche Bank is organizing. Deutsche Bank, Hochtief, Fraport and Allianz declined to comment, while Global Infrastructure Partners and Brookfield were not immediately available for comment to Reuters.