Article
Global Powers of Construction 2019
Explore the key strategies, drivers, and current economic situation of the construction industry globally
The last few years saw the construction market growing at a moderate pace. But, the slight deceleration in 2019 combined with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively impacted forecasts for 2020 and
increased uncertainty levels for the subsequent years. However, the construction sector remains resilient as one of the few that is expected to grow by 0.5 percent this year. Global demand for infrastructure continues to be high for the next 30 years since only 25 percent of the infrastructure required by 2050, actually exists today.
The Global Powers of Construction 2019 (GPoC) report ranks the top 100 global construction companies based on sales, and the top 30 companies based on market capitalization. Like previous years, GPOC 2019 analyzes the current macroeconomic outlook of the construction sector and forecasts its growth across major markets. It also analyzes the key financial indicators of the leading players− performance in terms of revenue, market capitalization, international presence, diversification, profitability, indebtedness, and other financial ratios.
Key findings:
- The total revenue obtained by the GPoC companies in 2019 amounted to US$ 1,462 trillion, five percent year-on-year (YoY) increase, with 10 companies recording double-digit increases.
- Chinese companies dominate the Top 100 ranking in terms of revenue, representing 44 percent of the total.
- The financial performance of the Top 30 GPoC in 2019 was uneven. While profitability improved, net debt rose by 12 percent.
- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic slowing down the global economy, which is projected to contract by three percent in 2020, the construction industry is expected to grow by 0.5 percent this year.
- GPoC reported a strong overall performance in the stock markets in 2019, despite the commercial tensions between the US and China, discussions on the final terms of Brexit, and the political and economic crises in the Middle East and Latin America, among other factors.
- In 2019 our GPoC obtained 19 percent of the total revenue outside of their respective domestic markets, which highlights the efforts by companies to seek growth opportunities abroad.
- Most construction groups have diversified their portfolio to perform activities throughout the entire infrastructure cycle increasing synergies and harnessing their competitive advantages, resulting in higher profitability.