Summary of Skanska's Capital Markets Day 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Skanska (OTCPK:SKBS.Y) - **Event**: Capital Markets Day 2025 - **Date**: November 18, 2025 - **Location**: Seattle, The Eighth office tower - **Significance**: The U.S. market represents a significant growth area for Skanska, with a construction order backlog exceeding SEK 150 billion and SEK 20 billion in property investments [1][2] Key Points and Arguments U.S. Operations - **Historical Presence**: Skanska's U.S. operations began in 1971, with 17 acquisitions from 1971 to 2004 establishing a national presence [4][5] - **Market Footprint**: Skanska operates 25 offices across the U.S., with significant projects in New York, Boston, Washington D.C., North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Southern California [5][6][10][11][12][13] - **Project Highlights**: Notable projects include the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, Moynihan Train Hall, and various healthcare facilities [6][10][11] Financial Performance - **Revenue**: Skanska reported approximately SEK 180 billion in revenue, with a workforce of over 26,000 employees [20][21] - **Growth**: The construction stream has seen close to 20% revenue growth in the U.S. over the last two years, with strong performance in residential development in Central Europe [24][25] - **Profitability Targets**: The company aims for a construction margin of 4% or greater, with a current rolling 12-month margin of 3.9% [31][54] Strategic Priorities - **Diversification**: Skanska emphasizes a diversified portfolio across geographies and sectors to mitigate risks associated with market cycles [50] - **Sustainability Goals**: The company targets a 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and aims for net-zero emissions by 2045 [33][34] - **Digital Transformation**: Skanska is focusing on leveraging digital tools and technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency in construction operations [60][61] Market Outlook - **U.S. Market**: The U.S. civil market is expected to remain strong, with a focus on infrastructure projects, particularly in Florida and the Northeast [40][44] - **Central Europe**: Increased investments in infrastructure and energy due to geopolitical factors, such as the war in Ukraine, are anticipated to drive demand [47][49] Customer Relationships - **Client Base**: Skanska maintains a balanced client portfolio, with approximately 50% public and 50% private clients, enhancing its ability to manage risks [51] - **Long-term Partnerships**: The company has established strong relationships with key clients, which is crucial for securing future projects [44][45] Additional Important Content - **Cultural Values**: Skanska emphasizes a strong corporate culture and values that drive performance and customer focus [15][23] - **Investment Properties**: The company has been building its investment property portfolio, which is expected to contribute positively to cash flow and profitability [30][32] - **Future Growth**: Skanska is optimistic about growth opportunities in both the U.S. and Central Europe, driven by demographic trends and infrastructure needs [41][46] This summary encapsulates the key insights and strategic directions discussed during Skanska's Capital Markets Day 2025, highlighting the company's robust growth trajectory, commitment to sustainability, and focus on leveraging technology for future success.

Core Points - A group of Republican lawmakers expressed support for the Trump administration's initiative to allow alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies, in 401(k) plans [1][2][6] - The lawmakers believe that this executive order could enhance Americans' retirement savings and have urged the SEC to collaborate with the Labor Department to revise regulations for better accessibility [2][6] - The executive order aims to provide access to alternative investments, potentially benefiting 90 million Americans currently restricted from such options [9] Legislative Support - House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill and Subcommittee on Capital Markets Chair Ann Wagner, along with seven other GOP lawmakers, wrote to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins in support of the initiative [1][6] - The letter emphasized the importance of allowing access to alternative assets to improve net risk-adjusted returns for retirement savings [3][6] Executive Order Details - Trump's executive order opens 401(k) plans to various alternative assets, including private market investments, real estate, digital assets, commodities, infrastructure projects, and longevity risk-sharing pools [9][10] - The Labor Department has issued an advisory opinion affirming that lifetime income investment options qualify as a default investment alternative under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act [12][14] Implementation Steps - The SEC is encouraged to expedite assistance to the Labor Department and revise its regulations to facilitate access to alternative assets in participant-directed defined-contribution retirement plans [6][12] - Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer stated that the Department of Labor is actively working to implement the executive order, providing plan fiduciaries with more flexibility in designing retirement investment strategies [14]

Core Viewpoint - Merko Ehitus reported a solid performance in Q2 2025, with increased revenue and net profit driven by a robust real estate market, particularly in Vilnius, while facing challenges in the overall construction market due to tight competition and low volumes [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - Revenue for Q2 2025 was EUR 82.6 million, down from EUR 122.4 million in Q2 2024, while the first half of 2025 saw revenue of EUR 167.9 million compared to EUR 203.6 million in the same period last year, marking a 17.5% decrease [9]. - Net profit for Q2 2025 was EUR 11.2 million, compared to EUR 13.1 million in Q2 2024, and for the first half of 2025, net profit was EUR 21.7 million, up from EUR 17.5 million in the same period last year [8][9]. - The pre-tax profit margin improved to 14.0% in the first half of 2025, compared to 9.0% in the same period of 2024 [7]. Real Estate Development - The share of revenue from real estate development increased, contributing nearly 30% to half-year sales revenue, with the number of apartments handed over to buyers rising by almost 85% [2][11]. - In the first half of 2025, Merko launched the construction and sale of 723 new apartments, with significant activity in Vilnius [1][5]. Construction Market Dynamics - The construction market remains competitive with low volumes, but Merko's construction contracts portfolio increased by EUR 223 million in the first half of 2025 [3]. - Major contracts signed in Q2 included the Ülemiste terminal in Tallinn worth EUR 84.8 million and the Rail Baltica mainline section valued at approximately EUR 75 million [4]. Order Book and Future Outlook - As of June 30, 2025, the secured order book stood at EUR 443.8 million, slightly up from EUR 437.5 million a year earlier, with new contracts signed amounting to EUR 172.6 million in Q2 2025 [10]. - The public sector and large energy companies are expected to remain the primary buyers of construction services in the Baltic region over the next few years [3]. Cash Position and Equity - At the end of Q2 2025, Merko had EUR 25.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, with total equity of EUR 242.3 million, representing 60.1% of total assets [12][15]. - The group's net debt was negative EUR 1.1 million, indicating a strong financial position [12].