HeidelbergCement: U.S. tax reform a plus after $240M charge for 2017

Sources: HeidelbergCement AG, Germany; CP staff

Lehigh Hanson parent company HeidelbergCement estimates a €200 million ($240 million) charge against net 2017 profit due to accounting measures stemming from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act —the sweeping tax reform President Donald Trump signed into law late last year. The law reduces the federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, but requires companies like HeidelbergCement to recalculate loss carried-forwards and deferred tax assets on losses in their consolidated 2017 financial statements. The one-time action will not impact earnings before tax or cash flow in 2017, HeidelbergCement notes, adding that the new U.S. tax rate will positively affect group net profit and cash flow beginning in 2019.

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