Europe's recovering building sector gives Saint-Gobain sales a boost

Saint-Gobain, France, posted a stronger-than-expected 12.2 percent rise in first-quarter sales, helped by a recovering building sector in Europe and a mild winter. Company officials said Asia and emerging countries should continue posting robust growth, while in western Europe a recovery in the new construction and renovation markets should continue, according to an April 28 Reuters report.

In North Amercia, industrial markets should see "brisk trading," but conditions in the construction sector remained "challenging." However, there should be signs of improvement by year-end, according to a Saint-Gobain statement cited by Reuters.