Latour, the Swedish investment and industrial group, announced that its industrial sales for the second quarter reached SEK 7.23 billion, representing a 3 % year‑over‑year increase as the market environment gradually improves. The industrial order intake for the quarter grew 11 % YoY, equivalent to a 13 % rise on a constant‑currency basis, bringing total Q2 industrial orders to SEK 7.81 billion. The industrial EBIT margin for the period stood at 13.8 %. Net asset value per share declined 3.7 % in the first half of the year, lagging behind the benchmark index. During the second quarter the company completed five acquisitions, which together with those made in the first quarter contributed SEK 700 million of net annualised acquired growth. Latour noted that construction market trends were mixed, with subdued residential activity in parts of Europe offset by strong demand for refurbishment and industrial infrastructure projects. The firm expects the strong order book to sustain net‑sales growth in the coming quarters and indicated that geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East is expected to have minimal financial impact. Market conditions are described as progressively improving yet remaining mixed across sectors and regions.