Fletcher coy about Australian ambitions

Fletcher Building is staying coy about speculation it is considering buying two large Australian aggregate businesses.

Reports that the Penrose-headquartered diversified business is casting an eye over part of Cemex and Hanson have not been dismissed.

But neither have they been confirmed.

Asked about whether Fletcher was looking at the businesses, investor relations manager Philip King was equivocal. "Given we have large operations in Australia, we do often get offered the chance to look at other assets and businesses that come on the market from time to time."

One publication said buying either Cemex or Hanson would give Fletcher dominance on both sides of the Tasman.