Hochtief looking to Canada and India in 2011: CEO

Germany's largest construction group Hochtief is confident that 2011 will be a lucrative year and is currently in talks with potential targets in both India and Canada, the group's CEO told Reuters in an interview.

"We are leading constructive dialogues with a number of companies," Herbert Luetkestratkoetter said on Monday, adding that he sees potential acquisition targets in India and Canada.

Luetkestratkoetter added that talks with Spanish rival ACS are currently "ongoing".

Since September the two groups have been embroiled in a takeover battle. Earlier this month ACS passed the 30% threshold with its stake in German builder, allowing it to raise its holding further without another full bid.

Luetkestratkoetter further said the business strategy of it Australian unit Leighton needed to be examined "thoroughly" after the group issued a profit warning on Monday.

He was speaking to Reuters after the group said 2010 earnings would be "well above" the previous year.