Holcim raises annual profit outlook after strong third-quarter growth

23. Oct 2026

(AWP Alliance News) - Holcim Ltd on Friday raised its full-year profit guidance after reporting higher sales and earnings in the first nine months of 2026, supported by strong customer demand and cost discipline.

Shares in Holcim were 5.3% higher at CHF66.96 in Zurich on Friday morning.

The Zug, Switzerland-based building materials company said net sales rose 5.7% to CHF12.59 billion, around USD15.30 billion, in the nine months to September from CHF11.91 billion a year earlier, representing organic growth of 5.2%.

Recurring earnings before interest and tax increased 6.1% to CHF2.41 billion from CHF2.28 billion, with organic growth of 12%.

Recurring Ebit margin improved to 19.2% from 19.1%.

In the third quarter alone, net sales jumped 16% to CHF4.66 billion from CHF4.04 billion, while recurring Ebit increased 17% to CHF976 million from CHF836 million.

The quarterly recurring Ebit margin expanded to 20.9% from 20.7%.

Holcim said growth was supported by increased demand for its higher-value products, strict cost discipline and operational improvements.

Chief Executive Officer Miljan Gutovic said: "In the first nine months of the year, we achieved strong profitable growth with an industry-leading recurring EBIT margin thanks to increased customer demand for our high-value offering, strict cost discipline and operational excellence."

By region, nine-month sales in Europe rose 7.7% to CHF7.01 billion, while Latin American revenue jumped 22% to CHF2.75 billion.

However, sales in Asia, the Middle East and Africa fell 15% to CHF2.37 billion, despite 7.9% organic growth.

Holcim also highlighted its expansion through acquisitions, completing 10 acquisitions and one divestment in the first nine months.

Looking ahead, Holcim upgraded its full-year 2026 organic recurring Ebit growth guidance to between 10% and 12%.

It also expects organic net sales growth of around 5%, further improvement in its recurring Ebit margin and free cash flow of approximately CHF2.00 billion.

By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News senior economics reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom [at] alliancenews.com