DHL Group revised upward its profit forecast for 2026, pointing to ongoing earnings strength at its express division and expectations of a “robust” peak shipping season that coincides with holiday sales.
The global logistics giant said Friday it now expects earnings before interest and taxes to exceed 7 billion euros (equivalent to $7.8 billion), topping its earlier outlook for $7.3 billion from core operations.
DHL Group (XETRA: DHL) also raised its full-year projection for free cash flow to $3.6 billion from $3.37 billion earlier. Capital expenditures are expected to rise to about $4 billion, up from about $3.4 billion to $3.7 billion as DHL invests in projects for further growth.
The company announced last week, for example, that it plans to invest $450 million to expand capabilities in Central and Eastern Europe by 2030.
Group EBIT during the third quarter reached $1.92 billion, up 16% year over year and above the consensus estimate by analysts. DHL Express led the way with adjusted operating profit increasing 49.5% to $1.16 billion on the strength of higher yield, continued cost efficiencies and a more disciplined approach towards accepting heavy airfreight, which commands higher rates, over lightweight shipments transported by the company’s in-house airline. Heavyweight air has been a point of emphasis for the company this year. The tight air freight market also boosted results.
DHL Global Forwarding also performed well, generating EBIT of $292 million, up a third from the prior year, excluding small one-time effects in 2025. Earnings at DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics unit, increased 7.9% to $337 million on an adjusted basis.
DHL eCommerce had adjusted operating profit of $56.2 million, down from $198 million in the third quarter of 2025. The prior year benefitted from a one-time $138.2 million gain.
Operating profit at Post & Parcel Germany declined 32% to $168.5 million.
Full third-quarter results are scheduled to be released on Nov. 5.
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