30.04.2025 / 07:00 CET/CESTSales revenues growth of 5% to EUR 924 million due to positivebusiness development and acquisitionsEBIT at EUR 108 million 1% above strong prior year quarterEarnings per share increased by 2% for both preference shares and ordinary sharesFull-year outlook 2025 confirmed.1. By company location“In a turbulent economic environment, we were able to build on the strong results of the previous year in the first three months of 2025 and increased our EBIT by EUR 1 million to EUR 108 million compared to the same quarter last year. Our sales revenues were 5% higher than last year thanks to business expansion and external growth. Once again, we benefited from our broad geographical positioning. Regarding the earnings development, China continued its positive development and started strongly into the year, which enabled a significant earnings increase in the Asia-Pacific region, offsetting a slightly weaker performance in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa).With our strong, largely independently operating regional centers in Europe, China and the USA, we believe we are optimally positioned in the current trade dispute, with manageable direct impacts on our sales. The extent to which further escalation will affect the global economy – and consequently us – remains difficult to estimate. We see diverse growth potential, but due to economic conditions, we continue to navigate cautiously. Our business model, with a global presence close to our customers and a very broad industry and customer mix, strengthens our confidence. Therefore, we confirm our outlook for the full year with an EBIT of around EUR 460 million.”Stefan Fuchs, Chairman of the Executive Board FUCHS SE.Business development in the groupIn the first three months of 2025, FUCHS generated sales revenues of EUR 924 million (877), which were 5% above the prior-year period due to positive business development and the contribution of acquisitions.EBIT improved by EUR 1 million or 1% to EUR 108 million (107) compared to the strong three months of the previous year. At 11.7% (12.2), the EBIT margin was below the previous year. The decline in the EBIT margin is traced back by temporarily higher other functional costs, which are related, among other things, to the acquisitions made and the one-time startup costs for large customer business.Earnings after tax remained at the previous year's level of EUR 77 million (77). Earnings per ordinary share and per preference share each increased by EUR 0.01 or 2% to EUR 0.59 (0.58). Free cash flow before acquisitions at EUR 17 million (15), above the previous year's level..Business development in the regionsAt EUR 522 million (511), sales revenues in the region Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) were 2% higher compared to the first three months of 2024, primarily driven by external growth. Whereas organic sales revenues development in Europe remained slightly behind the strong previous year’s quarter, South Africa recorded pleasing growth. External growth of EUR 14 million was generated through the acquisitions of LUBCON and STRUB in the second half of 2024 and BOSS, at the beginning of the current financial year. EBIT, on the contrary, was EUR 52 million (54), 4% below the strong first quarter of 2024. Whereas most countries had a subdued start to the year, South Africa continued its upward trend.Sales revenues in the region Asia-Pacific were EUR 264 million, 8% above the previous year's quarter (245) due to positive business development in China. India and Australia also achieved growth. EBIT increased significantly by EUR 4 million to EUR 33 million (29). This was mainly driven by the continued positive development in China, as well as positive developments in India and Vietnam.Sales revenues in the region North- and South America were EUR 183 million, 10% above the previous year (167) due to business growth. External growth of EUR 2 million was achieved, among other things, through the long-term trading partner in Peru, acquired in January. EBIT of EUR 21 million (21) was at the previous year's level. While North America benefited from continued positive development in Mexico, the challenging economic environment in South America persisted and weighed on the overall region..Outlook for 2025 confirmedAs a result of US President Trump’s tariff policy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its January forecast downward by 0.5 percentage points in its current outlook and now expects global economic growth of only 2.8% (3.3) for the current year. For Germany, the IMF anticipates stagnation.The impact of the geopolitical situation and of the trade conflict on global economy remain complex and difficult to assess. However, based on its stable business model, FUCHS confirms its existing forecast for the full year 2025:Sales revenues: around EUR 3.7 billionEBIT: around EUR 460 millionFVA: around EUR 260 millionFree cash flow before acquisitions: around EUR 260 millionThe company’s global positioning and solid financial base remains robust. FUCHS continues to focus on profitable growth and the further implementation of FUCHS 2025..Click the link below to read the full press release.FUCHS with a good start to 2025 in a challenging market environment
