LEM reports stable topline, increased profitability in 2025/ 26 with strong booking momentum - strategic options review initiated
26.05.2026 - 06:30:15 | dgap.de| LEM HOLDING SA / Key word(s): Annual Results 26-May-2026 / 06:30 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Sales impacted by FX: At constant currencies, sales were broadly stable, declining by 0.2%, while reported sales fell 6.3% to CHF 287.7 million, reflecting depreciation in CNY and USD. Automation remained a key growth driver, posting robust growth of 10.2% at constant currency. Bookings: Bookings* reached CHF 295.9 million, rebounding with strong sequential improvement from Q2 2025/26. The book-to-bill ratio of 1.16 for Q4 2025/26 signals recovery. Momentum was particularly evident in Automation, supported by increasing demand in data center cooling and high-voltage infrastructure, as well as in Energy Distribution & High Precision, driven by positive trends in data center power supply. The majority of data center-related sales are expected to materialize in 2026/27, reflecting typical lead times and project cycles. Gross margin stabilized over the course of the year, with the positive momentum that began in Q2 2025/26 continuing throughout the remainder of the year. This development is attributable to the successful implementation of strategic pricing initiatives and substantial productivity gains in the supply chain. These were achieved through purchasing cost reductions, value?engineering of products, and production transfers. Solid EBIT improvement: EBIT increased by 29.2% to CHF 24.4 million, with the EBIT margin rising to 8.5%. This led to a significant increase in net profit of 17.5% to CHF 9.9 million, resulting in net profit margin recovery to 3.4% of sales. “Fit for Growth”: the company-wide transformation and efficiency improvement program progressed as planned and delivered the targeted strong operational efficiency gains, as seen for instance in the SG&A reduction of 12.0%. Strong free cash flow: Free cash flow improved significantly to CHF 31.7 million, compared to CHF 14.0 million in the prior year period, supported by the higher EBIT and improved discipline managing working capital and capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow before restructuring costs reached CHF 40.1 million. The strong cash generation contributed to a reduction in net financial debt to CHF 59.8 million, thereby further strengthening the balance sheet. Outlook: LEM sees encouraging signs of a sequential improvement in bookings, driven by increasing demand from data center-related customers in Automation and Energy Distribution & High Precision, which is expected to further support the positive momentum. At the same time, LEM remains cautious about the general business development due to the uncertain global macro-economic environment. Mid-term financial ambitions: LEM reconfirms its mid-term financial ambitions to reflect the evolving market environment and currency developments. Following a phase of market adjustment expected to last through FY2026/27, LEM targets sustainable average annual sales growth of 4 to 7% at constant exchange rates and a gradual improvement of the EBIT margin towards a 10 to 15% range. Strategic options review initiated: Based on the improved business performance, LEM has drawn the attention of certain interested parties. In accordance with its fiduciary duties, the Board of Directors is conducting a review of potential strategic options to increase long-term value creation. The process is at an early stage, and no decision has been made. There can be no assurances that the review will result in any transaction or other specific outcome. * LEM adjusted its order booking system in 2025/26. Prior year bookings were restated as disclosed in Q1 2025/26. Frank Rehfeld, Chief Executive Officer, said: “LEM delivered a solid performance in the 2025/26 financial year marked by an improvement in profitability, while market conditions remained mixed and currency headwinds persisted. Growth momentum was particularly encouraging in Automation and Energy Distribution & High Precision, supported by normalized inventory levels and rising demand linked to data center infrastructure. LEM benefited from disciplined execution of our ‘Fit for Growth’ efficiency improvement program, with the EBIT margin showing significant improvement to 8.5%. Our improved profitability demonstrates the resilience of our business model and provides a strong foundation to capture long-term opportunities driven by structural megatrends such as data center infrastructure, electrification, energy transition and e-mobility.” Sales by business
Sales in the Americas increased over the period lifted by tariff effects and order intake momentum improved in the fourth quarter. In Energy Distribution & High Precision, data center-related applications developed positively, while charging infrastructure remained weak, despite increasing project activity. Track was stable, following the completion of a major project, with new projects expected. Automation recovered, supported by normalized inventory levels, improved demand in drives and strong data center-related activity, while pricing remained stable. Automotive remained weak due to lower EV demand and postponed projects. In Renewable Energy, demand remained under pressure. “Fit for Growth” increases efficiency and margins In the context of a price pressure environment, the gross margin stabilized, with the positive momentum that began in Q2 2025/26 continuing throughout the remainder of the year. This development is attributable to the successful implementation of strategic pricing initiatives and significant productivity gains in the supply chain. The company-wide transformation and efficiency improvement program “Fit for Growth” delivered the targeted results, as evidenced by a 12.0% decrease in SG&A, while sales declined by 6.3%. SG&A costs as a percentage of sales were reduced to 21.6%. R&D costs decreased by 23.6% to CHF 27.0 million or 9.4% of sales. The positive effects of the “Fit for Growth” program are also reflected in the 29.2% increase in EBIT to CHF 24.4 million, with the EBIT margin rising to 8.5%. Included are one-time restructuring costs of CHF 1.9 million for the “Fit for Growth” program. EBIT before restructuring costs achieved CHF 26.2 million, yielding a strong EBIT margin of 9.1%. The company has completed its restructuring initiatives, with a total of CHF 9.8 million one-time costs. Net financial expenses increased to CHF4.8 million due to slightly higher average financial debt. Exchange rate effects from the Swiss franc appreciation had a smaller negative impact of CHF1.6 million compared to CHF3.9 million in the prior year. Income taxes rose from CHF2.1million to CHF8.0million, reflecting the higher global profitability and the temporary non?recognition of certain local operating losses for tax purposes. Net income expanded by 17.5% to CHF 9.9 million, resulting in an improved net profit margin of 3.4%. Strong Free Cash Flow powered by “Fit for Growth” efficiency improvements Free Cash Flow improved significantly to CHF 31.7 million, compared to CHF 14.0 million in the prior year period, supported by the higher EBIT and a better discipline managing working capital and capital expenditures, implemented through the “Fit for Growth” program. Free Cash Flow before restructuring cash disbursements reached CHF 40.1 million. The strong cash generation contributed to a reduction in net financial debt to CHF 59.8 million, thereby further strengthening the balance sheet. Proposal to refrain from paying a dividend for the 2025/26 financial year LEM targets a payout ratio significantly above 50% of the consolidated net profit for the year. In view of the uncertainty surrounding the economic environment, the Board of Directors proposes not to declare a dividend for the 2025/26 financial year. However, LEM remains committed to resume its attractive and sustainable dividend policy in the future. Outlook LEM sees encouraging signs of a sequential improvement in bookings, driven by increasing demand from data center-related customers in Automation and Energy Distribution & High Precision, which is expected to further support the positive momentum. At the same time, LEM remains cautious about the general business development due to the uncertain global macro-economic environment. Mid-term financial ambitions LEM reconfirms its mid-term financial ambitions to reflect the evolving market environment and currency developments. Following a phase of market adjustment expected to last through FY2026/27, LEM targets sustainable average annual sales growth of 4 to 7% at constant exchange rates and a gradual improvement of the EBIT margin towards a 10 to 15% range. Investor, analyst and media conference Andreas Hürlimann, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Frank Rehfeld, CEO, and Antoine Chulia, CFO, will explain the 2025/26 full-year results today at 10:30 am CET at a conference for investors, analysts and media at the Widder Hotel in Zurich. Conference call and audio webcast The conference for investors, analysts and the media will be broadcast via conference call and audio webcast. To participate in the conference call, please register via this link. You will then receive a confirmation e-mail with individual dial-in data. As a participant in the conference call, you can follow the presentation here (please mute the browser sound). To access the live audio webcast, please use this link. Questions can be asked via the chat function. A recording of the webcast will be available after the call from LEM’s website or using the same link. Download link The ad hoc announcement, Annual Report and presentation are available in the Investor Relations section of the LEM website (www.lem.com/en/investors), where the webcast recording will later also be archived. Financial calendar The financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March
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| Language: | English |
| Company: | LEM HOLDING SA |
| Route du Nant-d'Avril 152 | |
| 1217 Meyrin | |
| Switzerland | |
| E-mail: | investor@lem.com |
| Internet: | www.lem.com |
| ISIN: | CH0022427626 |
| Listed: | SIX Swiss Exchange |
| EQS News ID: | 2332986 |
| End of Announcement | EQS News Service |
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