Daimler Truck stock: Q3 adjusted EBIT rises 73% on US rebound
Published on 11/06/2026 at 10:36 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSNorth America drives quarterly recovery
- North American truck demand led Daimler Truck's earnings improvement in the third quarter.
- Management maintained its full-year outlook after the stronger quarter.
- Higher volumes also supported performance at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
Daimler Truck reported a sharp third-quarter improvement on Friday, November 6, as the recovery in North American truck demand lifted group profitability. Adjusted operating profit rose 73% year on year to 1.12 billion euros from 648 million euros, beating the company-compiled consensus of 1.10 billion euros, according to Reuters.
The result marked a pronounced recovery from the weak prior-year quarter, when subdued freight activity and uncertainty over US import tariffs weighed on demand and orders. Chief Executive Karin Radstrom said the performance showed that Daimler Truck was continuing to build momentum across the business.
US trucks lead the turnaround
Trucks North America was the main earnings driver. The division's adjusted operating profit rose to 691 million euros from 257 million euros, while its adjusted return on sales increased to 12.1% from 6.4%. Unit sales climbed 51% to 45,629 vehicles, giving the group a stronger base for the quarter.
The improvement indicates that the US heavy-duty truck market is beginning to emerge from a prolonged downturn. Fleets had delayed purchases during the earlier period of weak freight activity and tariff uncertainty, while manufacturers reduced production. The latest figures suggest that replacement demand and improving conditions are translating into higher volumes for Daimler Truck.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks also contributed. Its unit sales increased to 40,362 vehicles from 35,818, while adjusted operating profit rose to 337 million euros from 319 million euros. The development in North America was nevertheless more pronounced, making the division the central factor in the group's quarterly earnings recovery.
Guidance remains unchanged
Daimler Truck maintained its full-year outlook after the third-quarter improvement. The company continues to target adjusted group EBIT of 3.6 billion to 4.1 billion euros, industrial business revenue of 43 billion to 47 billion euros, an adjusted return on sales of 7% to 9%, free cash flow of 3 billion to 3.5 billion euros and unit sales of 340,000 to 370,000 vehicles.
That unchanged outlook leaves investors focused on whether the North American recovery can continue through the final quarter and offset weaker areas of the portfolio. For the share, the earnings release improves the near-term operating picture, but the guidance range also signals that the full-year result still depends on volumes, pricing and regional market conditions.
The real-time quote of Daimler Truck stock showed 40.99 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 10:32 CET on Friday, November 6, 2026, 2.20% below the Xetra close of Thursday, November 5.
Daimler Truck Holding AG
- ISIN: DE000DTR0CK8
- Stock: Daimler Truck stock
- Quarter: Third quarter 2026
- Adjusted operating profit: 1.12 billion euros
- Lang & Schwarz quote: 40.99 euros at 10:32 CET on November 6, 2026
- Change versus Xetra close: 2.20% lower than November 5, 2026
- Full-year adjusted group EBIT outlook: 3.6 billion to 4.1 billion euros
The Euro Stoxx 50 provides the broader market context for investors following Daimler Truck.
Investor attention now turns to the company's fourth-quarter execution, with North American demand and the conversion of higher volumes into sustainable margins likely to remain key share-price factors. More news and analyses on Daimler Truck stock are available on the company topic page.
