Essity stock carries 5.7 percent sales growth in Q2 2026
Published on 09/25/2026 at 10:59 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Essity stock was trading at SEK 260.70 on Nasdaq Stockholm on September 25, 2026, up 0.12 percent from the previous close. The hygiene company reported Q2 2026 net sales of SEK 35.061 billion, a 5.7 percent increase from SEK 34.185 billion in Q2 2025.
Sales grow while margins narrow
Revenue growth did not translate into higher operating profit. According to Affarsvärlden, Q2 operating profit was SEK 3.846 billion, down from SEK 4.386 billion in Q2 2025. The operating margin consequently declined to 11.0 percent from 12.8 percent, while earnings per share fell to SEK 3.94 from SEK 4.39.
The comparison gives Essity a mixed second-quarter profile. Sales increased by SEK 876 million year over year, but operating profit decreased by SEK 540 million, making margin recovery more important than headline revenue growth for the next results cycle.
Buyback reaches SEK 1.5 billion
Essity repurchased 397,967 Class B shares between September 14 and September 18, 2026, at a weighted average price of SEK 264.2234. The transaction value was SEK 105.152187 million, according to Nasdaq Stockholm.
The cumulative buyback has reached 5,562,472 shares worth SEK 1.499513546 billion under the SEK 3 billion program announced in April 2026. Essity held 6,802,595 treasury Class B shares after the September 18 purchases, while total shares outstanding stood at 681,945,171.
Stock remains below yearly high
At SEK 260.70, Essity stock stood SEK 32.40 below its 52-week high of SEK 293.10 and SEK 21.30 above its 52-week low of SEK 239.40 on September 25, 2026. The market capitalization was SEK 176.640230057 billion on the same date.
The next valuation test is operational rather than purely financial engineering. Q2 sales growth was positive, but the 1.8 percentage point margin decline shows why investors will weigh profitability alongside the continuing buyback.
Next report arrives in October
Essity has scheduled its Q3 2026 interim report for October 22, 2026. The report will show whether the company can convert the sales trajectory into a stronger operating margin while the buyback continues.
Essity stock key data
- Company: Essity AB (publ)
- Ticker: ESSITY B
- Trading venue: Nasdaq Stockholm
- Price: SEK 260.70 on September 25, 2026
- Market capitalization: SEK 176.640230057 billion as of September 25, 2026
- 52-week range: SEK 239.40-293.10 as of September 25, 2026
- Sector / Industry: Personal Products
- Next earnings date: October 22, 2026
