Krones stock faces slower 2026 growth as Q3 date nears
Published on 11/02/2026 at 09:46 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSOutlook cut, margins maintained
- Krones cited weaker markets, geopolitical pressure, higher customer costs and macroeconomic uncertainty.
- Preliminary nine-month figures show modest currency-adjusted growth while profitability remained resilient.
- The third-quarter statement is scheduled for November 6, making the next report a key test of demand and margins.
Krones has lowered its currency-adjusted revenue-growth outlook for 2026 to 1% to 2% from 3% to 5%, citing weaker markets, geopolitical conditions, higher costs for customers and continuing macroeconomic uncertainty. The revision was announced on October 22, while the company plans to publish its third-quarter statement on November 6.
Krones stock traded at 113.20 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 09:38 CET on Monday, November 2, 2026. Investors are now looking to the upcoming report for evidence of how weaker top-line momentum is affecting orders, profitability and the full-year targets.
Lower growth, steady profitability goals
In its ad-hoc disclosure, Krones said preliminary revenue for the first nine months was around 4.10 billion euros. Revenue adjusted for currency translation effects reached approximately 4.14 billion euros, including a negative impact of approximately 20 million euros from refunded US tariffs. Currency-adjusted revenue increased 0.8% from the prior-year period.
Preliminary EBITDA came to 453 million euros. The figure included a positive impact of approximately 10 million euros from the US tariff refund; excluding that effect, the EBITDA margin was expected to be 10.8% after the first three quarters. Krones maintained its full-year EBITDA-margin target of 10.7% to 11.1% and its ROCE target of 19% to 20%.
Medium-term targets move lower
The weaker 2026 outlook also prompted Krones to reduce its medium-term revenue expectation. For 2028, the company now expects revenue of 6.0 billion to 6.2 billion euros, compared with a previous target of around 7 billion euros. The medium-term EBITDA-margin target was narrowed to 11% to 12% from 11% to 13%, while the ROCE target remains above 20%.
Krones attributed the pressure to unfavorable developments in its relevant markets, challenging geopolitical conditions and cost increases affecting customers. The company said the factors would weigh on revenue growth in the fourth quarter. The figures in the October disclosure were preliminary, so the November statement will provide the next fuller view of actual operating performance.
For investors, the central issue is whether resilient profitability can offset slower sales expansion. The maintained 2026 margin and ROCE targets provide a counterpoint to the weaker revenue trajectory, but the third-quarter figures and management commentary should clarify the path for orders and customer spending.
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Krones AG at a glance
- Company: Krones AG
- ISIN: DE0006335003
- Ticker: KRN.DE
- Lang & Schwarz quote: 113.20 euros on November 2, 2026 at 09:38 CET
- 2026 revenue-growth outlook: 1% to 2%, adjusted for currency translation effects
- Next report: Third-quarter statement on November 6, 2026
