SKF lifts Q3 margin to 16.3 percent. ABG raises target for SKF stock

Published on 10/23/2026 at 10:20 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

ABG lifts its target to SEK 275 from SEK 270 on October 21, 2026. SKF stock costs EUR 23.82 on October 23, 2026 after margin reached 16.3 percent.

Margin improvement and separation dates

SKF reported a 16.3 percent adjusted operating margin for the third quarter on October 21, 2026.
ABG Sundal Collier lifted its target to SEK 275 from SEK 270 on October 21, 2026.
SKF stock trades at EUR 23.82 at 10:09 a.m. CEST at Lang & Schwarz on October 23, 2026.

Schwarzweiß-Reportagefoto von Arbeitern in einer Wälzlagerfabrik — Dokumentarische Schwarzweiß-Aufnahme von SKF AB (ISIN SE0000108227) Fabrikarbeitern bei Wälzlagerfertigung in Industriehalle, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

SKF (ISIN SE0000108227) reported an adjusted operating margin of 16.3 percent for the third quarter of 2026 on October 21, 2026, up from 15.4 percent a year earlier. The result came as the Swedish bearing maker prepared for the separation of its Automotive business, while ABG Sundal Collier raised its target for SKF from SEK 270 to SEK 275 and reiterated a hold rating, as reported by MarketScreener on October 21, 2026.

Margin gains reshape the results

SKF reported third-quarter net sales of SEK 17.5 billion, compared with SEK 16.6 billion in the prior-year quarter. Organic growth reached 4.3 percent, while adjusted operating profit rose to SEK 2.8 billion from SEK 2.6 billion. The adjusted margin therefore improved by 0.9 percentage points year over year.

The earnings mix matters more than the headline sales figure. Specialized Industrial Solutions delivered 8.3 percent organic growth, and SKF said rightsizing savings reached SEK 350 million in the quarter. The company now expects its SEK 2 billion annual savings run rate by mid-2027, six months earlier than previously planned, according to the October 21 release.

Three events shape SKF's split

On October 1, 2026, SKF's Extraordinary General Meeting approved the distribution of SKF Vertevo shares, with five SKF Class B shares entitling holders to one SKF Vertevo Class B share, according to SKF. On October 21, the third-quarter report showed 4.3 percent organic growth. On the same date, ABG Sundal Collier raised its target to SEK 275 from SEK 270.

What does 16.3 percent mean?

The margin gives investors a measurable test for SKF's industrial business as Automotive moves toward a separate listing. The company expects fourth-quarter organic sales from continuing operations to strengthen year over year, while the 16.3 percent third-quarter margin shows that price mix and cost actions are already supporting profitability. Nasdaq Stockholm data showed SKF B at SEK 265.30 at 10:15 a.m. CEST on October 23, 2026, with a 52-week range of SEK 204.80 to SEK 282.00.

Two separation dates are next

SKF Vertevo's Capital Markets Day is scheduled for November 17, 2026, and the record date for the distribution is expected on November 27, 2026, according to SKF. The first trading day for SKF Vertevo shares is expected on December 1, 2026, keeping the separation timetable central to the next phase of the SKF investment case.

Stock price and investor view

SKF's adjusted margin, savings timetable and separation calendar now provide three concrete measures for judging the next results. The current market value of SKF is SEK 120.8 billion, while its Stockholm-listed B share stood below the 52-week high of SEK 282.00 on October 23, 2026.

SKF stock was trading at EUR 23.82 at Lang & Schwarz on October 23, 2026 at 10:09 a.m. CEST.

The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of SKF stock.