EQS-News: R. Stahl AG
/ Key word(s): 9 Month figures/Quarterly / Interim Statement
R. STAHL publishes nine-month figures – demand remains subdued
04.11.2025 / 07:30 CET/CEST
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R. STAHL publishes nine-month figures – demand remains subdued
- Following strong order intake in the first quarter of 2025, orders weakened in the second and third quarters. In the first nine months of 2025, order volume amounted to € 238.1 million (previous year: € 255.2 million).
- Sales were down 12.1% to € 229.8 million from January to September as a result of the subdued demand.
- Development of EBITDA pre exceptionals was positive in the third quarter, increasing by 28.8% to € 11.3 million. In the first nine months, this figure fell from € 28.1 million in the previous year to € 20.2 million. The company is systematically implementing the cost-cutting measures introduced in the second quarter.
- The Executive Board continues to expect Group sales of between € 320 million and € 330 million for full-year 2025. For EBITDA pre exceptionals, R. STAHL forecasts a figure of between € 25 million and € 30 million.
Waldenburg, 4 November 2025 - The difficult global economic situation combined with ongoing uncertainties related to potential trade conflicts are impacting and delaying investment decisions on the part of customers. This is having a negative impact on R. STAHL’s business. Demand for electrical explosion protection dampened in almost all customer sectors over the course of the year.
Order intake down 6.7% to € 238.1 million after nine months – order backlog stands at € 105.8 million
While order intake remained very high in the first quarter at € 98.8 million, order volume in the second quarter (€ 67.0 million) and third quarter (€ 72.2 million) was lower. From January to September of 2025, order intake decreased by 6.7% year-on-year to € 238.1 million (previous year: € 255.2 million). While the order volume in Asia increased slightly, R. STAHL recorded lower order intake in the other regions – especially in the Central region (Africa, Europe excluding Germany) – in the first three quarters of 2025.
At € 105.8 million, the order backlog as of 30 September 2025 was slightly below the prior year figure of € 107.9 million and € 10.0 million higher than the order backlog at the end of 2024 (€ 95.8 million).
Sales down 12.1% year-on-year after nine months – all sales markets record declines
Although sales in the third quarter of 2025 (€ 78.6 million) exceeded that of the second quarter (€ 77.9 million) and the first quarter (€ 73.3 million), it remained at a low level overall. After nine months, R. STAHL’s sales dipped 12.1% from € 261.4 million in the previous year to € 229.8 million. While revenue in the Central region (- 5.9%) fell at a disproportionately low rate, the decline in Germany was roughly in line with the Group average (- 13.7%). The sales regions Americas (- 16.2%) and Asia/Pacific (- 22.8%) recorded greater sales losses from January to September.
Good profitability in the third quarter – cost-cutting measures take effect
In the second quarter of 2025, the Executive Board initiated measures to adapt cost structures – especially personnel costs – to the decline in demand and to secure R. STAHL’s profitability. The measures are being implemented consistently and are beginning to take effect.
R. STAHL improved its profitability in the third quarter despite declining sales revenues. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) pre exceptionals increased from July to September by € 2.5 million to € 11.3 million as compared to the prior year. This development did not, however, allow the company to make up for the shortfall in earnings from the first half of 2025. EBITDA pre exceptionals fell by a total of € 7.9 million to € 20.2 million in the first nine months of 2025. Profitability, as measured by the EBITDA margin pre exceptionals, fell from 10.7% in the previous year to 8.8%. Lower profitability was mainly due to the decline in sales and higher personnel costs as a result of collective bargaining agreements. Net profit decreased by € 10.1 million to € -2.4 million in the period from January to September. This corresponds to earnings per share of € - 0.38 (previous year: € 1.18).
At € - 12.6 million (previous year: € - 1.0 million), free cash flow declined in the first nine months of 2025 due to the lower net income and the increase in working capital. The equity ratio fell to 25.1% as of 30 September 2025 (31 December 2024: 27.3%).
R. STAHL confirms forecast for financial year 2025
Given the persistently challenging economic environment, R. STAHL also expects business activities to pick up only slightly at best in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Executive Board continues to expect Group sales of between € 320 million and € 330 million for full-year 2025. For EBITDA pre exceptionals, R. STAHL continues to forecast a figure of between € 25 million and € 30 million and expects a balanced free cash flow. A slight year-on-year decline in the equity ratio is expected for full-year 2025.
“Global economic and geopolitical uncertainties have significantly dampened our customers’ willingness to invest. In order to adequately counteract weakness in demand for R. STAHL products and services, we will continue to consistently implement the cost-cutting measures already initiated. We will also continue to work on reducing costs and increasing efficiency in all areas of the company. The Executive Board is confident that R. STAHL will overcome the current challenging situation and continue the profitable growth course of previous years as quickly as possible”, says Dr. Mathias Hallmann, CEO of R. STAHL.
Key figures of R. STAHL Group for Q3 and 9M 2025 pursuant to IFRS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| € million | | | Q3 2025 | | | Q3 2024 | | Change in % | | | 9M 2025 | | | 9M 2024 | | Change in % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sales | | | 78.6 | | | 87.4 | | -10.1 | | | 229.8 | | | 261.4 | | -12.1 | |
| Germany | | | 18.1 | | | 21.6 | | -15.9 | | | 53.6 | | | 62.1 | | -13.7 | |
| Central region1) | | | 37.9 | | | 39.3 | | -3.5 | | | 112.8 | | | 119.9 | | -5.9 | |
| Americas | | | 8.9 | | | 10.0 | | -11.4 | | | 26.7 | | | 31.9 | | -16.2 | |
| Asia/Pacific | | | 13.7 | | | 16.5 | | -17.3 | | | 36.6 | | | 47.5 | | -22.8 | |
| EBITDA pre exeptionals2) | | | 11.3 | | | 8.8 | | +28.8 | | | 20.2 | | | 28.1 | | -28.0 | |
| EBITDA margin pre exeptionals2) | | | 14.4% | | | 10.0% | | | | | 8.8% | | | 10.7% | | | |
| EBITDA | | | 8.9 | | | 8.7 | | +1.8 | | | 16.3 | | | 27.7 | | -41.0 | |
| EBIT | | | 4.0 | | | 4.1 | | -4.5 | | | 2.1 | | | 14.5 | | -85.2 | |
| Net profit | | | 2.6 | | | 1.8 | | +40.2 | | | -2.4 | | | 7.7 | | n/a | |
| Earnings per share (in €) | | | 0.39 | | | 0.28 | | +39.3 | | | -0.38 | | | 1.18 | | n/a | |
| Order income | | | 72.2 | | | 74.4 | | -2.8 | | | 238.1 | | | 255.2 | | -6.7 | |
| Order backlog as of 30 September | | | | | | | | | | | 105.8 | | | 107.9 | | -1.9 | |
| Cash flow from operating activities | | | 3.8 | | | 9.8 | | -61.0 | | | -2.1 | | | 8.9 | | n/a | |
| Free cash flow | |