Cigna earnings beat by $0.04, revenue topped estimates
Investing.com -- Voestalpine AG (VIE:VOES) shares rose more than 3% on Wednesday after the company reported fourth-quarter EBITDA of €378 million, beating the FactSet consensus of €351 million.
The result brought full-year EBITDA for fiscal 2025 to €1.3 billion, matching the company’s revised guidance.
The full-year figure includes a €200 million negative impact from one-off effects. Initial guidance for the year had projected EBITDA of €1.7 billion, which was later lowered to €1.4 billion.
Free cash flow for fiscal 2025 totaled €309 million, more than double Jefferies’ estimate of €155 million.
The figure was supported by a €322 million working capital release. Capital expenditures reached €1.2 billion, in line with expectations.
Voestalpine AG cited continued weakness in European markets and softening demand from the automotive sector, which accounts for 30% of sales.
The company said automotive activity declined further in the second half of the fiscal year. Looking ahead to the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Voestalpine AG expects strength in railway infrastructure, aerospace, and warehouse sectors, which together make up 25% of sales.
No recovery is expected in automotive, construction, mechanical engineering, or consumer goods.
For fiscal 2026, Voestalpine forecast EBITDA between €1.4 billion and €1.55 billion. The range aligns with the €1.5 billion analyst consensus.
The outlook includes a negative mid-double-digit million-euro impact from U.S. steel tariffs, which the company expects to partially offset through internal restructuring.
By region, Voestalpine reported slowing growth in North America and slight growth in the European Union. The company maintained its 5% annual growth target for China.
In the fourth quarter, the Steel Division posted EBITDA of €219 million, ahead of Jefferies’ €180 million estimate.
The division benefited from positive pricing, demand from the energy sector, particularly for high-tech plates, and a modest late-year recovery in automotive. Construction and consumer goods remained weak.
The High Performance Metals Division reported EBITDA of €25 million, falling short of Jefferies’ €60 million estimate.
Voestalpine cited lower demand for tool steel and rising imports. Aerospace materials showed positive momentum.
The Metal Engineering Division recorded EBITDA of €113 million, just below Jefferies’ €120 million forecast.
Railway systems performed well, and welding remained stable, with strong demand from Asia partly offsetting weakness in Europe.
The Metal Forming Division posted EBITDA of €51 million, exceeding Jefferies’ estimate of €39 million.
The automotive components segment was subdued, but stable performance in tubes and sections and growth in warehouse and rack solutions supported results.
Voestalpine said it will continue to monitor macroeconomic conditions and trade policy developments as it executes its strategy for fiscal 2026.