(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 22 apr - The Dutch paint and coating group Akzo Nobel said that in the first quarter of 2026 revenue amounted to 2.386 billion euros, down a reported 9% and down a comparable 1%.

Adverse foreign exchange rates knocked 5 percentage points off sales and the divestment of Indian assets a further 3 points.

Operating income was down a reported 8% to 177 million euros, but up a comparable 9%.

Adjusted EBITDA stood at 345 million euros, down a reported 3% and up a comparable 7%.

The adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 14.5% from 13.7%.

The company expects to deliver 100 million euros of adjusted EBITDA improvement in constant currencies this year. As a result, adjusted EBITDA for 2026 is expected to be at or above 1.47 billion euros, based on year-end 2025 exchange rates and adjusted for the India divestment.

For the mid-term, Akzo Nobel aims to expand profitability to deliver an adjusted EBITDA margin of above 16% and a return on investment between 16% and 19%.

The company expects leverage to be around 2 times net debt/adjusted EBITDA by the end of 2026. In the mid-term, AkzoNobel aims to maintain leverage around 2 times, while remaining committed to an investment grade credit rating.

Closing of the Axalta merger is expected in late 2026 or.

early 2027, it added.

(RADIOCOR) 22-04-26 09:13:18 (0195) 5 NNNN