(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 10 mar - Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli said that it now expects its 2026 sales to rise 4-6%, from a previous expectation of 6-8% due to geopolitical uncertainties.

The target for an improvement in the operating profit margin remains unchanged at 20-40 basis points.

For 2027 and the years thereafter, the group continues to reiterate its strategic medium- to long-term organic sales growth targets of 6-8% with an improvement in the operating profit margin of 20-40 basis points per year.

In 2025, Lindt's revenue grew organically by 12.4% to 5.92 billion francs, while in Swiss francs terms it rose 8.2%, mainly influenced by a negative 3.9% currency effect.

Organic growth was driven by group-wide price increases of 19.0%, partly offset by a lower than anticipated volume/mix decline of 6.6%.

EBIT increased by 9.8% year-on-year to 971.0 million francs, with an EBIT margin of 16.4% from 16.2%, mainly impacted by higher cocoa material costs that were offset through efficiency gains and cost discipline as well as price increases. This resulted in a net income of 726.7 million, 12.3% of sales, from 672.3 million francs of 12.3% of sales in 2024. Free cash flow came in at 446.3 million, with a cash flow margin of 7.5%, impacted by higher inventory valuations due to increased cocoa costs.

Lindt will propose a distribution of 1,800 francs per registered share, up from 1,500 francs in 2024, and 180 francs per participation certificate, up from 150 francs the.

earlier year.

(RADIOCOR) 10-03-26 09:05:28 (0201) 5 NNNN