Sartorius Stedim Biotech SA (SDMHF) has announced a positive start to the fiscal year, reporting an increase in both profit and revenues for the first quarter. The company also reiterated its financial outlook for fiscal year 2026, signaling continued confidence in its strategic direction.
Q1 Financial Performance Highlights
In the first quarter, Sartorius Stedim Biotech saw its net profit after non-controlling interest grow by 3 percent, reaching 88.1 million euros, up from 85.6 million euros in the corresponding period last year. This translated to an improvement in earnings per share, which rose to 0.91 euro from 0.88 euro a year prior.
Underlying net profit also experienced a modest increase, climbing to 113.6 million euros from 113.1 million euros in the prior-year period. Correspondingly, underlying earnings per share saw a slight uptick to 1.17 euros, compared to 1.16 euros in the previous year.
The company’s underlying EBITDA demonstrated growth, rising by 1.9 percent to 233.4 million euros, an increase from 229 million euros reported in the first quarter of the previous year. According to the company’s statement, this growth was influenced by positive volume effects and economies of scale, which were partially counteracted by product mix effects and tariff impacts.
The underlying EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 30.7 percent, a marginal decrease from the 30.8 percent recorded in the prior year.
Revenue Growth Driven by Consumables
Sartorius Stedim Biotech generated sales revenue of 761.5 million euros in the first quarter, marking a 2.3 percent increase from the 744.6 million euros reported in the same period last year. When measured in constant currencies, the revenue growth was more substantial, reaching 7.9 percent.
The company attributed this revenue development primarily to the robust performance of its recurring business, particularly the sale of consumables essential for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This segment continues to be a key driver of the company’s top-line growth.
Confirmation of Fiscal 2026 Outlook
Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, Sartorius Stedim Biotech has confirmed its previously issued financial guidance. The company continues to anticipate sales revenue to increase by a range of approximately 6 to 10 percent in constant currencies. This forecast includes an estimated contribution of around 1 percentage point from US tariff surcharges.
The primary engine for this projected growth is expected to be the consumables business. In contrast, the equipment business segment is projected to remain at least stable over the same period.
Furthermore, the company reaffirmed its expectation for the underlying EBITDA margin to increase to slightly above 31 percent for fiscal year 2026. This anticipated improvement is forecast to be driven by ongoing volume and scale effects, building upon the 30.8 percent margin reported in the prior year.
Management Confidence
René Fáber, CEO of Sartorius Stedim Biotech, expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory. “We remain confident in the guidance outlined earlier this year,” Fáber stated. “The first quarter matched our expectations, and we continue to anticipate that the second half of the year will outperform the first six months in absolute numbers.” This sentiment suggests that the company expects accelerating performance in the latter half of the fiscal year.
