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The DHL Group’s operating profit and revenue in the first quarter of 2026 increased despite geopolitical disruptions and trade tensions
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Earnings before interest and taxes was up 8.3% to €5 billion, which the global logistics and courier company attributed to active capacity management, structural cost improvements and yield measures.
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Earnings growth and improved efficiency are also reflected in the EBIT margin, which improved by 0.7 percentage points year-on-year to 7%
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For this year, projected operating profit is above €2 billion and a free cash flow, excluding M&A, of around €3 billion
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Among the planned investments are warehouses in line with the growing data center market in North America, renewal of its fleet of Boeing 777 freighter aircraft, mail infrastructure, and e-vehicles
The DHL Group’s operating profit and revenue in the first quarter of 2026 increased despite geopolitical disruptions and trade tensions.
Operating profit or its earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) was up 8.3% to €1.5 billion, which the global logistics and courier company attributed to active capacity management, structural cost improvements and yield measures.
Earnings growth and improved efficiency are also reflected in the EBIT margin, which improved by 0.7 percentage points year-on-year to 7%.
The group’s organic revenue also increased by 2% in the first quarter, but reported revenue declined by 1.9% year-on-year to €20.4 billion primarily by currency effects.
“After the first three months, we are well on track to achieve our full-year targets. Our successful start to the year highlights the resilience of our business model and the impact of our efficiency measures,” DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer, said in a statement.
“Especially in times of geopolitical disruptions, the advantages of our strong global footprint and seasoned local leadership teams become clear. Despite blocked sea routes and closed airspace, we keep cargo moving and our customers’ supply chains running,” Meyer said.
Capital expenditure on acquired assets totaled €518 million, up 12.4% year-on-year. Most of the increase reflected investments in the Supply Chain and Post & Parcel Germany divisions.
Free cash flow, excluding mergers and acquisitions, rose 65% to €1.2 billion. Group net profit attributable to non-controlling interests was €812 million, an increase of 3.3% year-on-year.
Looking ahead with its Strategy 2030 framework, DHL Group said it continues to invest in operational efficiency and in regions and sectors with strong customer demand.
READ: Globalization holds up against geopolitics, tariff chaos—DHL report
It is expanding its capabilities in the growing data center market and will add more than ten warehouse sites in North America, with a total capacity of over 650,000 square meters by the end of 2026. The new facilities are designed to serve data center operators that require highly reliable and secure supply chains as they expand rapidly.
DHL Group is also renewing its fleet of Boeing 777 freighter aircraft. Following the fleet renewal program launched in 2019, DHL Group said it now operates the most fuel-efficient cargo aircraft fleet in the world.
In addition, the company is also continuously modernizing its parcel and mail infrastructure as well as its vehicle fleet. By the end of 2025, the share of electric vehicles used for pickup and delivery in Germany had reached nearly 60%. The expansion of the infrastructure serves to enhance quality and to integrate the growing parcel delivery business with the declining letter mail service.
READ: DHL, Gokongwei Group ink partnership on green logistics solutions
For this year, the company will continue to focus on efficiency improvements even as it expects geopolitical uncertainties to persist. In terms of financial performance, it still anticipates an operating profit above €6.2 billion and a free cash flow, excluding M&A, of around €3 billion.
