German lubricant maker Fuchs SE increased its profit forecast for 2026 after reporting stronger-than-expected preliminary results for the first half of the year, driven by higher sales and improved profitability.
The company expects first-half sales of more than €2 billion, up from €1.8 billion a year earlier, while earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) are expected to reach €260 million, compared with €209 million in the first half of 2025. Fuchs now expects full-year EBIT of €460 million-480 million, up from its previous forecast of about €450 million. It kept its sales outlook unchanged, expecting revenue to remain well above 2025’s €3.7 billion.
Fuchs said demand for its lubricants remained strong despite difficult market conditions. Second-quarter results were helped by solid sales, customers buying extra stock ahead of possible supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, shortages of some competing products and underlying business growth. The company cautioned that higher raw material costs and weaker demand later in the year could reduce profits.
Preliminary second-quarter EBIT was €135 million, up from €101 million a year earlier and above analysts’ expectations of €108 million. Fuchs said inflation should continue to lift revenue in the second half of 2026, but customers who bought extra product earlier in the year are likely to order less later on. Combined with rising raw material costs, this is expected to put pressure on profit margins. The company said its strong first-half performance should not be seen as a guide to the rest of the year. It will publish its full half-year results on July 31.
The company said the surge in customer orders during the second quarter, together with supply shortages at some competitors, created temporary sales opportunities. It expects those conditions to fade later this year, leading to lower sales volumes and tighter profit margins.