Henkel achieves very strong organic sales growth in the third quarter and updates outlook for 2026

Henkel published its preliminary Q3 2026 results today. Group sales increased by 11.0 percent on a nominal basis versus the prior-year period, reaching 5,713 million euros. This corresponds to very strong organic sales growth of 6.5 percent. Growth was driven by positive pricing and volume development in both business units.

The Adhesive Technologies business unit achieved significant organic sales growth of 7.9 percent in the third quarter, with all business areas contributing to growth. The Consumer Brands business unit achieved very strong organic sales growth of 4.8 percent, driven by the Laundry & Home Care and Hair business areas.

In addition, based on the business performance in the third quarter and the assumptions for the remainder of the year, Henkel today updated its expectations for sales and earnings development for full-year 2026 as follows:

• Organic sales growth: 
  • Group: 3.0 to 4.0 percent ‏(previously: 1.5 to 3.5 percent)
  • Adhesive Technologies: 4.5 to 5.5 percent ‏(previously: 2.0 to 4.0 percent)
  • Consumer Brands: 1.5 to 2.5 percent ‏(previously: 0.5 to 2.5 percent)
• Adjusted^* return on sales: 
  • Group: around 15 percent ‏(previously: 14.5 to 16.0 percent)
  • Adhesive Technologies: around 16.5 percent ‏(previously: 16.5 to 18.0 percent)
  • Consumer Brands: around 15 percent ‏(previously: 14.0 to 15.5 percent)
• Adjusted^* earnings per preferred share ‏(EPS):
  Increase in the mid-single-digit percentage range at constant exchange rates (previously: increase in the low- to high-single-digit percentage range at constant exchange rates)

“Our strong business performance in the third quarter once again underscores the consistent execution of our strategy for purposeful growth. In a market environment that remains challenging, we delivered very strong organic sales growth. At the same time, we further strengthened our portfolio through strategically attractive acquisitions, creating additional growth opportunities across both business units. By updating our 2026 guidance, we reaffirm our clear commitment to sustainable, profitable growth,” said Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel.

Preliminary results for the third quarter of 2026

According to preliminary figures, Henkel generated Group sales of 5,713 million euros in the third quarter of 2026. This corresponds to a double-digit nominal increase of 11.0 percent compared to the prior-year quarter. Organic sales growth, i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange effects and acquisitions/divestments, amounted to 6.5 percent. This growth was driven by all regions and both business units. At Group level, price development was 5.4 percent, while volumes increased by 1.1 percent.

The Adhesive Technologies business unit generated sales of 3,027 million euros in the third quarter of 2026. This corresponds to a nominal increase of 11.8 percent compared to the prior-year quarter. Organic sales growth amounted to 7.9 percent. This increase was driven primarily by strong pricing of 7.2 percent, combined with positive volume growth of 0.7 percent.

The Consumer Brands business unit generated sales of 2,643 million euros in the third quarter of 2026, representing a nominal increase of 10.1 percent compared to the prior-year quarter. Organic sales growth amounted to 4.8 percent, driven by a clearly positive price development of 3.2 percent and good volume growth of 1.6 percent.

Further expectations for fiscal 2026

In addition, we now expect the following for fiscal 2026:

• Acquisitions/divestments: positive impact in the low single-digit percentage range
• Translation of sales in foreign currencies: negative impact in the low-single-digit percentage range
• Prices for direct materials: increase of around 10 percent compared to the prior-year average (previously: increase in the high-single-digit percentage range compared to the prior-year average¹)
• Restructuring expenses: 200 to 250 million euros (previously: 150 to 200 million euros)
• Cash outflows from investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets: 650 to 750 million euros

Henkel will report on further details of business development in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2026 on November 10 as planned.

* _{Adjusted for one-time expenses and income, and for restructuring expenses.}

1 _{Gross price development, i.e. before countermeasures}

This document contains statements referring to future business development, financial performance and other events or developments of future relevance for Henkel that may constitute forward-looking statements. Statements with respect to the future are characterized by the use of words such as expect, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate and similar terms. Such statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by the corporate management of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. These statements are not to be understood as in any way guaranteeing that those expectations will turn out to be accurate. Future performance and results actually achieved by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its affiliated companies depend on a number of risks and uncertainties and may therefore differ materially ‏(both positively and negatively) from forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are outside Henkel’s control and cannot be accurately estimated in advance, such as the future economic environment and the actions of competitors and others involved in the marketplace. Henkel neither plans nor undertakes to update forward-looking statements. 

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