Henkel reports USD 5.4B in Q1 2026 sales amid challenging market environment
The results highlight steady organic growth, continued progress on its M&A‑led growth strategy, and the completion of a significant share‑buyback program.
GERMANY – Henkel has reported a solid start to its fiscal year 2026, underlining a robust first‑quarter performance driven by both of its core business units while maintaining its full‑year outlook.
Henkel’s group sales in the first quarter of 2026 amount to approximately 5.0 billion euros (USD 5.40 billion), representing an organic sales growth of 1.7 percent compared with the prior‑year quarter.
This growth comes despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, negative foreign‑exchange effects, and portfolio changes linked to prior‑year acquisitions and divestments, which trimmed nominal sales.
Both Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands delivered positive organic sales growth, underpinned by gains in both volume and price.
Adhesive Technologies recorded an organic sales increase of 1.7 percent, supported by solid demand across key industrial segments, including Mobility & Electronics.
Consumer Brands grew organic sales by 1.8 percent, with the Hair business area cited as a key growth driver, while the Laundry & Home Care portfolio showed mixed but overall positive trends.
Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel stated, “At the same time, we are consistently executing our strategic agenda and investing in the expansion of our businesses.”
“This also includes the recently announced acquisitions in both business units, which together represent almost 1.6 billion euros in additional sales.”
The quarter reflects Henkel’s continued execution of its M&A‑based growth strategy, with five transactions closed or underway that collectively represent around 1.6 billion euros in annual sales.
Three deals have already been successfully integrated into the portfolio: the acquisition of Wetherby Laroc, ATP Adhesive Systems, and Not Your Mother’s, broadening Henkel’s footprint in specialty adhesives and premium hair‑care.
Henkel successfully completed a share‑buyback program of about 1 billion euros by the end of March 2026, signaling confidence in its underlying cash‑flow generation and long‑term prospects.
The buyback follows a prior‑year track record of raising dividends and optimizing capital structure, reinforcing the company’s commitment to shareholder returns even as it invests in acquisitions and innovation.
Henkel has maintained its original guidance for the full 2026 business year, with an expected organic sales growth range of 1.0 to 3.0 percent across the group.
The company also expects an adjusted return on sales of 14.5 to 16.0 percent and an increase in adjusted earnings per preferred share in the low-to-high single‑digit percentage range at constant exchange rates.
Management attributes this outlook to continued pricing discipline, portfolio upgrading, and the incremental contribution from recently acquired businesses.
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