EQS-News: voestalpine AG: voestalpine holds its ground in a challenging economic environment and generates strong free cash flow in Q1 2025/26

EQS-News: voestalpine AG / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim
   Statement/Quarter Results
   voestalpine AG: voestalpine holds its ground in a challenging economic
   environment and generates strong free cash flow in Q1 2025/26

   06.08.2025 / 07:30 CET/CEST
   The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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   voestalpine holds its ground in a challenging economic environment and
   generates strong free cash flow in Q1 2025/26
   » Revenue down slightly to EUR 3.9 billion (Q1 2024/25: EUR 4.1 billion)
   » EBITDA at EUR 361 million in Q1 2025/26 (previous year: EUR 417 million)
   » Strong free cash flow of EUR 188 million and continued reduction in net
   financial debt
   » Gearing ratio at lowest level since the business year 2006/07 despite
   increased investment requirements
   » Ongoing implementation of reorganization projects
   » Number of employees (FTE) decreased by 3.5% to 49,600
   » Outlook for 2025/26 remains unchanged with expected EBITDA of EUR 1.4 to
   1.55 billion

   voestalpine generated a solid result in the first quarter of the 2025/26
   business year (April 1 to June 30, 2025). The steel and technology group’s
   robust strategy—its global positioning and sector diversification—as well
   as its strong financial position once again proved to be effective in an
   environment shaped by economic uncertainty, tariffs, and trade
   restrictions. Global demand in the Railway Systems business segment
   remained strong throughout the first quarter, while the aerospace segment
   also continued its positive market development during the reporting
   period. The consumer goods and mechanical engineering industries continued
   to stagnate at a low level. Demand for products from the energy sector
   declined significantly in the first quarter of the business year. The
   Steel Division, however, recorded exceptionally high demand for its
   products used in international pipeline projects. Call-offs from
   automotive manufacturers remained subdued in the first three months of the
   2025/26 business year. Particularly in Europe, and most notably in
   Germany, demand remained weak. While this directly affected the Automotive
   Components business segment, demand from the automotive industry for the
   products of voestalpine’s Steel Division remained stable at a good level.
   The Warehouse & Rack Solutions business segment continued its positive
   trend into the new 2025/26 business year.

   “voestalpine held its ground well in this difficult environment and
   continued to expand its international leadership in innovation and
   technology, particularly in rail infrastructure and storage systems. We
   were able to generate an exceptionally high free cash flow in the first
   quarter, thanks to our resilient business model and a strong focus on
   working capital measures also made a decisive contribution to the positive
   cash flow development,” says Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO of voestalpine AG.

   Good result, strong free cash flow, solid statement of financial position

   Revenue declined by 5.9% year-on-year to EUR 3.9 billion (Q1 2024/25: EUR
   4.1 billion). The operating result (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 361 million
   (Q1 2024/25: EUR 417 million), while EBIT fell by 24.7% year-on-year to
   EUR 172 million. Consolidated earnings before taxes amounted to EUR 139
   million, while profit after taxes amounted to EUR 106 million.

   Cash flows from operating activities doubled compared to the previous year
   and amounted to EUR 444 million. Free cash flow—supported in particular by
   successful working capital projects—totaled EUR 188 million, despite lower
   earnings.

   Debt reduction continued in the first quarter: Net financial debt amounted
   to EUR 1.5 billion as of June 30, 2025 (June 30, 2024: EUR 1.75 billion;
   March 31, 2025: EUR 1.7 billion). Equity amounted to EUR 7.5 billion as of
   June 30, 2025. As a result, the gearing ratio (net financial debt to
   equity) improved year-on-year from 23.2% to 19.4% as of June 30, 2025, the
   lowest level since the business year 2006/07, even with higher investment
   needs due to the phased transformation to green steel production (greentec
   steel).

   On June 30, 2025, the number of employees in the voestalpine Group
   worldwide amounted to around 49,600 (full-time equivalents), which is 3.5%
   lower than in the previous year (51,400). The decrease is mainly due to
   the sale of the Buderus Edelstahl business operations and the
   reorganization of the Automotive Components business unit.

   Outlook for the 2025/26 business year

   In the first quarter of the financial year 2025/26, the economic
   environment was shaped by two key developments: On the one hand, Germany’s
   announced infrastructure program and intensified investments in the
   European security architecture provided positive momentum. On the other
   hand, upheavals in the established global trade order created growing
   uncertainty. By the end of July 2025, the United States and the European
   Union had reached a fundamental trade agreement, though details in
   specific sectors – such as steel – remain unresolved. The European
   Commission is addressing current key issues with its Steel and Metals
   Action Plan to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry,
   including an effective carbon border adjustment mechanism and a successor
   system to the safeguard regulation to limit steel imports from third
   countries. The EU’s specific positioning toward its global trade partners
   has not yet been defined and may influence Europe’s future economic
   momentum.

   Despite these prevailing uncertainties, the voestalpine Group anticipates
   continued stability in its key market trends: The automotive industry is
   projected to remain stable, as are mechanical engineering, construction,
   and consumer goods – albeit at a low level. Railway systems, aerospace,
   and warehouse technology are expected to maintain robust demand throughout
   the financial year 2025/26. The reorganization of Automotive Components
   (Metal Forming Division) and the repositioning of the High Performance
   Metals Division will continue to be implemented during the current
   financial year. The earnings outlook for the year, published with the
   2024/25 annual report, takes into account the uncertainties outlined above
   and reflects a wide range of possible economic scenarios. Against this
   backdrop, voestalpine AG’s Management Board reaffirms the June 2025
   guidance, projecting EBITDA of EUR 1.40 – 1.55 billion for financial year
   2025/26.

   The voestalpine Group
   voestalpine is a globally leading steel and technology group with a unique
   combination of materials and processing expertise. voestalpine, which
   operates globally, has around 500 Group companies and locations in more
   than 50 countries on all five continents. The voestalpine Group has been
   listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1995. With its premium products
   and system solutions, voestalpine is a leading partner to the automotive
   and machinery industries, as well as to the aerospace and energy
   industries. The company is also the global market leader in railway
   systems and special sections. voestalpine is committed to the global
   climate goals and has a clear plan for transforming steel production with
   its greentec steel program. In the business year 2024/25, the Group
   generated revenue of EUR 15.7 billion, with an operating result (EBITDA)
   of EUR 1.3 billion; it has around 49,700 employees worldwide.

   Please direct your inquiries to
   voestalpine AG
   Mag. Peter Felsbach, MAS
   Head of Group Communications I Spokesman
   voestalpine-Strasse 1
   4020 Linz, Austria
   T. +43/50304/15-2090
   peter.felsbach@voestalpine.com
   www.voestalpine.com

   Peter Fleischer
   Head of Investor Relations
   voestalpine-Strasse 1
   4020 Linz, Austria
   T. +43/50304/15-9949
   peter.fleischer@voestalpine.com

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   06.08.2025 CET/CEST This Corporate News was distributed by EQS Group.
   www.eqs.com

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   Language:    English
   Company:     voestalpine AG
                voestalpine-Straße 1
                4020 Linz
                Austria
   Phone:       +43 50304/15-9949
   Fax:         +43 50304/55-5581
   E-mail:      IR@voestalpine.com
   Internet:    www.voestalpine.com
   ISIN:        AT0000937503
   WKN:         897200
   Listed:      Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Market)
   EQS News ID: 2179848


    
   End of News EQS News Service


   2179848  06.08.2025 CET/CEST

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