DHL reports higher operating profit aided by cost and capacity management
First-Quarter Financial Performance and Strategic Measures
Quarterly Results Overview
April 30 (Reuters) - German logistics giant DHL reported a higher-than-expected first-quarter operating profit on Thursday, helped by capacity management, structural cost improvements and yield measures.
Operational Resilience Amid Global Disruptions
"Despite blocked sea routes and closed airspace, we keep cargo moving and our customers' supply chains running," CEO Tobias Meyer said in a statement.
Financial Highlights
The company reported quarterly earnings before interest and taxes of 1.48 billion euros ($1.73 billion), beating analysts' expectations of 1.38 billion in a company-provided consensus.
Operating Margin Growth
Quarterly operating margin rose to 7.3% from 6.6% in the same period last year.
Full-Year Outlook
"After the first three months, we are well on track to achieve our full‑year targets," Meyer said.
Strategic Initiatives and Market Context
The company had announced its largest cost-cutting programme in two decades in March 2025, in a move to shield its margins at a time when shipping and logistics companies face trade disruptions.
Analyst Expectations and Industry Trends
Analysts were expecting European logistics companies' first‑quarter earnings to benefit from higher freight rates and supply chain complexities stemming from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, with DHL seen as a key beneficiary due to the expected spillover effect from sea to air freight.
Currency Exchange Rate
($1 = 0.8573 euros)
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Amir Orusov in Gdansk and Matthias Inverardi in Duesseldorf, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
