Why did Kuehne+Nagel's operating profit drop in 2023?

Kuehne+Nagel's operating profit dropped 17% in 2023 due to worsening industry conditions and a challenging global macroeconomic environment.

What was Kuehne+Nagel's recurring EBIT in 2023?

The company reported recurring earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 1.38 billion Swiss francs ($1.77 billion) for 2023.

What cost reduction measures is Kuehne+Nagel implementing?

Kuehne+Nagel aims to save over 200 million francs through its cost savings programme.

How is artificial intelligence expected to impact Kuehne+Nagel's profitability?

The company expects productivity gains from accelerated development of artificial intelligence solutions to benefit future profits.

Editorial & Advertiser disclosure

Global Banking & Finance Review® is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.

Finance

Freight forwarder Kuehne+Nagel's operating profit sinks amid worsening conditions

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on March 3, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: March 3, 2026

Freight forwarder Kuehne+Nagel's operating profit sinks amid worsening conditions - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Financial Performance and Impact of Middle East Conflict

2025 Profit Results and 2026 Outlook

March 3 (Reuters) - Swiss logistics group Kuehne und Nagel on Tuesday reported a 17% drop in its 2025 recurring operating profit and forecast likely flat or lower earnings for this year amid an escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The freight forwarder, which operates in more than 100 countries, said it expected its recurring earnings before interest and taxes to land between 1.2 billion and 1.4 billion Swiss francs ($1.5 billion and $1.8 billion) in 2026, the top end of which is broadly level with last year's result.

Market Reaction

The company's shares were seen falling 2% in Julius Baer pre-market indications.

Operational Disruptions and Rerouting

Shipping Suspensions and Rerouting

On Sunday, European shipping majors Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd suspended transit through the Strait of Hormuz and began once again rerouting vessels around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

Customer Impact and Company Response

Kuehne+Nagel's customers should expect cargo delays and potential equipment shortages as it reroutes around the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb and the closed Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, the company said on Monday.

Company Statement

"Kuehne+Nagel is closely monitoring the situation and assessing potential implications for our operations," it said in a statement published on its website. "All teams are currently safe, fully contactable, and operational."

Cost Savings Programme

In 2025, the company's recurring operating earnings, which do not take expenses from its cost savings programme into account, fell to 1.38 billion francs. The savings plan – implemented in Q4 – targets a cost reduction of more than 200 million francs.

Currency Exchange Rate

($1 = 0.7813 Swiss francs)

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Danny Callaghan, Marleen Kaesebier and Anastasiia Kozlova in Gdansk; editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)