PostNL Guides 2026 Earnings Flat After Topping Prior-Year Estimates

2026 Outlook and Earnings Context

Feb 23 (Reuters) - Dutch postal operator PostNL on Monday forecast 2026 operating earnings broadly in line with last year's consensus-beating number, which was supported by cost savings and business model adjustments.

Normalised EBIT Guidance (€40–70 million)

The company said it expected a normalised operating profit, or earnings before interest and taxes, of 40 million to 70 million euros ($47 million to $83 million) in 2026, which it said could translate into free cash outflow of up to 30 million euros, or breakeven at best.

Prior-Year EBIT vs Analyst Estimates

Last year, its underlying EBIT was stable at 53 million euros ($63 million), while analysts polled by the company had expected 49 million euros on average.

Revenue, EBIT and Free Cash Flow Goals

2028 Financial Ambitions

PostNL reiterated its 2028 targets, including revenue exceeding 4 billion euros, underlying EBIT of more than 175 million euros and free cash flow of more than 75 million euros.

Dividend Proposal and Payout

It proposed an annual dividend of 4 euro cents per share. It had not declared an interim dividend in its half-year publication, citing uncertainty linked to the funding and outlook of its universal service obligation.

Regulatory and USO Backdrop

PostNL last year lost a fight with the Dutch government over the cost of its nationwide letter delivery obligation amid declining mail volumes. Its request for temporary support for 2025 and 2026 was rejected, a decision that was upheld by a Dutch appeals court in September.

Exchange Rate Reference

($1 = 0.8461 euros)

(Reporting by Olivier Cherfan in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi)