Finance
Swedish Telecom Operator Telia Beats First-Quarter Core Profit Estimates
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 24, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 24, 2026
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Quick Summary
Telia reported a solid Q1 2026 with adjusted EBITDA rising ~4% to SEK 7.94 bn, topping expectations (median SEK 7.84 bn). Service revenue grew ~2.1% like‑for‑like, aided by strength in Sweden and Baltics, while shares climbed ~3–4% on the news.
Telia Surpasses Q1 Profit Estimates Driven by Service Revenue Growth
Telia's Q1 2024 Financial Performance Overview
Core Earnings Exceed Expectations
April 24 (Reuters) - Swedish telecom operator Telia reported first-quarter core earnings above market expectations on Friday, driven by service revenue growth across most markets and lower operational expenses.
Adjusted Operating Profit Details
• Telia's first-quarter adjusted operating profit before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased 4.0%, on a like-for-like basis, to 7.94 billion Swedish crowns ($856.78 million).
• Analysts had expected an average profit of 7.84 billion crowns in a company-compiled poll.
Key Drivers of Growth
Strong Demand and Technological Advancements
• "Demand for Telia's services is strong across our markets, with transformational technologies, such as AI, dependent on secure, reliable, and high-quality connectivity," CEO Patrik Hofbauer said in a statement.
Service Revenue and Market Performance
• Quarterly service revenue increased 2.1%, like-for-like, driven by continued strong development in Sweden and Lithuania.
Stock Market Reaction
• Telia shares are up about 3% in early Stockholm trading.
Additional Information
Currency Exchange Rate
($1 = 9.2673 Swedish crowns)
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Elviira Luoma, editing by Rashmi Aich and Jonathan Ananda)
Key Takeaways
- •Adjusted EBITDA of SEK 7.94 bn beat consensus estimates (~SEK 7.84 bn) driven by revenue growth and lower costs (investing.com)
- •Service revenue grew ~2.1% like‑for‑like, led by strong performance in Sweden and Lithuania (investing.com)
- •Operational efficiencies—including a 5% headcount reduction—helped reduce operating expenses by ~2%, while stock responded positively, rising ~3–4% (investing.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Swedish telecom operator Telia beats first-quarter core profit estimates
1What were Telia's first-quarter core earnings?
Telia reported first-quarter adjusted EBITDA of 7.94 billion Swedish crowns, a 4.0% increase on a like-for-like basis.
2How did Telia's Q1 profit compare to analyst expectations?
Telia's Q1 profit exceeded analyst expectations, with actual profits at 7.94 billion crowns versus the expected 7.84 billion crowns.
3What factors drove Telia's first-quarter earnings growth?
Service revenue growth in most markets and lower operational expenses contributed to Telia's strong first-quarter performance.
4Which markets showed strong development for Telia in Q1?
Continued strong performance was noted especially in Sweden and Lithuania.
5How did Telia's stock respond to the Q1 earnings report?
Telia shares rose about 3% in early Stockholm trading following the Q1 results.
