Wienerberger posts strong Q2 sales but lower H1 profit

Wienerberger AG reported a mixed first-half performance on Tuesday, with strong second-quarter sales offset by lower overall profitability.

The Austrian building materials company, a major supplier of bricks, roof tiles and piping systems, said second-quarter revenue rose 8% year-on-year to €1.2 billion, driven by robust demand in Central and Eastern Europe and North America. However, group net profit for the first six months of 2026 declined 5% to €152 million, compared with €160 million in the same period a year earlier.

Chief Executive Heimo Scheuch attributed the profit decline to higher raw material and energy costs, which eroded margins despite the sales increase. "Input costs remain elevated, particularly for clay, aggregates and logistics," Scheuch said in a statement. "We are implementing selective price adjustments to mitigate the impact, but margin pressure persists."

Operating cash flow fell 7% to €210 million, while the company maintained its full-year guidance range for revenue growth of 6% to 8% and net profit between €300 million and €330 million. Scheuch emphasized that order books remain healthy, with a backlog of €2.1 billion at the end of June, up 12% from the prior year.

Analysts noted that while Wienerberger’s top-line growth is encouraging, the margin squeeze reflects broader industry challenges tied to inflation and supply chain constraints. "The company is navigating a tough cost environment, but its geographic diversification and strong order pipeline provide some resilience," said one Vienna-based analyst.

Shares in Wienerberger were down 1.8% in early trading in Vienna, underperforming the broader Austrian market index.