Austrian lighting group Zumtobel reported a 25% increase in adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to €8.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026/27, even as revenue edged 0.9% lower to €264.1 million.
The adjusted EBIT margin expanded to 3.1% from 2.5% a year earlier, supported by a 70-basis-point rise in adjusted gross profit margin to 37.4%. Net profit swung to €4.2 million, compared with a €4.0 million loss in the prior-year period. Earnings per share improved to €0.11 from a loss of €0.09.
The lighting segment, which accounts for roughly 80% of group revenue, generated €211.1 million in sales, essentially flat year-over-year with a nominal increase of 0.2%. Adjusted EBIT for the segment rose to €12.5 million from €11.4 million, lifting the margin to 5.9% from 5.4%. The components segment reported a 4.8% decline in revenue to €67.5 million, with adjusted EBIT of €1.4 million and a margin of 2.1%.
Regional performance showed mixed trends. The D/A/CH region, representing the group’s largest market, declined 5.0% to €101.9 million, while Southern and Eastern Europe contracted 4.4% to €67.1 million. Northern and Western Europe grew 2.5% to €62.8 million, and Asia & Pacific surged 14.6% to €19.4 million. The Americas & MEA region rose 19.8% to €12.9 million.
Balance sheet metrics reflected higher net debt of €148.1 million as of July 31, 2026, up from €128.5 million at fiscal year-end. The equity ratio remained stable at 43.0%, well above the 23.5% covenant requirement. Operating cash flow turned negative at €4.2 million, driven by a €13.6 million increase in working capital, while free cash flow was -€16.4 million, compared with -€10.6 million a year earlier.
Management reaffirmed full-year guidance for fiscal 2026/27, projecting revenue to remain around the prior year’s €1,040.4 million and adjusted EBIT margin to range between 3% and 5%. The group also highlighted secured data center projects in the Nordic region, with initial revenue expected between mid-2027 and year-end 2027.
Zumtobel’s shares rose 3.67% to $4.24 following the results, trading within a 52-week range of $3.215 to $4.48.
