(Reuters) -German logistics giant DHL reported a higher than expected third-quarter operating profit on Thursday, as structural cost improvements and price adjustments helped it cope with the volatile economic environment.
It reported quarterly earnings before interest and taxes of 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion), beating analysts’ forecast of 1.28 billion euros in a company-provided consensus.
DHL, which delivers packages worldwide and also runs German postal services through Deutsche Post, confirmed its forecasts for the 2025 financial year, but said the subdued macroeconomic environment would continue to weigh on the results.
The guidance does not account for further potential escalation in tariffs or trade policies, DHL said, adding the new import regulations for low-value shipments into the U.S., effective since August, had so far had only a limited impact on the group’s earnings.
Quarterly revenue dropped 2.3% to 20.1 billion euros, broadly in line with market expectations, dragged by currency exchange rates and lower volumes on routes to the United States.
European shipping and logistics firms are grappling with a challenging economic environment marked by falling freight rates, weaker demand and a series of trade disruptions, including a raft of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In response to these pressures, several companies have implemented cost-cutting measures, including job reductions, and revised their financial forecasts to reflect the tougher operating conditions.
($1 = 0.8575 euros)
(Reporting by Matthias Inverardi and Anastasiia Kozlova, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
