Swiss building materials group Holcim raised its 2026 target for organic recurring EBIT growth to 10%-12% on Oct. 23 after a strong third quarter, as lower-carbon products gained share.
Recurring EBIT reached CHF 976 million, up from CHF 836 million a year earlier. The increase was 16.8% in Swiss francs, while organic growth was 12.2%. Holcim’s consensus document put the average of 13 estimates at CHF 949 million; those estimates were last updated Oct. 8. Net sales rose 15.5% in Swiss francs to CHF 4.662 billion and grew 5.1% organically.
For 2026, Holcim now expects about 5% organic net sales growth, a further increase in recurring EBIT margin and free cash flow of around CHF 2 billion. In the first nine months, net sales grew 5.2% organically and recurring EBIT rose 11.8% on the same basis. The recurring EBIT margin was 19.2%, compared with 19.1% a year earlier.
Holcim had lifted its 2026 organic recurring EBIT growth goal to about 10% in July, from a previous range of 8%-10%. The company’s Oct. 23 move extends that increase. EconoTimes previously covered the October guidance change in its report on European market trading.
In the first nine months, ECOPact low-carbon concrete made up 33% of ready-mix net sales, compared with 32% a year earlier. ECOPlanet low-carbon cement accounted for 43% of cement net sales, up from 36%. Holcim said the comparisons exclude the effects of acquisitions and divestments.
Holcim said expanded alternative-fuel use is helping its Latin American operations manage exposure to energy-price swings. CEO Miljan Gutovic told analysts the alternative-fuel substitution rate was 70% in Europe, with a 90% goal by 2030. Executives also said planned 2027 price increases are intended to offset expected cost pressures, including mid-to-high single-digit energy inflation.
Holcim’s Q3 analyst presentation lists its full-year 2026 results for Feb. 25, 2027, followed by a first-quarter trading update on Apr. 23, 2027.
