Swiss construction firm Implenia AG reported a substantial expansion in its order book and a material recovery in free cash flow for fiscal year 2025, even as full-year revenues missed market estimates.
The company said its order book reached CHF8,467m at the end of the fiscal year, a 25% increase from CHF6,788m in fiscal 2024. Free cash flow turned positive at CHF125m, an improvement from negative CHF53.6m in fiscal 2024 and outperforming UBS estimates by 49%.
Full-year revenues were reported at CHF3,474m. That figure is 8% below the UBS forecast of CHF3,645m and 4% lower than consensus expectations of CHF3,618m. Operating EBIT came in at CHF140.5m, narrowly above the company guidance of CHF140m and in line with both UBS and consensus estimates.
Implenia increased its dividend to CHF1.4 per share for the year, up from CHF0.9 in fiscal 2024, and above the UBS projection of CHF1.2. The firm also reported an improved equity ratio of 23.5%, compared with 21.2% for fiscal 2024 and 20.1% at the mid-year point of 2025.
Performance by business area varied. The Buildings division saw revenues decline 8.7% year-over-year, though it improved its EBIT margin by 40 basis points to 4.6%. Civil Engineering lifted margins by 30 basis points to 2.9%. Service Solutions delivered CHF21m of EBIT, up 14.9%, with margins rising 120 basis points to 8.4%.
Implenia reported that pre-calculated margins on its order book increased by 50 basis points to 7.8%, which the company said supports expectations for continued improvement in overall EBIT margins.
Looking to fiscal 2026, the company has set a target for operating EBIT of CHF150m. However, when accounting for planned growth investments, reported EBIT is guided in a band of CHF130-140m. That range compares with UBS estimates of CHF145m and a consensus view of CHF144m, which the company noted implies about a 6% downside relative to current consensus.
Implenia reiterated its mid-term objectives of reaching an equity ratio of 25% and achieving EBIT margins above 4.5%.
Context and implications
The results show a mix of operational momentum in backlog and cash generation, alongside near-term revenue pressure and the earnings impact of investment plans. The company’s balance-sheet metrics improved, and shareholders will see a higher dividend, while reported EBIT guidance for 2026 reflects the trade-off between short-term reported earnings and growth investments.