Stock Markets March 18, 2026

Mersen flags rebound for 2026 after 2025 sales dip; guidance points to margin stability

French electrical materials group posts lower 2025 revenue and profit but returns to free cash flow and sets conservative targets for the year ahead

By Sofia Navarro
Mersen flags rebound for 2026 after 2025 sales dip; guidance points to margin stability

Mersen reported a 3.2% organic decline in sales for 2025, with revenue of €1,186 million and net income of €14 million after a €45 million asset impairment. The company reinstated a dividend of €0.90 per share, delivered a return on capital employed of 8.4%, returned to positive free cash flow a year earlier than planned, and issued guidance for 2026 showing organic sales growth of 2% to 6%, an EBITDA margin target of 16% plus or minus 50 basis points, and planned capital expenditures of €90 million to €100 million.

Key Points

  • Mersen recorded a 3.2% organic sales decline in 2025, with revenue of €1,186 million and net income of €14 million after a €45 million impairment.
  • The company returned to positive free cash flow in 2025 a year earlier than planned and declared a €0.90 per share dividend while reporting a return on capital employed of 8.4%.
  • For 2026, Mersen forecasts organic sales growth of 2% to 6%, targets a 16% EBITDA margin before non-recurring items (±50 basis points), and plans capital expenditure of €90 million to €100 million.

Mersen reported a contraction in organic sales for 2025, with revenue falling 3.2% to €1,186 million, the French electrical power and advanced materials specialist said on Wednesday. Net income for the year declined to €14 million, a figure that reflects a €45 million asset impairment recorded during the period.

The company declared a dividend of €0.90 per share and said its return on capital employed for 2025 stood at 8.4%. Management highlighted that the year was marked by weaker demand in specific end markets, most notably solar and silicon carbide semiconductors, which weighed on volumes and the overall product mix.

Those declines were partially offset by stronger activity in other areas of Mersen's business. The transportation, wind power, and electrical distribution segments delivered more resilient performance, helping to mitigate the sales shortfall from solar and silicon carbide markets.

Despite the top-line pressure and an unfavourable mix of products, Mersen said disciplined cost management and business adaptation measures reduced the impact on profitability. The company reported that price increases and productivity improvements more than offset inflationary pressures on raw materials and labour.

On the cash flow front, Mersen returned to positive free cash flow in 2025, achieving that milestone a year earlier than its original timetable. Looking ahead, the company provided financial guidance for 2026 that assumes an organic sales increase of between 2% and 6%.

For next year, Mersen expects an EBITDA margin before non-recurring items of 16%, with a tolerance of plus or minus 50 basis points. The group also plans capital expenditure in a range of €90 million to €100 million for 2026.

Overall, the results paint a view of a company navigating a mixed demand environment by leaning on cost control and pricing levers while calibrating investment and margin expectations for the year ahead.


Key financial figures (2025)

  • Organic sales decline: 3.2%
  • Revenue: €1,186 million
  • Net income: €14 million (includes €45 million impairment)
  • Dividend declared: €0.90 per share
  • Return on capital employed: 8.4%

2026 guidance

  • Organic sales growth forecast: 2% to 6%
  • EBITDA margin before non-recurring items: 16% ±50 basis points
  • Capital expenditure plan: €90 million to €100 million

Risks

  • Continued weakness in the solar and silicon carbide semiconductor markets could suppress revenues and volumes, affecting companies serving those sectors.
  • An unfavourable product mix and lower volumes remain a risk to margin recovery despite cost controls, particularly for businesses exposed to advanced materials and electrical components.
  • Asset impairments, like the €45 million charge in 2025, can materially reduce net income and indicate valuation risks for fixed assets in cyclical end markets.

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