OC Oerlikon Corporation AG reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results that beat several analyst expectations, with the company also revealing a higher-than-expected gain tied to the divestment of Barmag.
For Q4, Oerlikon recorded orders of CHF433 million and sales of CHF401 million. Those figures represented beats of roughly 12% on orders and 2% on sales versus consensus estimates. Fourth-quarter orders rose 16.8% organically year-over-year, outpacing consensus projections of 5% growth, producing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.08x. Revenue grew 2% organically year-over-year, compared with market expectations for flat top-line performance.
On a full-year basis for 2025, the company reported orders of CHF1,655 million, sales of CHF1,568 million, and operational EBITDA of CHF271 million. Relative to consensus, full-year orders came in about 3% above expectations, sales were in line, and operational EBITDA showed a roughly 1% beat. Organic full-year order growth was 7% year-over-year while organic revenue declined 0.3% year-over-year.
Oerlikon said revenue in 2025 was supported by activity in aviation and energy sectors, with gas turbines cited as a particular lift. Those pockets of demand helped offset weaker performance across automotive, general industries and luxury segments. The company noted that the broader economic environment was weak, especially within Europe.
Adjusting out Barmag-related contributions, the company reported a full-year 2025 operational EBITDA of CHF271 million, a decline of 11% year-over-year on that adjusted basis but still slightly ahead of the consensus forecast of CHF269 million. The operational EBITDA margin reached 17.3%, marginally above the consensus estimate of 17.2%. Management said margin pressure stemmed from negative mix effects, including a lower share of the services business, as well as foreign exchange headwinds.
Reported EBITDA for the year was CHF232 million, below estimates of CHF237 million, reflecting larger one-off charges. Net profit for full-year 2025 was a loss of CHF-14 million, a result the company attributed in part to one-off charges related to automotive combustion-engine activities and in the luxury segments.
On the corporate actions front, Oerlikon confirmed that the sale of Barmag will produce a book gain of CHF287 million in 2026, higher than a prior estimate of CHF210 million. The company said divestment proceeds will be about CHF850 million, before costs, and that those proceeds will be used to repay debt, for general corporate purposes and for distribution to shareholders.
Reflecting the Barmag proceeds, the Board has proposed a dividend of CHF0.85 per share, composed of a CHF0.20 regular dividend and a one-time dividend of CHF0.65. The total cash payout tied to that recommendation is CHF288 million, which the company says covers the entirety of the Barmag gain. The proposed distribution implies a dividend yield of 22%.
Looking ahead to full-year 2026, Oerlikon expects organic sales at constant foreign exchange to rise by a low single-digit percentage, consistent with consensus estimates of 3% to 4% organic growth. The company anticipates an operational EBITDA margin of approximately 17.5% for 2026, an increase of 20 basis points year-over-year, citing support from innovation, pricing and efficiency actions. Consensus estimates sit at 17.6%.
Context and takeaway
Oerlikon's fourth-quarter performance showed a stronger-than-expected recovery in order intake, led by sectors such as aviation and energy, which helped offset weaker end-market demand. The upgraded Barmag sale gain underpins a significant one-off shareholder distribution while management targets a modest margin improvement for 2026 amid ongoing headwinds from mix and currency.