Scandic Hotels Group on Thursday released fourth-quarter 2025 financials that delivered mixed signals to investors: net sales were effectively in line with consensus, but adjusted EBITDA missed analyst forecasts as the company pursues further expansion across the Nordics.
Top-line and RevPAR
For the quarter, Scandic reported net sales of SEK5,575 million, a 1.6% increase year-over-year. That figure was essentially equal to the consensus outlook of SEK5,578 million and fell slightly short of UBSs SEK5,632 million estimate. Revenue per available room rose by 1.4% in the period, outpacing UBSs 0.8% expectation.
Profitability and margins
On a pre-IFRS16 adjusted EBITDA basis, the company recorded SEK513 million, roughly 8% below the consensus estimate of SEK559 million and well below UBSs projection of SEK622 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 9.2%, versus 10% in consensus models and 11% per UBS forecasts.
Composition of organic growth
Scandic reported organic growth of 4.2 percentage points for the quarter. Management attributed this to three factors: like-for-like growth of 1.7 percentage points; contribution from new hotels of 1.4 percentage points; and a 1.3 percentage point boost from temporarily closed hotels returning to operation. Exits trimmed growth by 0.1 percentage points.
Geographic performance
By market, net sales increased by 8.1% in Sweden, rose 2.8% in Norway and were up 2.4% in other European markets. Finland was the notable weak spot, with net sales down 9.3% in the fourth quarter.
Capital allocation and shareholder returns
The Board of Directors has proposed a dividend of SEK2.6 per share, to be distributed in two equal tranches of SEK1.3 in May and SEK1.3 in November.
Outlook and targets
Looking forward, Scandic said booking levels for 2026 are higher year-over-year, with both occupancy and average room rates improving. The company expects central costs to remain stable in absolute terms but to decline relative to revenues during 2026. Scandic reiterated its full-cycle targets: an organic growth rate of 5%, an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11%, a dividend payout ratio of 50%, and net debt to adjusted EBITDA below 1x.
Note: The companys reported figures and targets reflect managements current expectations and the fourth-quarter operating mix reported above.