Stock Markets March 19, 2026

United Internet Posts Modest Revenue Gain in 2025, Falls Short of Analyst Targets

Revenue inches up 1.9% to €6.10 billion as adjusted EPS benefits from lower taxes; company outlines higher EBITDA and planned capital spending for 2026

By Hana Yamamoto
United Internet Posts Modest Revenue Gain in 2025, Falls Short of Analyst Targets

German internet operator United Internet reported fiscal 2025 revenue of €6.10 billion, a 1.9% increase from the prior year but below analysts' expectations of €6.24 billion. Adjusted earnings per share rose, primarily because of lower tax charges. The company added 700,000 fee-based customer contracts and recorded EBITDA of €1.28 billion. United Internet forecast 2026 sales of €6.25 billion, EBITDA near €1.45 billion, and cash capital expenditure of €600-650 million.

Key Points

  • Fiscal 2025 revenue was €6.10 billion, up 1.9% year-over-year but below analyst expectations of €6.24 billion - impacts telecom and internet services sectors.
  • Adjusted EPS rose, driven mainly by lower tax expenses; reported EBITDA for 2025 was €1.28 billion - relevant to investor earnings assessments.
  • United Internet added 700,000 fee-based customer contracts, with growth from Consumer and Business Applications segments; the company forecasts 2026 sales of €6.25 billion, EBITDA of about €1.45 billion, and cash capex of €600-650 million - affecting network suppliers and capital markets.

United Internet reported fiscal 2025 revenue of €6.10 billion, a year-over-year increase of 1.9% but short of analyst expectations of €6.24 billion. The German internet specialist said its adjusted earnings per share rose in 2025, with most of the improvement traced to lower tax expenses.

The company added 700,000 fee-based customer contracts during the fiscal year. Management said the additions came from both its Consumer segment and its Business Applications operations. For the year, United Internet reported EBITDA of €1.28 billion.

United Internet noted that depreciation charges were higher in 2025, reflecting continued investments to expand its 1&1 mobile and fiber-optic networks. Those rising depreciation costs were presented as a direct consequence of ongoing network build-out activity.


Outlook for 2026

Looking ahead, the company provided guidance for fiscal 2026. United Internet expects sales to reach €6.25 billion and anticipates EBITDA to increase to approximately €1.45 billion. For the coming year, the firm projects cash capital expenditure in a range between €600 million and €650 million.

The guidance reiterates the company’s continued focus on network investment while signaling an expectation of higher underlying profitability through increased EBITDA.


Context and implications

While revenue expanded modestly, the reported top-line missed consensus forecasts. At the same time, adjusted EPS growth tied to lower tax expenses indicates a degree of earnings resilience despite the top-line shortfall. The addition of 700,000 fee-based contracts points to ongoing customer traction across United Internet’s core consumer and business-facing offerings.

The reported increase in depreciation underlines that the company’s current capital allocation is directed toward expanding mobile and fiber infrastructure, which also informs the elevated cash capex guidance for 2026.


This report presents the company’s published 2025 results and its 2026 outlook as disclosed by United Internet.

Risks

  • Revenue for 2025 fell short of analyst forecasts, which could weigh on investor sentiment in the telecom and internet sectors.
  • Higher depreciation charges reflect ongoing investment in mobile and fiber networks, indicating sustained capital intensity and elevated accounting charges that affect reported earnings.
  • 2026 guidance is forward-looking and contingent on execution of network expansion and customer growth assumptions, exposing results to typical operational and market execution risks.

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