HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) - Copper producer Aurubis is raising its profit guidance due to an improved outlook. For the 2025/26 fiscal year (ending September), operating earnings before taxes (EBT) are now expected to reach between 425 million and 525 million euros, up from the previous range of 375 million to 475 million euros, the MDax-listed group unexpectedly announced on Friday. Analysts had already been forecasting an average of nearly 500 million euros. On the stock market, some investors took profits following the recent rally in the shares.
The Hamburg-based company cited sustained high metal prices, improved revenue expectations from the processing of recycling materials, and higher projected sulfuric acid revenues in the second half of the year as the reasons for the upgraded targets.
In the first half of the year, operating EBT edged down from 229 million to 226 million euros based on preliminary figures. This was in line with market expectations. Under IFRS accounting standards, pre-tax profit nearly doubled to almost 1.07 billion euros. Further details on business performance will be available this Monday with the release of the half-year report.
'The positive aspects more than offset earnings-reducing factors, such as significantly lower treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) despite concentrate throughput exceeding the previous year's levels,' the company added. This was compounded by higher scheduled depreciation resulting from strategic projects. The group has invested heavily in initiatives such as the construction of a new plant in the USA.
After jumping above the 200-euro mark for the first time, Aurubis shares came under pressure, recently falling 3.6 percent to 185.80 euros. However, they remain up approximately 50 percent in 2026 alone. The company is benefiting from high global copper demand driven by electromobility, the expansion of renewable energies, and the power requirements of AI data centers emerging worldwide./men/mis/jha/
