Maersk Raises 2026 Profit Forecasts for the Third Time.. Its Stock Drops 11%
Maersk raised its 2026 profit forecasts driven by high shipping rates, but its stock fell 11% after third-quarter earnings missed expectations.
Translated by Qiyas from الوسط — Original source
Danish shipping group Maersk raised its 2026 profit forecast for the third time on Thursday, as container shipping rates continued to rise amid port congestion and growing demand linked to the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. However, the company’s shares fell 11 percent, as analysts viewed the forecast upgrade as expected, while third-quarter earnings missed estimates.
The increase in profit expectations was driven by higher shipping rates rather than an increase in cargo volume, meaning Maersk’s profits remain tied to ongoing congestion and disruptions in supply chains. Some analysts expect these factors to ease as ships resume transiting the Suez Canal and new vessels enter the market, according to Reuters.
The world’s second-largest container shipping company, which serves as an important indicator of global trade trends, now expects its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to range between $14 billion and $14.5 billion for the current year, up from its previous forecast range of $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion. The company also raised its forecast for adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to between $8 billion and $8.5 billion, compared to its prior estimate of $4.5 billion to $6.5 billion.
The new EBITDA forecast aligns closely with the average analyst estimate of $14.02 billion for the full year, according to a survey by London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).
Maersk reported third-quarter EBITDA of $4.7 billion, a 75 percent increase, but this fell short of the average analyst estimate of $5.04 billion, according to the LSEG survey.
