April 30 - German logistics giant DHL posted first-quarter operating profit that exceeded market expectations, driven by active capacity management, structural cost reductions and yield measures, the company said.
Management reported earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 1.48 billion euros for the quarter, ahead of a company-provided analyst consensus of 1.38 billion euros. The company’s quarterly operating margin rose to 7.3% from 6.6% in the same period a year earlier.
CEO Tobias Meyer highlighted the operational response to trade disruptions, saying, "Despite blocked sea routes and closed airspace, we keep cargo moving and our customers supply chains running." Meyer added that after the first three months the business is "well on track to achieve our full-year targets."
The company said the results reflected a mix of measures: active capacity management, structural improvements to cost, and yield actions taken during the quarter. In March 2025 the firm unveiled its largest cost-cutting programme in two decades, a move the company framed as protecting margins while shipping and logistics firms face ongoing trade disruptions.
Analysts had expected first-quarter earnings across European logistics companies to be supported by higher freight rates and by supply chain complexities linked to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, with DHL positioned as a potential beneficiary of any spillover from sea to air freight.
Currency conversion disclosed with the results shows $1 = 0.8573 euros.
Investor note included with the company release
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