In brief
Adidas now expects 2026 operating profit of €2.5 billion, up from about €2.3 billion, according to its statement issued on Tuesday evening, 20 October 2026.
Operating profit rose 37% to €1.008 billion from €736 million a year earlier, while revenue grew 9% to €7.25 billion.
About €200 million came from a refund of US import tariffs that a court had ruled unlawful, and a further €100 million came from smaller discounts.
- 20 OctAdidas announces the raised 2026 operating profit forecast on Tuesday evening, after the Frankfurt close
- 21 OctShares trade 2.31% higher at €161.75, according to market data stamped 11:55
- 29 OctAdidas is due to publish its full results for the first nine months
Forecast raised after a strong third quarter
Adidas now expects operating profit of €2.5 billion for 2026, up from the previous target of about €2.3 billion. The company announced the change on Tuesday evening, 20 October 2026, in an unscheduled release issued from Herzogenaurach, after the close of trading in Frankfurt. The release came ahead of the full earnings report, which Adidas plans to publish on 29 October. Adidas is the world's second-largest sportswear company, according to the reports. Third-quarter revenue rose 9% to €7.25 billion, or 7% after adjusting for currency effects. Operating profit climbed 37% to €1.008 billion, compared with €736 million a year earlier.
- Previous target (about)
- 2300 € million
- Raised forecast
- 2500 € million
Data from the article text
Chief executive Björn Gulden called the quarter a 'great quarter' in the company's statement. Gulden put the figures in plain terms:
“We achieved the highest revenue we have ever had in a quarter, 7.252 billion euros, and also the highest operating profit, 1.008 billion euros.”
- Q3 2025 (year earlier)
- 736 € million
- Q3 2026
- 1008 € million
Data from the article text
What drove the profit
Roughly €200 million came from a refund of US import tariffs, which a court had ruled unlawful. A further €100 million came from selling goods at smaller discounts than the company had planned, which more than offset unfavourable exchange-rate movements. The company will spend around €100 million more than planned in the fourth quarter, bringing forward outlays for items such as IT infrastructure and logistics that it expects to lift profits later. Outgoing finance chief Harm Ohlmeyer had said in August that a US refund was expected, but Adidas had left it out of the forecast at that point as a precaution. Adidas is keeping its target of 9% to 10% currency-adjusted sales growth for the year.
Demand for classics and regional sales
Its shoes and clothing are in demand despite a weak industry backdrop. RTE reports that demand for its retro apparel and a soccer World Cup boost helped the company this year as it races to roll out new styles. Its classic designs from the 1970s and 1980s, which it reissues in many variants, are central to that appeal. The company also runs a regionalisation strategy that has attracted new customers in China. Against its US rival Nike, Adidas has the advantage because Nike is currently selling goods with discounts, which Adidas is not doing.
Shares and the calendar
Adidas shares rose 2.31% to €161.75 by 11:55 on Wednesday, 21 October, after closing at €158.10 the previous trading day. Shares had traded sideways for some time before this move, according to the market report. The stock still sits 14.33% below its 52-week high of €188.80, and its 52-week low is €127.56. Freely traded shares carried a value of €27.68 billion at that point. Adidas holds a weight of 1.31% in the DAX, placing it 27th among index members, while SAP, Siemens and Allianz carry the most weight. The company will publish its full results for the first nine months on 29 October.