Legrand: 2026 First-quarter Results
Legrand: 2026 First-quarter Results
Legrand delivers strong +18% sales growth (excl. currency effects)
and excellent profitability in the first quarter of 2026
Organic sales growth: +9.3%, and growth through acquisitions: +8.2%
Adjusted operating margin after acquisitions: 20.7%
Net profit attributable to the Group: +14.2%
4 acquisitions in datacenters and energy transition
since the beginning of the year
2026 full-year targets confirmed
LIMOGES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:
Benoît Coquart, Legrand’s (Paris:LR) Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“Our first-quarter 2026 sales delivered strong growth of +18% excluding currency effects, driven by datacenters and acquisitions. Our financial results remain very solid, demonstrating our ability to combine growth with financial and operational discipline.
We continue to execute our strategic plan methodically. In the first quarter, we completed four acquisitions in datacenters and energy transition, while continuing to roll out our product innovation and customer service initiatives. The great success of our second international employee share ownership plan demonstrates the full commitment of the Group’s teams to Legrand’s strategic roadmap.
Confident in our execution capabilities and our ability to adapt in an increasingly uncertain economic environment, we confirm our 2026 targets.
Finally, we are pleased to announce that our next Investor Day will be held in Singapore on September 29, 2026.”
2026 full-year targets confirmed1
In 2026, the Group will continue to accelerate its profitable and responsible growth, in line with its strategic roadmap2. Taking into account the current global macroeconomic environment, Legrand is targeting the following in 2026:
- sales growth (excluding currency effects) of between +10% and +15%, comprising organic growth of between +4% and +7%, and growth through acquisitions of between +6% and +8%;
- adjusted operating margin (after acquisitions) of 20.5% to 21.0% of sales;
- a CSR achievement rate of at least 100% for the second year of its 2025-2027 roadmap3.
Financial performance at March 31, 2026
Key figures
Consolidated data (€ millions)(1) |
1st quarter 2025 |
1st quarter 2026 |
Change |
Sales |
2,277.8 |
2,537.6 |
+11.4% |
Adjusted operating profit |
470.4 |
524.7 |
+11.5% |
As % of sales |
20.7% |
20.7% |
|
|
|
20.5% before acquisitions(2) |
|
Operating profit |
434.2 |
485.2 |
+11.7% |
As % of sales |
19.1% |
19.1% |
|
Net profit attributable to the Group |
293.3 |
334.9 |
+14.2% |
As % of sales |
12.9% |
13.2% |
|
Free cash flow |
188.1 |
221.0 |
+17.5% |
As % of sales |
8.3% |
8.7% |
|
Net financial debt at March 31 |
3,031.6 |
4,670.5 |
+54.1% |
(1) See appendices to this press release for definitions and indicator reconciliation tables
(2) At 2025 scope of consolidation
Consolidated sales
In the first quarter of 2026, sales grew +11.4% from the same period of 2025, to reach €2,537.6 million. Organic sales growth was +9.3% for the period, with no significant impact from the geopolitical environment in the Middle East.
The impact of broader scope of consolidation was +8.2% in the first quarter of 2026. Based on acquisitions announced and their likely dates of consolidation, their overall impact would be close to +7% full year.
The exchange-rate effect on sales in the first quarter of 2026 was -5.8%. Based on average exchange rates in April 2026, the full-year effect would be around -2% in 2026.
Changes in sales by destination at constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates by region:
|
1st quarter 2026 / 1st quarter 2025 |
Europe |
-2.8% |
North and Central America |
+25.8% |
Rest of the world |
-1.8% |
Total |
+9.3% |
These changes are analyzed below by geographical region:
- Europe (36.3% of Group revenue): In a still contrasted building market, sales at constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates were down -2.8% in the first quarter. Growths notably in Germany and Italy were not sufficient to offset the declines in France, Spain or the United Kingdom.
- North and Central America (46.1% of Group revenue): Sales increased by +25.8% from the first quarter of 2025 at constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates.
In the United States alone (43.4% of Group revenue), sales rose a sharp +29.1%, driven by success of datacenter-related offerings.
Sales declined in both Mexico and Canada.
- Rest of the world (17.6% of Group revenue): Sales at constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates declined by -1.8% in the first quarter.
In Asia-Pacific (11.6% of Group revenue), sales were down -3.0% in the quarter, as significant growth in India and Australia failed to offset the retreat in China and Malaysia.
In Africa and the Middle East (3.1% of Group revenue), revenue rose by +13.1% in the first quarter, with growth in the Middle East, despite the geopolitical situation, and in Africa.
In South America (2.9% of Group revenue), sales declined by -9.9% in the first quarter.
Adjusted operating profit and margin
Adjusted operating profit stood at €524.7 million, up +11.5% from the first quarter of 2025. This corresponds to an adjusted operating margin equal to 20.7% of sales, stable compared to the first quarter of 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, EBITDA represented 23.2% of sales.
Over the quarter, despite inflation already affecting the cost base, the Group maintained strong and resilient profitability, reflecting solid execution, adaptability, and the quality of its recent acquisitions.
The Group remains fully mobilized to address the global geopolitical environment.
Value creation and solid balance sheet
Over the quarter, net profit attributable to the Group came to €334.9 million, up +14.2% from the first quarter of 2025 and equal to 13.2% of sales. This increase was driven primarily by higher operating profit, a lower corporate income tax rate of 26.0%, and the negative evolution of the financial result.
At March 31, 2026, the ratio of net debt to EBITDA4 stood at 2.1.
Sustained acquisition momentum
Legrand continues to actively execute its development strategy, with four acquisitions announced since the beginning of the year, all in datacenters and the energy transition. These represent combined annual revenue of around €275 million:
- Green4T, a Brazilian specialist in the installation, maintenance and operation of technical infrastructure for datacenters. Based in São Paulo, Green4T employs nearly 750 people and generates annual sales of around €45 million;
- Kratos Industries, a U.S. specialist in low- and medium-voltage power distribution systems. Based in Denver, Colorado, in the United States, Kratos Industries employs nearly 325 people and generates annual sales of around $100 million;
- Keydak, leading Chinese rack manufacturer based in Guangzhou. The company employs more than 330 people and generates annual revenue of over €60 million;
- TES, a European specialist in power distribution systems. Based in Cookstown in the United Kingdom, the company employs 280 people and generates close to €85 million in annual revenue.
These transactions strengthen the Group’s leadership positions in the buoyant datacenter and energy transition markets. They demonstrate once again Legrand’s excellent capabilities in identifying opportunities and in executing and docking acquisitions.
Success of the second international share ownership plan for employees
To recognize and further strengthen employees’ engagement with its strategic roadmap, Legrand launched a second international employee share ownership plan in March 2026, covering more than 70% of the Group’s workforce.
This non-dilutive plan, funded through share buybacks, was close to 40% subscribed, reflecting the confidence of Legrand teams in the Group's strategy.
Combined General Meeting of Shareholders on May 27, 2026
Board of Directors5
The terms of office of directors Isabelle Boccon-Gibod, Valérie Chort, Benoît Coquart, Angeles Garcia-Poveda and Clare Scherrer end this year. Their reappointments will be submitted for approval at the next General Meeting of shareholders.
Subject to these renewals, the Board of Directors would continue to align with best governance practices, comprising 80% independent Directors, 60% women and representing seven nationalities6.
Proposed dividend
As announced on February 12, 2026, Legrand’s Board of Directors will ask the General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 27, 2026 to approve a dividend of €2.38 per share in respect of 2025. This represents a rise of +8.2% compared with 2024 and corresponds to a payout ratio of 50%.
The ex-dividend date is May 29, 2026, with payment7 on June 2, 2026.
Capital Markets Days on September 29, 2026
At its last Investor Day on September 24, 2024, Legrand outlined the pillars of its highly value‑creating strategic model and presented its ambitions for 2030.
The 2025 results and the 2026 targets illustrate the disciplined implementation of this roadmap, notably through the strengthening of the Group’s growth profile.
Legrand will present a progress update on this 2030 roadmap – with a particular focus on its datacenter strategy – at an upcoming Capital Markets Day to be held in Singapore on September 29, 2026, alongside Data Center World Asia.
----------------
The Board adopted consolidated financial statements for first-quarter 2026 at its meeting on May 6, 2026. These consolidated financial statements, a presentation of 2026 first-quarter results, and the related teleconference (live and replay) are available at www.legrand.com.
KEY FINANCIAL DATES
- General Meeting of Shareholders : May 27, 2026
- Ex-dividend date : May 29, 2026
- Dividend payment : June 2, 2026
-
2026 first-half results : July 29, 2026
“Quiet period8” starts : June 29, 2026
- Capital Markets Day in Singapore : September 29, 2026
ABOUT LEGRAND
Legrand is the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures. Its comprehensive offering of solutions for residential, commercial, and datacenter markets makes it a benchmark for customers worldwide.
The Group harnesses technological and societal trends with lasting impacts on buildings with the purpose of improving life by transforming the spaces where people live, work and meet with electrical, digital infrastructures and connected solutions that are simple, innovative and sustainable.
Drawing on an approach that involves all teams and stakeholders, Legrand is pursuing a strategy of profitable and responsible growth driven by acquisitions and innovation, with a steady flow of new offerings that include products with enhanced value in use.
Legrand reported sales of €9.5 billion in 2025. The company is listed on Euronext Paris and is a component stock of the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG and CAC Transition Climat indexes (code ISIN FR0010307819).
https://www.legrand.com
Appendices
Glossary
Working capital requirement: Working capital requirement is defined as the sum of trade receivables, inventories, other current assets, income tax receivables and short-term deferred tax assets, less the sum of trade payables, other current liabilities, income tax payables, short-term provisions and short-term deferred tax liabilities.
Free cash flow: Free cash flow is defined as the sum of net cash from operating activities and net proceeds from sales of fixed and financial assets, less capital expenditure and capitalized development costs.
Organic growth: Organic growth is defined as the change in sales at constant structure (scope of consolidation) and exchange rates.
Net financial debt: Net financial debt is defined as the sum of short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings, less cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities.
EBITDA: EBITDA is defined as operating profit plus depreciation and impairment of tangible and right of use assets, amortization and impairment of intangible assets (including capitalized development costs) and impairment of goodwill.
Cash flow from operations: Cash flow from operations is defined as net cash from operating activities excluding changes in working capital requirement.
Adjusted operating profit: Adjusted operating profit is defined as operating profit adjusted for amortization and depreciation of revaluation of assets at the time of acquisitions and for other P&L impacts relating to acquisitions, and where applicable, impairment of goodwill.
CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility.
Payout: Payout is defined as the ratio between the proposed dividend per share for a given year, divided by the net profit attributable to the Group per share of the same year, calculated on the basis of the average number of ordinary shares at December 31 of that year, excluding shares held in treasury.
Calculation of working capital requirement
In € millions |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
Trade receivables |
1,278.9 |
1,490.4 |
Inventories |
1,381.9 |
1,586.6 |
Other current assets |
318.8 |
361.2 |
Income tax receivables |
187.5 |
112.3 |
Short-term deferred taxes assets / (liabilities) |
135.1 |
164.2 |
Trade payables |
(1,028.3) |
(1,174.6) |
Other current liabilities |
(963.1) |
(1,074.7) |
Income tax payables |
(94.9) |
(91.8) |
Short-term provisions |
(158.3) |
(159.8) |
Working capital required |
1,057.6 |
1,213.8 |
Calculation of net financial debt
In € millions |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
Short-term borrowings |
569.5 |
304.9 |
Long-term borrowings |
4,750.4 |
6,305.7 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
(2,288.3) |
(1,940.1) |
Net financial debt |
3,031.6 |
4,670.5 |
Reconciliation of adjusted operating profit with profit for the period
In € millions |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
Profit for the period |
294.3 |
336.1 |
Share of profits / (losses) of equity-accounted entities |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Income tax expense |
114.5 |
118.2 |
Exchange (gains) / losses |
5.1 |
(1.2) |
Financial income |
(17.6) |
(15.4) |
Financial expense |
37.9 |
47.5 |
Operating profit |
434.2 |
485.2 |
Amortization & depreciation of revaluation of assets at the time of acquisitions and other P&L impacts relating to acquisitions |
36.2 |
39.5 |
Impairment of goodwill |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Adjusted operating profit |
470.4 |
524.7 |
Reconciliation of EBITDA with profit for the period
In € millions |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
Profit for the period |
294.3 |
336.1 |
Share of profits / (losses) of equity-accounted entities |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Income tax expense |
114.5 |
118.2 |
Exchange (gains) / losses |
5.1 |
(1.2) |
Financial income |
(17.6) |
(15.4) |
Financial expense |
37.9 |
47.5 |
Operating profit |
434.2 |
485.2 |
Depreciation and impairment of tangible assets (including right-of-use assets) |
55.2 |
60.5 |
Amortization and impairment of intangible assets (including capitalized development costs) |
38.7 |
42.2 |
Impairment of goodwill |
0.0 |
0.0 |
EBITDA |
528.1 |
587.9 |
Reconciliation of cash flow from operations and free cash flow with profit for the period
In € millions |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
Profit for the period |
294.3 |
336.1 |
Adjustments for non-cash movements in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and impairment |
95.2 |
104.0 |
Changes in other non-current assets and liabilities and long-term deferred Taxes |
9.7 |
0.2 |
Unrealized exchange (gains) / losses |
(0.1) |
1.2 |
(Gains) / losses on sales of assets, net |
0.2 |
0.2 |
Other adjustments |
7.0 |
9.2 |
Cash flow from operations |
406.3 |
450.9 |
Decrease / (Increase) in working capital requirement |
(185.3) |
(194.1) |
Net cash provided from operating activities |
221.0 |
256.8 |
Capital expenditure (including capitalized development costs) |
(33.2) |
(36.4) |
Net proceeds on asset disposals |
0.3 |
0.6 |
Free cash flow |
188.1 |
221.0 |
Scope of consolidation
2025 |
Q1 |
H1 |
9M |
Full-year |
Full consolidation method |
||||
APP |
Balance sheet only |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Power Bus Way |
Balance sheet only |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Performation |
Balance sheet only |
Balance sheet only |
Balance sheet only |
11 months |
CRS |
Balance sheet only |
Balance sheet only |
Balance sheet only |
9 months |
Linkk Busway Systems |
|
|
Balance sheet only |
6 months |
Amperio Project |
|
|
Balance sheet only |
Balance sheet only |
Quitérios |
|
|
Balance sheet only |
5 months |
Cogelec |
|
|
|
Balance sheet only |
Avtron Power Solutions |
|
|
|
2 months |
2026 |
Q1 |
H1 |
9M |
Full-year |
Full consolidation method |
||||
APP |
3 months |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Power Bus Way |
3 months |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Performation |
3 months |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
CRS |
3 months |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Linkk Busway Systems |
3 months |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Amperio Project |
3 months |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Quitérios |
3 months |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Cogelec |
Balance sheet only |
To be determined |
To be determined |
To be determined |
Avtron Power Solutions |
3 months |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
Green4T |
Balance sheet only |
To be determined |
To be determined |
To be determined |
Kratos Industries |
Balance sheet only |
To be determined |
To be determined |
To be determined |
TES |
Balance sheet only |
To be determined |
To be determined |
To be determined |
Keydak |
|
To be determined |
To be determined |
To be determined |
Disclaimer
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, relating to Legrand's financial situation as well as certain sustainability issues relevant to its activities, which are not historical data. Although Legrand considers these statements to be based on reasonable hypothesis and assumptions at the time of publication of this document, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied herein.
Details on risks are provided in the most recent version of Legrand Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers (French Financial Markets Authority, AMF). which is available on-line on the websites of both AMF (www.amf-france.org) and Legrand (www.legrand.com).
Investors and holders of Legrand securities are reminded that no forward-looking statement contained in this press release is or should be construed as a promise or a guarantee of actual results by Legrand or anyone else. which are liable to differ significantly. Therefore such statements should be used with caution taking into account their inherent uncertainty.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are only valid on the date of its publication. Subject to applicable regulations. Legrand does not undertake to update these statements to reflect events, information or circumstances occurring after the date of publication of this release.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell. or a solicitation of an offer to buy Legrand securities in any jurisdiction.
Readers are invited to verify the authenticity of Legrand press releases with the CertiDox app. Learn more at www.certidox.com
1 For more information, see the Legrand press release dated February 13, 2025
2 For further information, please refer to documents published in the Capital Markets Day 2024 - Legrand section
3 For further information, please refer to documents published in the CSR Capital Markets Day 2025 - Legrand section
4 Based on EBITDA for the past 12 months
5 Subject to the approval of the General Meeting of shareholders to be held on May 27, 2026
6 Proposed changes to the composition of Board Committees are set out in chapter 6.1.1.1 of the universal registration document - Legrand_URD_2025_ENGLISH
7 This distribution will be made in full out of distributable income
8 Period of time when all communication is suspended in the run-up to publication of results
Contacts
INVESTOR RELATIONS & FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION
Ronan MARC (Legrand)
+33 1 49 72 53 53
ronan.marc@legrand.com
PRESS RELATIONS
Lucie DAUDIGNY (TBWA)
+33 6 77 20 71 11
lucie.daudigny@tbwa-corporate.com