DHL Group has reported a steady start to the 2025 financial year, with group revenue rising 2.8 percent year-on-year to €20.8 billion. Operating profit (EBIT) for the first quarter climbed 4.5 percent to €1.4 billion, while net profit after non-controlling interests increased by 6.2 percent to €786 million. The company credits its consistent performance to disciplined cost and yield management amid a challenging economic climate shaped by cautious global activity and evolving U.S. trade policies.
CEO Tobias Meyer highlighted that the company’s resilient performance reflects its strategic focus. “We continued the positive momentum of previous quarters through disciplined management and targeted investments in high-growth sectors,” Meyer said in an official statement. He added that ongoing efforts to boost structural efficiency are helping to sustain growth.
Stability
The group’s Express division generated €6.1 billion in revenue, up two percent, with EBIT improving 4.8 percent to €662 million. Despite a drop in time-definite international shipments, effective capacity planning and pricing strategies helped maintain profitability. However, the Global Forwarding division saw EBIT plunge 23 percent to €202 million, despite a 3.2 percent revenue rise to €4.8 billion. DHL attributed the earnings decline to weakness in European road freight markets, although air and sea freight remained stable.
DHL Supply Chain continued its growth trend, posting a marginal increase in revenue to €4.4 billion and a five percent rise in EBIT to €268 million. The division benefitted from new contract wins and productivity improvements driven by automation. Meanwhile, eCommerce revenue rose seven percent to €1.7 billion, though EBIT fell nine percent to €52 million due to depreciation tied to strategic network investments.
Looking ahead, DHL maintained its full-year guidance, expecting an operating profit of at least €6 billion and free cash flow of around €3 billion, excluding mergers and acquisitions. The company remains cautious about the macroeconomic outlook but anticipates continued support from cost-saving initiatives.