JOST Werke SE, a leading global manufacturer of safety-critical systems for the commercial vehicle industry, reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2026, showcasing significant growth in revenue and profitability. The company's revenue increased by 12.7% to EUR 440.2 million, up from EUR 390.7 million in the same period last year, with organic growth of 8.9% after adjusting for acquisition and currency effects. This growth was broad-based, supported by all regions and business lines, including Transport, Agriculture, and Hydraulics.
The company's adjusted EBIT grew by 18.5% to EUR 43.9 million, outpacing revenue growth, and the adjusted EBIT margin improved to 10.0% from 9.5% in the prior year. This performance reflects the successful integration of Hyva, which is generating cross-selling synergies, particularly in off-highway applications such as agriculture and hydraulics. The company also reported a significant increase in earnings after tax, which more than doubled to EUR 15.9 million, and adjusted earnings after tax rose by 19.1% to EUR 24.6 million.
Geographically, JOST saw robust growth across all regions. In EMEA, revenue rose by 9.5% to EUR 205.9 million, driven by increased demand in Transport and Agriculture, although adjusted EBIT margin declined due to structural adjustments and higher input costs. In AMERICAS, revenue increased by 17.1% to EUR 121.0 million, with organic growth of 14.2%, and adjusted EBIT margin improved significantly to 13.3% from 11.0%, thanks to new customer wins and a better product mix. APAC also performed well, with revenue up 14.0% to EUR 113.3 million and adjusted EBIT margin improving to 15.7%, driven by strong export business in China and rising demand in India.
The company's financial position strengthened considerably. Free cash flow turned positive at EUR 17.3 million, compared to EUR 0.6 million in the prior year. Net debt decreased to EUR 380.2 million from EUR 441.6 million at the end of 2025, and the leverage ratio improved to 1.81x, back within the target range of 1.0x to 2.0x. This improvement was supported by a capital increase in February 2026, which raised gross proceeds of EUR 92.6 million and boosted equity to EUR 433.9 million, improving the equity ratio to 26.9%.
Return on capital employed (ROCE) increased by 3.5 percentage points to 16.3%, reflecting efficient capital allocation. Oliver Gantzert, CFO of JOST, commented, "Our disciplined capital allocation is paying off. Just one and a half years after the largest acquisition in our company's history, we have increased ROCE by 3.5 percentage points to 16.3% and brought our leverage ratio back into the strategic target range. This is clear evidence that we are deploying our capital in a value-creating way."
Looking ahead, JOST confirmed its outlook for the 2026 fiscal year, expecting group revenue to grow in the single-digit percentage range and adjusted EBIT to grow at a faster pace, with an improved adjusted EBIT margin. The company remains confident despite ongoing supply chain challenges and the military conflict in Iran, which currently has no significant impact on customer demand.
The full interim report for the first half of 2026 is available at https://ir.jost-world.com/reports. The company's strong performance underscores its ability to execute its AMBITION 2030 strategy and create value for shareholders and customers alike.
