Metzler Capital Markets maintained its investment case for Knorr-Bremse (KBX.F), saying it expects the German braking systems manufacturer to report a "solid" second-quarter performance and confirm its full-year 2026 outlook on July 30.
"We believe that Q2/26e will be another solid quarter, characterized by an order intake of EUR 2,149 m (+2% YoY, -4% QoQ), a book-to-bill ratio >1 in both divisions, sales of EUR 2,047 m (+6% QoQ), an adj. EBIT of EUR 289 m (+11% QoQ), and an expansion of the margin by 70bps QoQ to 14.1%. Moreover, we believe that in Q2/26e KB did not experience any material direct (sales exposure Middle East: <1%, while energy costs account for <2% of sales) or indirect impact (such as price hikes from suppliers or supply chain bottlenecks) from the Iran war," analysts said Monday.
Alongside the results, the research firm expects Knorr-Bremse to release a new midterm strategy focused on growth initiatives, even as cost management remains a core priority.
Analysts forecast the group will aim for 4% to 5% annual organic sales growth and an adjusted EBIT margin of between 15.5% and 16.0% by 2029 or 2030, driven by anticipated margin expansions within its core divisions.
Metzler still rates the stock at buy, with an unchanged price target of 124 euros.