Merck Raises 2026 Profit Guidance Amid Strong Demand for Semiconductor Materials

Germany's Merck KGaA has raised its 2026 core profit guidance due to strong demand for semiconductor materials and drug production supplies.

The diversified family-controlled group expects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of between €5.9 billion and €6.3 billion in 2026, up from previous guidance of between €5.7 billion and €6.1 billion.

Quarterly adjusted EBITDA rose 9.4% to €1.60 billion, above analysts' average estimate of €1.53 billion.

CEO Kai Beckmann attributed the company's semiconductor business growth to growing AI-related spending, saying demand remained strong and customers continued to report capacity bottlenecks for AI-related technologies.