Maersk Raises 2026 EBIT Forecast to $8B-$8.5B

A.P. Møller-Maersk on Nov. 5, 2026 raised 2026 underlying EBIT guidance to $8 billion-$8.5 billion from $4.5 billion-$6.5 billion and underlying EBITDA to $14 billion-$14.5 billion from $10.5 billion-$12.5 billion, and now expects free cash flow above $3 billion. Third-quarter revenue rose 27% to $18.1 billion, EBITDA to $4.7 billion from $2.7 billion, and EBIT to $3.3 billion from $1.3 billion, with net profit about $3 billion. Ocean revenue rose 37% to $12.6 billion and Ocean EBIT to $2.6 billion as average loaded freight rates rose about 46% to $3,287 per FFE; loaded volumes fell 0.8% to 3.37 million FFE with 96% vessel utilisation. CEO Vincent Clerc said, "Despite continued geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions, global trade has remained remarkably resilient," and that "Demand is being driven not only by consumer spending, but increasingly by major investments in electrification, energy and the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, generating significant flows of industrial cargo around the world." Maersk cited severe typhoons in East Asia that caused port congestion and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting cargo flows. The outlook assumes about 4% container market growth. Shares fell about 10-11% after the announcement.