Ahold Delhaize has reduced its 2026 earnings and free cash flow guidance after a cyberattack last month while third-quarter (Q3) sales and operating income increased.
The retailer now expects low-single-digit growth in diluted underlying earnings per share (EPS) at constant exchange rates for the full year, replacing its previous mid-to-high-single-digit expectation.
It forecasts full-year free cash flow of approximately €2.1bn ($2.36bn), compared with its earlier target of at least €2.3bn.
The revised outlook reflects the cyber disruption and new supplier payment regulations in Serbia.
The cyberattack affected US and Benelux online services, as well as Benelux supply chain operations.
Ahold Delhaize expects the incident to reduce Q4 net sales by €200m to €250m, and underlying and operating income by €75m to €100m, alongside marginal remediation costs.
For the quarter ended 27 September 2026, group net sales rose 1.9% at constant exchange rates, or 2.6% at actual rates, to €23.09bn.
Operating income reached €976m, increasing 7.1% at constant rates and 8.1% at actual rates, while the operating margin was 4.2%.
Net income rose 5.9% at constant rates to €625m.
Free cash flow was €445m, up 12.5% at constant rates from €389m in Q3 2025.
US net sales increased 1.1% at constant rates to €13.27bn while US online sales rose 14.2% to €1.29bn.
European sales grew 3.1% at constant rates to €9.82bn, with online sales also up 3.1% to €1.34bn.
Ahold Delhaize also recently agreed to acquire Tesco Czechia and Slovakia for a lease-adjusted enterprise value of approximately €1.7bn.
The deal is subject to antitrust and other regulatory approvals, and completion is expected in Q4 2027.
It confirmed a €1bn share buyback programme to start in 2027.
Ahold Delhaize president and CEO Frans Muller said: “Our resilient third quarter performance reflects the progress we are making on the execution of our 'Growing Together' strategy. As households remain focused on value, our brands’ deep understanding of customers enables them to respond with the right combination of affordability, quality, healthy choices and convenience.”
