+++ Business figures +++: Sixt raises its forecast

Nissan's earnings for the second quarter plunged nearly completely as higher costs for raw materials and components, along with weak sales in China, weighed on the results, the company announced on Wednesday. The operating profit fell by 96 percent year-on-year to 2.1 billion Yen (twelve million euros) from July to September, falling short of analysts' collective estimate of 60 billion Yen.

Despite the decline, Nissan remains committed to its full-year profit forecast of 200 billion Yen, citing dynamic conditions in the Japanese and North American automotive markets, while noting that China remains challenging. China's passenger vehicle sales are projected to fall to under 19 million for the first time since 2014, according to the Chinese Automobile Association.

Fuel cell manufacturer SFC Energy more than doubled its profit in the first nine months, driven by a large order from Ukraine, and raised its forecast to eight-fold. The third quarter saw a record sales month with sales exceeding 50 million euros for the first time in the company's history. The management predicts a lower contribution in the final quarter due to a heavier civil use product mix and higher planned investments.

Nissan has once again raised its earnings forecast to between 36 and 38 million euros for the entire year, with revenue expectations of 166 to 175 million euros. Chemical distributor Brenntag, after growth in the third quarter, expressed greater confidence in the company's 2026 full-year outlook. Year-over-year revenue climbed 14.7 percent to nearly 4.3 billion euros in the first nine months, with the company's adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) jumping 16.5 percent to 385 million euros.

The upside leeway for Brenntag's earnings target has expanded to between 1.35 and 1.45 billion euros for the year. Shareholders profited 129 million euros in the quarter, up from 113 million euros the previous year. Industrialdienstleister Bilfinger also witnessed subdued customer demand due to the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf and confirmed its annual targets in the third quarter.

The company expects to cut up to 1,500 jobs as part of a cost-cutting program. Bilfinger's profit declined by 21 percent to 43 million euros as a result of subdued output and a less favorable product mix. The company's revenue and operating results met analysts' expectations, with sales up a quarter to 1.7 billion euros.