Europe Movers: ABB, Brunello Cucinelli, Ipsos, Moncler, Pernod Ricard, Pluxee, Sandvik, Wise

Inga Muller
17 Apr, 2025
Frankfurt

ABB Ltd. slipped 1.2% to CHF 42.04 after the electrification and automation services provider reported first quarter 2025 results.

Revenue jumped 1% to $7.93 billion from $7.87 billion, net income edged up 22% to $1.10 billion from $950 million, and basic earnings per share rose to 60 cents from 49 cents a year ago.

Orders in the quarter edged up 3% to $9.21 billion from $8.97 billion in the prior year.

The company’s free cash flow increased 18% in the quarter to $652 million from $551 million a year earlier.

“We expect to create further value by actively managing our portfolio and spinning off our robotics business,” the company said in a release to investors.

The robotics division will start trading as a separately listed company during the second quarter of 2026.

The company guided second-quarter 2025 revenue growth in “the mid-single digit range” and the operational EBITA margin to remain broadly stable with last year’s 19%.

For the full year 2025, ABB estimated a positive book-to-bill, revenue growth in “the mid-single digit range,” and operational EBITA margin to improve from a year ago amid a difficult market environment.

ABB has approved a dividend of CHF 0.90 per share and a share repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion.

On March 3, the company completed the acquisition of Siemens’ Wiring Accessories business in China, which generated over $150 million in revenue in 2024.

Pernod Ricard gained 1.7% to €92.86 after the French alcoholic beverages distributor reported third-quarter 2025 sales results.

Net sales declined 3% to €2.28 billion from €2.35 billion a year ago.

Nine-month sales edged down 5% to €8.45 billion from €8.94 billion a year earlier.

The company proposed an interim dividend of €2.35 per share, payable on July 25 to shareholders on record as of July 23.

Ipsos dropped 3.4% to €40.82 after the French market research and polling company reported first-quarter 2025 revenue results.

Revenue increased to €568.5 million from €557.5 million a year ago.

“In the EMEA region, total growth stands at 6.1%, driven by the integration of Infas in Germany since January,” the company said in a release to investors.

Activity in the Americas declined 1.7% on an organic basis, largely because of the political uncertainty in the U.S.

Performance in the Asia-Pacific region continues to be weak, because of slow recovery in China.

Pluxee NV dropped 1.3% to €18.61 after the employment benefits and engagement company reported first-half 2025 results.

Revenue surged 7.2% to €635 million from €593 million, net profit jumped 55.5% to €106 million from €68 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to 66 cents from 44 cents a year ago.

Employee benefits BVI reached €9.6 billion in the first half, an 8.4% organic increase and a 10.1% increase excluding the impact of the one-time Purchasing Power Program in Belgium, which contributed approximately €160 million in the first half.

The company guided fiscal 2025 revenue to grow by “low double-digit,” keeping its financial objectives unchanged by fiscal 2026.

Wise Plc. dropped 1.4% to 956.50 pence after the UK-based money transfer company reported fourth quarter 2025 trading results.

Underlying income edged up 15% on a constant currency to £350.4 million compared to the same quarter a year ago.

Cross-border volumes grew 28% to £39.1 billion, and Wise customer holdings increased by 33% to £21.5 billion from a year ago.

A total of 9.3 million active customers used Wise in the fourth quarter, an increase of 17% from a year earlier.

Sandvik gained 0.3% to 189.90 krona after the Swedish engineering company reported first quarter 2025 results.

Revenue increased to SEK 29.30 billion from SEK 29.0 billion, profit jumped to SEK 3.74 billion from SEK 1.25 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to SEK 2.97 from 99 cents a year ago.

Total order intake climbed by 2% to SEK 32.76 billion from SEK 31.98 billion a year earlier.

Free operating cash flow amounted to SEK 3.81 billion compared to SEK 3.77 billion in the prior year.

The company has recently completed nine strategic acquisitions.

Brunello Cucinelli SpA traded flat at €97.36 after the Italian luxury apparel retailer reported first-quarter 2025 revenue results.

Revenue surged 10.5% to €341.47 million from €309.09 million a year ago.

Sales in the Americas jumped 10.3%, in Europe advanced 10.1%, and in Asia rose 11.3%.

Retail sales edged up 11.9%, while wholesale revenue increased by 8.2%.

“The fall-winter 2025 sales campaign ended with excellent order intake and flattering feedback on both men's and women's collections,” the company said in a release to investors.

The fashion goods retailer confirmed its 2025 guidance for a 10% growth in sales, as it will work on a new price list for U.S. customers to avoid tariff impact on the business.

Moncler decreased 1.8% to €54.10 after the Italian fashion brand retailer reported first-quarter 2025 revenue results.

Revenue inched up 1% to €829.0 million from €818.0 million a year ago.

The results include Moncler brand revenue of €721.8 million and Stone Island brand revenue of €107.3 million.

Sales in Asia were up 6% in the quarter, in EMEA down 1%, and in the Americas down 2% compared to the prior year.

The direct-to-consumer channel recorded revenues of €630.5 million, an increase of 4% from the same quarter a year ago.

The wholesale channel recorded revenue of €91.3 million, a decline of 5% from the previous year.