BASF has released preliminary figures for the second quarter of 2026. Sales increased by 16% in the second quarter of 2026 to EUR 17.2 billion (Q2 2025: EUR 14.8 billion). According to Vara, analysts had expected sales of EUR 16.5 billion on average for the second quarter of 2026.

Net income reached an expected EUR 4.1 billion, significantly above average analyst estimates for the second quarter of 2026 (Vara: EUR 2.4 billion) and far exceeding the figure in the prior-year quarter (Q2 2025: EUR 79 million). This was mainly due to the disposal gain in the amount of EUR 3.9 billion before taxes from the coatings transaction with Carlyle, which was closed on June 30, 2026.

EBITDA before special items of BASF Group amounted to an expected EUR 2.4 billion in the second quarter of 2026, which was considerably above analyst consensus and prior-year figure. The significant increase in EBITDA before special items of BASF Group compared with the prior-year period was mainly due to higher earnings in all segments except Surface Technologies.

Outlook for the full-year 2026

In light of the better-than-expected business development, BASF is increasing its full-year 2026 outlook for EBITDA before special items.

The company now anticipates EBITDA before special items of EUR 6.9–7.7 billion in 2026 (previously: EUR 6.2–7.0 billion; analyst consensus 2026: EUR 7.3 billion; full year 2025: EUR 6.6 billion).