Continental AG shares surge as Q1 results top estimates

6th May 2026 11:44

(Sharecast News) - Shares in Continental AG raced ahead in Frankfurt on Wednesday after the tyre and automotive tech group reported first-quarter results that beat analysts' expectations

The company said that, despite the current geopolitical climate, it is keeping the full-year sales target of €17.3bn-18.9bn and adjusted EBIT margin of 11.0-12.5%, compared with €19.7bn and 10.35% in 2025, respectively.

Chief financial officer Roland Welzbacher said it would "take time for recent changes in raw material prices to have an impact on us". He added: "We are analysing and assessing the situation and, where necessary, are taking measures to safeguard earnings."

Consolidated sales totalled €4.40bn in the first quarter, down 10.4% over last year owing mainly to currency movements. Excluding these and other adjustments, organic sales fell just 0.9%. Nevertheless, this was still ahead of the company-compiled consensus of €4.37bn.

Continental AG also reported adjusted EBITDA of €522m, up 6.1% compared with the year before and above the €500m market estimate, helped by both the tyres and ContiTech arms growing profit margins year-on-year "despite burdens from tariffs and exchange-rate effects".

"We had a good operational start to the year, increasing our profitability in both Tires and ContiTech compared with the same quarter of last year. This gives us momentum," said chief executive Christian Kötz.

"At the same time, geopolitical developments are creating greater uncertainty for consumers and for the economy as a whole. This is why we are continuing to work hard on increasing our competitiveness."

The stock was up 8.6% at €67.72 by 1200 BST.