DHL Group has reported a resilient performance for the 2025 fiscal year, navigating a landscape of geopolitical friction and volatile trade lanes to surpass its operating profit guidance. Despite a marginal revenue decline to €82.9 billion, the logistics giant leveraged active capacity management and a rigorous efficiency program to lift its operating profit (EBIT) to €6.1 billion.
The 1.6% dip in revenue from the previous year was largely attributed to negative currency translation effects and shifting trade policies, particularly on routes between China and the United States. However, profitability indicators remained strong, with the EBIT margin improving to 7.4% and basic earnings per share rising to €3.09. This financial strength has allowed the Board of Management to propose an increased dividend of €1.90 per share.
Divisional Dynamics and Challenges
The Express division faced significant headwinds, recording a 9.4% drop in daily Time Definite International (TDI) volumes. This was primarily driven by new US tariffs and the elimination of de-minimis rules, which impacted shipments into the American market. Conversely, the Supply Chain division saw an 8.7% EBIT increase, bolstered by its “Accelerated Growth Solutions” and high demand in the Retail and Healthcare sectors.
Post & Parcel Germany also demonstrated considerable strength. By successfully offsetting declining mail volumes with structural growth in parcels, the division reported a 25.8% jump in EBIT to over €1 billion. This turnaround was driven by yield management and strict cost discipline despite the additional burden of new collective bargaining agreements.
Strategy 2030 and the “Fit for Growth” Mandate Central to this performance is the ongoing implementation of “Strategy 2030: Accelerate Sustainable Growth,” which was introduced in late 2024. The Group is increasingly focusing on “Fit for Growth,” a structural program designed to improve the cost structure and concentrate resources on fast-growing sectors like life sciences and e-commerce. This strategy emphasizes digitalization and automation as primary value drivers to reduce complexity and enhance service quality across the global network.
Growth Through Strategic Acquisitions
The 2025 fiscal year was also defined by a series of targeted acquisitions and disposals aimed at sharpening the Group’s competitive edge. DHL Group finalized the purchase of Inmar Supply Chain Solutions to boost returns logistics in North America and the CRYOPDP Group to enhance specialty pharma capabilities.
In a significant move for the European market, the Group merged DHL eCommerce UK with the British parcel delivery company Evri, retaining a 30.29% stake in the resulting associate. Most recently, the November acquisition of SDS Holdings further strengthened DHL’s footprint in specialized healthcare transport.
Operational Agility: The 2026 “Spring Peak”
The Group’s operational agility was put to a record-breaking test during the early 2026 “Spring Peak”. In Germany, DHL prepared for an unprecedented Easter surge, with daily parcel volumes forecast to reach 10.5 million shipments on the busiest day. This spike, driven by seasonal consumer demand for garden products and outdoor furniture, required proactive capacity planning and the support of roughly 10,000 temporary staff in the Post & Parcel division.
Commitment to Sustainability
Amidst operational scaling, DHL Group remained committed to its “Green Logistics of Choice” mandate. The Group reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions to 32.3 million metric tons of CO2e in 2025, beating its planned target. A notable achievement was the expansion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) usage, which reached 10% of the company’s own aircraft fleet, up from just 3.5% the previous year.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, CEO Tobias Meyer expressed confidence in the Group’s ability to seize global opportunities despite persistent macroeconomic uncertainty. Guidance for 2026 projects an operating profit exceeding €6.2 billion, supported by a continued focus on efficiency and the stabilization of global freight markets. While geopolitical volatility is expected to persist, the Group’s broad global positioning and flexible network approach are intended to provide a sound basis for further profitable growth.
