The Rheinmetall-Group wants to concentrate on the defense business in the future and sell off its civilian business activities. This involves components for the automotive and energy industries. The sale is to be negotiated with two bidders; management is aiming to sign a contract in the first quarter of 2026, as the DAX group announced. Rheinmetall does not name the interested parties. Rheinmetall shares were recently slightly higher before the trading session.
Rheinmetall has been in discussions with interested parties since April. The part of the group that has been divested is primarily concerned with automotive supply and parts for the energy industry. As part of the sale, the group wrote off 350 million euros on the value of the division.
From now on, the Power Systems division and other associated companies will be separated from the group for accounting purposes and managed as discontinued operations, which is why the group also adjusted its forecast.
Strong increase in sales this year
Sales from continued businesses are expected to grow by 30 to 35 percent this year compared to comparable sales of 7.7 billion euros a year earlier. Boss Armin Papperger (62) expects the operating profit margin to be between 18.5 and 19.0 percent compared to the comparable value of 18.0 percent from the previous year.
So far, the plans for the entire group were to increase sales by 25 to 30 percent and to achieve an operating margin of around 15.5 percent.