Birkenstock lifts guidance, shares spark

(Sharecast News) - Shares in Birkenstock marched ahead on Thursday after the German sandal maker said full-year earnings were on track to beat expectations. Updating on trading during an investor day at its Munich head office, the New York-listed firm said fourth-quarter sales had jumped 14%, or by 18% in constant currencies, to €520m.

As a result, full-year revenues are now set to be "at least" €2.09bn, ahead of expectations for annual growth of between 15% and 17%.

The majority of Birkenstock's production base is in Germany. It has therefore raised prices this year to compensate for US tariffs on European imports, but demand looks to have remained strong.

The 251-year-old group also reiterated guidance for full-year adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of between 31.3% and 31.8%, despite foreign exchange headwinds.

As at 1100 BST, Birkenstock had put on 4% in pre-market trading.

The group, which debuted on the NYSE in 2023, also flagged the acquisition of a major production facility near Dresden for €18m.

Birkenstock was able to acquire the site - which includes 78,000sq m of production and logistics space, and 80,000sq m of undeveloped land - for just €240 per square metre after the former owner went bankrupt.

"The acquisition will fast track the company's manufacturing capacity build-up plans at a favourable cost to a new build," Birkenstock said.

Birkenstock, which was founded by a German cobbler in 1774, was under family control until 2021, when US private equity firm L Catterton acquired a majority stake.