Fresenius Medical Care delivers 27% earnings growth in 2025 and reaches upper end of its financial outlook; margin within 2025 mid-term target band
Rhea-AI Summary
Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE:FMS) reported strong 2025 results: Group operating income rose to €1,827m (+31% yoy), reported net income to €978m (+82% yoy) and basic EPS to €3.36 (+83% yoy). Operating income margin reached 11.3%, inside the 2025 mid-term target band.
The company recorded €238m of 2025 FME25+ savings (accumulated €804m), announced a €1.0bn buyback (first tranche completed: 14.1m shares for €586m) and proposed a €1.49 dividend (+3%).
Positive
- Operating income +31% to €1,827m in FY 2025
- Basic EPS +83% to €3.36 in FY 2025
- Operating income margin reached 11.3%, within target band
- FME25+ delivered €238m incremental savings in 2025
- Completed buyback tranche: 14.1m shares for €586m
- Proposed dividend €1.49 per share (+3%)
Negative
- Divestitures reduced revenue by €244m in 2025 (130 bps headwind)
- Corporate operating loss of €119m in FY 2025
- FME25+ program costs and planned costs ~€1.2bn through 2027
News Market Reaction – FMS
On the day this news was published, FMS declined 7.85%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 13 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $1.21B from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $14.25B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Momentum data flagged the stock as moving down, while one peer in momentum rose and one fell, suggesting a stock-specific move rather than a broad Healthcare facilities trade.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 | HHD growth update | Positive | +1.1% | Reported growth in U.S. home hemodialysis adoption and new VersiHD launch. |
| Jan 09 | Buyback acceleration | Positive | +1.4% | Accelerated second tranche of <b>EUR 1bn</b> share buyback under FME Reignite framework. |
| Dec 10 | Management change | Positive | +3.0% | Appointed new Global Chief Medical Officer to support strategic clinical initiatives. |
| Nov 04 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -7.8% | Reported strong Q3 revenue and operating income growth with margin expansion. |
| Oct 30 | AI & HDF data | Positive | -0.8% | Highlighted real-world HDF outcomes and AI tools at ASN Kidney Week 2025. |
Most positive announcements have seen supportive price reactions, but strong operational updates have occasionally been followed by negative moves, indicating some history of sell-the-news behavior.
Over the last few months, the company has focused on innovation, capital returns and profitability. A Q3 2025 update showed higher margins and operating income growth, while a EUR 1.0bn buyback and leadership changes underpinned strategic repositioning. Additional news highlighted home hemodialysis adoption and AI-enabled kidney care. Against this backdrop, the latest full-year 2025 results extend the prior earnings inflection and capital allocation themes with higher margins, EPS growth and balance sheet strengthening.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved -7.8% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite strong 2025 results would fit the history of occasional divergences, such as the Q3 2025 update that coincided with a price decline. The company reported 27% operating income growth, an 11.3% margin and higher EPS, alongside ongoing portfolio optimization and debt reduction. Weakness in this context could reflect profit-taking or skepticism about the flat 2026 revenue outlook rather than the backward-looking earnings strength.
Key Terms
tdapa regulatory
hemodiafiltration medical
high-volume hemodiafiltration medical
virtual power purchase agreements technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Strong organic revenue growth1 in 2025 of
8% driven by all operating segments - Driven by an exceptional Q4, full year operating income2 growth of
27% reached top end of financial outlook, resulting in a significant margin step up to11.3% - Reported operating income grew by
31% , reported net income3 by82% - Earnings per share2 (EPS) grew by
44% , supported by the accelerated share buyback program - Dividend of
EUR 1.49 (+3% ) planned to be proposed - FY 2026 outlook operating income is forecast to remain on a consistent level despite significant additional headwinds
BAD HOMBURG,
Helen Giza continued, "Looking ahead to 2026, we are set to build on the remarkable transformation of recent years and advance the execution of our FME Reignite strategy. For our patients, we are excited to expand access to high-volume hemodiafiltration in the
Key figures Q4 and FY 2025
Q4 2025 | Q4 2024 | Growth | Growth | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | Growth | Growth | |
EUR m | EUR m | yoy | yoy, cc | EUR m | EUR m | yoy | yoy, cc | |
Revenue | 5,070 | 5,085 | 0 % | +7 % | 19,628 | 19,336 | +2 % | +5 % |
Operating income | 594 | 259 | +129 % | +144 % | 1,827 | 1,392 | +31 % | +36 % |
excl. special items2 | 705 | 489 | +44 % | +53 % | 2,212 | 1,797 | +23 % | +27 % |
Net income3 | 327 | 67 | +389 % | +421 % | 978 | 538 | +82 % | +88 % |
excl. special items2 | 412 | 266 | +55 % | +64 % | 1,248 | 903 | +38 % | +43 % |
Basic EPS (EUR) | 1.14 | 0.23 | +402 % | +434 % | 3.36 | 1.83 | +83 % | +89 % |
excl. special items2 | 1.44 | 0.91 | +59 % | +68 % | 4.28 | 3.08 | +39 % | +44 % |
yoy = year-on-year, cc = at constant currency, EPS = earnings per share |
FME Reignite set for next phase of value creation
Fresenius Medical Care, the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal disease, successfully concluded its milestone year 2025 and embarked into the next phase of value creation with its FME Reignite strategy. Introduced at the Capital Markets Day in June 2025, the new strategy focuses on strengthening our core operations, driving profitable growth and innovation, and advancing the company culture.
In 2025, Fresenius Medical Care began a soft launch of the high-volume hemodiafiltration (HVHDF) capable 5008X CAREsystem in select
Operational efficiency: In 2025, the FME25+ transformation program further accelerated its positive momentum, delivering
Portfolio Optimization: Fresenius Medical Care continued the execution of its portfolio optimization plan to exit non-core and dilutive assets, emphasizing the company´s focus on product areas, businesses and markets with the best strategic fit, scale and sustainable profitable growth potential. Transactions negatively impacted revenue by
Dividend and share buyback: In 2025, Fresenius Medical Care introduced a new capital allocation framework. The framework foresees a stable and predictable dividend development that results in a payout ratio of
In parallel, net financial debt was further reduced by
Fresenius Medical Care ends the year with strong revenue growth
In the fourth quarter 2025, Group revenue remained stable compared to prior year (+
Care Delivery revenue decreased by
In Care Delivery
In Care Delivery International, revenue decreased by
Value-Based Care revenue significantly grew by
Care Enablement revenue decreased by
Within Inter-segment eliminations5, revenue for services provided and products transferred between the operating segments at fair market value came in at negative
In the full year 2025, Group revenue increased by
Strong earnings growth momentum and double-digit operating income margin
In the fourth quarter 2025, Group operating income more than doubled and increased by
Operating income in Care Delivery increased by
Operating income in Value-Based Care increased to
Operating income in Care Enablement decreased by
Operating income for Corporate amounted to a loss of
In the full year 2025, Group operating income increased by
Net income3 more than quadrupled compared to prior year (+
In the full year 2025, net income3 significantly increased by
Basic earnings per share (EPS) more than quadrupled compared to prior year (+
In the full year 2025, basic EPS increased by
Solid cash flow growth, net leverage ratio at low end of target corridor
In the fourth quarter 2025, operating cash flow increased by
During the quarter, the company closed the agreement to purchase its main production sites in
Free cash flow6 decreased by
Total net debt and lease liabilities were further reduced to
Patients, clinics and employees
As of December 31, 2025, Fresenius Medical Care treated 291,902 patients in 3,601 dialysis clinics worldwide and had 109,698 employees (headcount) globally.
Outlook 2026
In 2026, Fresenius Medical Care expects revenue growth to be broadly flat compared to prior year. The company expects operating income to remain on a consistent level, with a range between a positive and negative mid-single digit percent growth rate compared to prior year.
The expected growth rates for 2026 are at constant currency and excluding special items in operating income. The 2025 basis for the revenue outlook is
Aspirations 2028 and 2030
Fresenius Medical Care aspires operating income growth (CAGR) of between 3 and 7 percent between 2025 and 2028.
Fresenius Medical Care aspires revenue growth (CAGR) between 2025 and 2030 for Care Delivery to amount to a low- to mid-single digit percent rate and for Care Enablement to a mid-single digit percent rate.
The company confirms its 2030 aspiration to achieve an industry-leading mid-teens percent operating income margin for the Group, for Care Delivery and for Care Enablement as well as a low single-digit operating income margin for Value-Based Care.
The assumed growth rates are at constant currency and exclude special items. The assumed margins exclude special items in operating income.
Press conference
Fresenius Medical Care will host a virtual press conference to discuss the results of the fourth quarter and the full year 2025 today, February 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CET / 4:00 a.m. EST.
Investor conference call
Fresenius Medical Care will host a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss the results of the fourth quarter and full year 2025 today, February 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CET / 8:00 a.m. EST. Details are available on the Fresenius Medical Care website in the "Investors" section. A replay and a transcript will be available shortly after the call.
Please refer to our statement of earnings included at the end of this press release and to the attachments as separate PDF files for a complete overview of the results of the fourth quarter and full year 2025. Our form 20-F disclosure provides more details.
About Fresenius Medical Care:
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases of which around 4.5 million patients worldwide regularly undergo dialysis treatment. Through its network of 3,601 dialysis clinics, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatments for approx. 292,000 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the leading provider of dialysis products such as dialysis machines or dialyzers. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME) and on the New York Stock Exchange (FMS).
For more information visit the company's website at www.freseniusmedicalcare.com.
Disclaimer:
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, legal changes, regulatory approvals, results of clinical studies, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care's reports filed with the
____________________ | |
1 | At constant currency, adjusted for certain reconciling items including revenue from acquisitions, closed or sold operations and differences in dialysis days |
2 | Adjusted for special items; growth rate at constant currency (if not stated otherwise); for further details please see the reconciliation attached to the press release |
3 | Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG |
4 | Net income attributable to shareholders of FME AG excluding special items |
5 | The company transfers products from the Care Enablement segment to the Care Delivery segment at fair market value. Services provided by the Care Delivery segment for patients managed under the Value-Based Care segment are also provided at fair market value. The associated internal revenues and expenses and all other consolidation of transactions are included within "Inter-segment eliminations". |
6 | Net cash provided by / used in operating activities, after capital expenditures, before acquisitions, investments, and dividends |
Statement of earnings | ||||
Three months ended December 31, | ||||
in € million, except share data | 2025 | 2024 | Change | Change |
Revenue | 5,070 | 5,085 | -0.3 % | 7.1 % |
Costs of revenue | 3,681 | 3,814 | -3.5 % | 3.9 % |
Selling, general and administrative expense | 785 | 840 | -6.5 % | -0.6 % |
Research and development expense | 39 | 50 | -22.8 % | -20.6 % |
Income from equity method investees | (42) | (32) | 29.7 % | 29.9 % |
Other operating income | (131) | (228) | -42.5 % | -40.8 % |
Other operating expense | 144 | 382 | -62.3 % | -60.5 % |
Operating income | 594 | 259 | 129.4 % | 143.6 % |
Operating income excl. special items1 | 705 | 489 | 44.2 % | 52.9 % |
Interest expense, net | 85 | 80 | 7.0 % | 14.1 % |
Income before taxes | 509 | 179 | 183.9 % | 201.2 % |
Income tax expense | 106 | 61 | 74.5 % | 81.9 % |
Net income | 403 | 118 | 240.4 % | 262.8 % |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 76 | 51 | 46.3 % | 56.6 % |
Net income2 | 327 | 67 | 388.9 % | 420.8 % |
Net income2 excl. special items1 | 412 | 266 | 54.9 % | 63.9 % |
Weighted average number of shares | 285,906,303 | 293,413,449 | ||
Basic earnings per share | 401.8 % | 434.4 % | ||
Basic earnings per share excl. special items1 | 59.0 % | 68.2 % | ||
In percent of revenue | ||||
Operating income margin | 11.7 % | 5.1 % | ||
Operating income margin excl. special items1 | 13.9 % | 9.6 % | ||
1 For a reconciliation of special items, please refer to the table at the end of the press release. | ||||
2 Attributable to shareholders of FME AG. |
Statement of earnings | ||||
Twelve months ended December 31, | ||||
in € million, except share data | 2025 | 2024 | Change | Change |
Revenue | 19,628 | 19,336 | 1.5 % | 5.4 % |
Costs of revenue | 14,599 | 14,579 | 0.1 % | 4.1 % |
Selling, general and administrative expense | 3,033 | 3,143 | -3.5 % | -0.2 % |
Research and development expense | 158 | 183 | -13.9 % | -12.6 % |
Income from equity method investees | (181) | (135) | 34.5 % | 34.5 % |
Other operating income | (528) | (760) | -30.5 % | -29.4 % |
Other operating expense | 720 | 934 | -22.8 % | -21.0 % |
Operating income | 1,827 | 1,392 | 31.2 % | 35.6 % |
Operating income excl. special items1 | 2,212 | 1,797 | 23.1 % | 27.2 % |
Interest expense, net | 315 | 335 | -6.2 % | -3.1 % |
Income before taxes | 1,512 | 1,057 | 43.1 % | 47.9 % |
Income tax expense | 321 | 316 | 1.6 % | 4.4 % |
Net income | 1,191 | 741 | 60.8 % | 66.5 % |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 213 | 203 | 4.9 % | 9.4 % |
Net income2 | 978 | 538 | 81.9 % | 88.0 % |
Net income2 excl. special items1 | 1,248 | 903 | 38.2 % | 42.6 % |
Weighted average number of shares | 291,190,575 | 293,413,449 | ||
Basic earnings per share | 83.3 % | 89.4 % | ||
Basic earnings per share excl. special items1 | 39.3 % | 43.7 % | ||
In percent of revenue | ||||
Operating income margin | 9.3 % | 7.2 % | ||
Operating income margin excl. special items1 | 11.3 % | 9.3 % | ||
1 For a reconciliation of special items, please refer to the table at the end of the press release. | ||||
2 Attributable to shareholders of FME AG. |
Reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS Accounting | ||||
Three months ended | Twelve months ended | |||
in € million | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 |
Operating performance excl. special items | ||||
These items are excluded to ensure comparability of the figures presented | ||||
Revenue | 5,070 | 5,085 | 19,628 | 19,336 |
Operating income | 594 | 259 | 1,827 | 1,392 |
FME25+ Program1 | 73 | 73 | 194 | 180 |
Legacy Portfolio Optimization2 | 18 | 146 | 97 | 288 |
Legal Form Conversion Costs | 2 | 4 | 4 | 9 |
Humacyte Remeasurements | 18 | 7 | 90 | (72) |
Sum of special items: | 111 | 230 | 385 | 405 |
Operating income excl. special items | 705 | 489 | 2,212 | 1,797 |
Net income3 | 327 | 67 | 978 | 538 |
FME25+ Program1 | 54 | 53 | 143 | 130 |
Legacy Portfolio Optimization2 | 16 | 138 | 91 | 282 |
Legal Form Conversion Costs | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
Humacyte Remeasurements | 14 | 5 | 67 | (54) |
Interwell Health Deferred Tax Reversal4 | 0 | — | (34) | — |
Sum of special items: | 85 | 199 | 270 | 365 |
Net income3 excl. special items | 412 | 266 | 1,248 | 903 |
1 The FME25 Program was expanded by two years, the overall savings target increased and renamed to the FME25+ Program. | ||||
2 2025: mainly related to the completed divestitures in | ||||
3 Attributable to shareholders of FME AG. | ||||
4 Derecognition of certain deferred tax liabilities initially established in connection with the 2022 Interwell Health Transaction as a result of the settlement of Interwell Health put options. |
Media contact
Christine Peters
T +49 160 60 66 770
Christine.Peters@FreseniusMedicalCare.com
Contact for analysts and investors
Dr. Dominik Heger
T +49 6172 609 2525
Dominik.Heger@FreseniusMedicalCare.com
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SOURCE Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.