SHORT FORM ANNOUNCEMENT: REVIEWED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 AND UPDATED BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Rhea-AI Summary
Sasol (JSE:SSL) reported H1 FY26 results for the six months ended 31 December 2025: turnover R122.4 billion, Adjusted EBITDA R21.0 billion (down 12%), EBIT R4.6 billion (down 52%), and HEPS R9.27 (down 34%).
Capital expenditure fell to R8.5 billion (down 43%), free cash flow improved to R0.8 billion (more than 100% improvement) and net debt was R63.3 billion (US$3.8bn). Secunda production rose ~10%. FY26 hedging complete; FY27 hedging underway. No interim dividend declared due to net debt above the US$3.0bn policy threshold.
Positive
- Free cash flow improved to R0.8 billion (>100% change)
- Capital expenditure reduced by 43% to R8.5 billion
- Secunda Operations production volumes +10%
- Liquidity maintained at above US$4 billion
Negative
- EBIT declined 52% to R4.6 billion
- Headline EPS down 34% to R9.27
- Adjusted EBITDA down 12% to R21.0 billion
- Net debt at US$3.8bn, above dividend trigger
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SSL slipped 1.24% while key Specialty Chemicals peers showed mixed, low-magnitude moves (e.g., CBT +1.12%, BCPC -1.78%, SXT -0.21%). This points to a stock-specific reaction to its H1 FY26 results rather than a coordinated sector move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 | FY2025 results | Positive | +11.0% | FY2025 showed higher HEPS and free cash flow despite prior headwinds. |
| Feb 24 | H1 2024 results | Negative | +3.5% | Interim 2024 results showed revenue, EBITDA and EPS declines with impairments. |
| Aug 20 | FY2024 results | Negative | -4.4% | FY2024 featured large impairments and loss before interest and tax. |
| Feb 26 | H1 2023 results | Neutral | -4.0% | Reviewed interim financial results for six months ended 31 Dec 2023. |
Earnings releases have often produced sizable moves, with positive reactions even to mixed results and occasional selloffs on weaker prints.
Over the past two years, Sasol’s earnings events have reflected volatile fundamentals and market responses. FY2024 results on Aug 20, 2024 highlighted large impairments and generated a -4.37% move. By Feb 24, 2025, interim 2024 results remained challenging, yet the stock rose 3.45%, showing some divergence. FY2025 results on Aug 25, 2025 showed sharply improved HEPS and free cash flow, with a strong +10.97% reaction. Another interim earnings release on Feb 26, 2024 also drew a negative response. Today’s H1 FY26 release fits into this pattern of earnings-driven repricing and ongoing balance sheet focus.
Historical Comparison
In the last four earnings releases, SSL’s average move was 1.51%. Today’s -1.24% reaction to H1 FY26 results sits within this historical volatility range.
Earnings history shows a shift from heavy FY2024 impairments and losses to improved FY2025 HEPS and free cash flow, followed by H1 FY26 pressure from lower commodity prices and fresh impairments while debt and cash metrics continue to be managed.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement combines weaker profitability with improved cash discipline. For H1 FY26, Adjusted EBITDA fell to R21,006 million and basic EPS dropped to R0,38, while free cash flow turned positive at R794 million and capex declined to R8,495 million. Net debt excluding leases edged down to R63,269 million. Investors may focus on future earnings releases, progress on cost and capex optimisation, and delivery against updated International Chemicals EBITDA and group capex guidance.
Key Terms
adjusted ebitda financial
free cash flow financial
net debt financial
net asset value financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Highlights:
- Turnover of R122,4 billion remained flat compared to prior period, supported by
3% increase in sales volumes and despite the softer macro environment - Secunda Operations' (SO) production volumes
10% higher - Lower cash fixed cost compared to the prior period, reflecting disciplined cost management
- Adjusted EBITDA of R21,0 billion,
12% lower than the prior period - Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of R4,6 billion,
52% lower than the prior period - Headline earnings per share (HEPS) of R9,27 per share,
34% lower than the prior period - Capital expenditure of R8,5 billion,
43% lower than the prior period - Free cash flow improvement to R0,8 billion, more than
100% change from the prior period - Net debt (excluding leases) of R63,3 billion (
US ), representing a net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1,6 times$3 ,8 billion - FY26 hedging programme concluded, with FY27 hedging programme underway
Statement by Simon Baloyi, Chief Executive Officer of Sasol:
"We are showing consistent progress in the implementation of our strategic initiatives as set out in our Capital Markets Day plan. This is strengthening our foundation business, helping us to mitigate ongoing global market volatility and macroeconomic headwinds, building resilience for the future.
Safety remains our foremost value, and we endeavour to send everyone home safely each day. Unfortunately, we did not, as we lost one of our team members in September 2025. While this loss weighs heavily on us, we are seeing an encouraging improvement in key leading safety indicators. Our commitment to safety remains unwavering as we continue to embed learnings and reinforce a strong safety culture across the business.
In the
The International Chemicals reset strategy is progressing, although market conditions were weaker than anticipated with lower US ethylene margins and muted market demand. We have made good progress on lowering our cost base, which supported a
The Group generated positive free cash flow in the first half of the financial year for the first time in four years, despite the challenging macro environment. This was supported by the higher sales volumes, lower cash fixed costs and lower capital expenditure. Importantly, this has been achieved without compromising asset integrity and safety.
The balance sheet remains a focus area with robust liquidity in place while we continue to hedge proactively to manage downside risk.
We continue to advance our Grow and Transform strategy. We have secured an additional 300 megawatt (MW) of renewable energy, increasing total secured capacity in
Our priorities are clear: safe, reliable operations; disciplined cost and capital management; proactive risk management; and improved cash generation. Consistent execution in these areas is strengthening resilience and positioning Sasol to deliver sustainable shareholder value."
Financial performance
Sasol continued to make progress on factors within its control despite a challenging macro environment. Lower cost and capital expenditure supported positive free cash flow generation in the period.
Adjusted EBITDA of R21,0 billion was
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of R4,6 billion was
As a result of the above, basic earnings per share (EPS) decreased by
Cash generated by operating activities of R11,6 billion declined
Liquidity remains robust at above
Total debt decreased to R93,5 billion (
Net debt (excluding leases) ended at R63,3 billion (
We continue to execute our hedging strategy, with the FY26 programme complete and the FY27 hedging programme underway. During the period, foreign exchange translation losses were largely offset by gains on derivative instruments. Given the prevailing market conditions, a broader range of hedging instruments has been utilised to maintain downside protection.
Key metrics
Half year | Half year | Change % | |
Turnover (R million) | 122 387 | 122 102 | - |
Adjusted EBITDA1 (R million) | 21 006 | 23 949 | (12) |
EBIT (R million) | 4 619 | 9 533 | (52) |
Basic earnings per share (Rand) | 0,38 | 7,22 | (95) |
Headline earnings per share (Rand) | 9,27 | 14,13 | (34) |
Capital expenditure (R million) | 8 495 | 15 007 | (43) |
Free cash flow2 (R million) | 794 | (1 296) | >100 |
Net debt (excluding leases)3 (R million) | 63 269 | 64 964 | 3 |
1 Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adjusting operating profit for depreciation, amortisation, share-based payments, remeasurement items, change in discount rates of our rehabilitation provisions, all unrealised translation gains and losses, and all unrealised gains and losses on our derivatives and hedging activities. | |||
2 Free cash flow is defined as cash available from operating activities less first order capital and related capital accruals. | |||
3 Comparative number is as at 30 June 2025. | |||
Net asset value | Half year | Full year | Change % |
Total assets (R million) | 339 707 | 359 555 | (6) |
Total liabilities (R million) | 183 010 | 201 944 | 9 |
Total equity (R million) | 156 697 | 157 611 | (1) |
Turnover | EBIT/(LBIT)1 | |||
Half year | Half year | Half year | Half year | |
R million | R million | R million | R million | |
Southern Africa Energy and | ||||
14 744 | 15 347 | Mining | 2 138 | 2 291 |
6 342 | 6 591 | Gas | (811) | 3 925 |
52 046 | 48 845 | Fuels | 3 082 | (998) |
28 917 | 30 748 | Chemicals | (293) | 3 469 |
International Chemicals | ||||
19 010 | 19 724 | America | 550 | 657 |
20 932 | 19 921 | Eurasia | 255 | (136) |
- | - | Business Support | (302) | 325 |
141 991 | 141 176 | Group performance | 4 619 | 9 533 |
(19 604) | (19 074) | Intersegmental turnover | ||
122 387 | 122 102 | External turnover | ||
1 Loss before interest and tax | ||||
Dividend
The Company's dividend policy is based on
Updated business outlook
The Group remains on track to achieve its previously communicated guidance, with the following revisions:
- Capital expenditure expected to be between R22 - R24 billion, R2 billion lower than the previous guidance of R24 - R26 billion due to ongoing capital optimisation initiatives; and
- International Chemicals Adjusted EBITDA is revised lower to
US to$375 US , (previously$450 million US to -$450 US ) and Adjusted EBITDA margin$550 million 8% to10% (previously10% to13% ). This is due to a combination of weaker macroeconomic assumptions, softer market conditions and the unplanned Louisiana Integrated Polyethylene JV LLC ethylene cracker outage in Q2FY26. Self-help measures continue to be progressed.
The operating environment is expected to remain challenging, given heightened geopolitical tensions, evolving global trade dynamics and continued softness in certain end markets impacting financial performance. Our focus on safe and reliable operations and realising more value from our self-help initiatives will enable stronger free cash flow generation, deleveraging and sustainable value for our stakeholders.
The information contained in this paragraph has not been reviewed or reported on by Sasol's auditors. More details on our financial year 2026 outlook is available in our Interim results presentation available on the Company´s website at www.sasol.com, under the Investor Centre section: https://www.sasol.com/investor-centre/financial-results
Short-form statement
This announcement has been prepared in compliance with the JSE Listings Requirements and is the responsibility of the Board and is only a summary of the information in Sasol Limited's condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 31 December 2025. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been reviewed by Sasol's external auditors, KPMG, who expressed an unmodified review conclusion thereon. Financial figures in this announcement have been correctly extracted from the condensed consolidated interim financial statements. The information in this announcement has not been reviewed and reported on by Sasol Limited's external auditors.
Any investment decision should also take into consideration the information contained in the full condensed consolidated interim financial statements, published on SENS on 23 February 2026, via the JSE link. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements, including KPMG's unmodified review conclusion, are available through a secure electronic manner at the election of the person requesting inspection, and have been published and can be found on the company's website, https://www.sasol.com/index.php/investor-centre/financial-results, and can also be viewed on the JSE link, https://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2026/JSE/ISSE/SOL/HY26Result.pdf
Important information
Sasol will present its interim financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2025 on Monday, 23 February 2026 at 11h00 (SA time). This will be followed by a market call, hosted by the President and Chief Executive Officer, Simon Baloyi, and Chief Financial Officer, Walt Bruns, to address questions.
Please connect to the call via the webcast link: https://www.corpcam.com/Sasol23022026
or via teleconference call link: https://services.choruscall.eu/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=3605690&linkSecurityString=89ae33f44
A recording of the presentation will be available on the website thereafter at https://www.sasol.com/investor-centre/financial-results.
For further information, please contact:
Sasol Investor Relations
Tiffany Sydow, VP Investor Relations
Telephone: +27 (0) 71 673 1929
Email: investor.relations@sasol.com
Website : https://www.sasol.com/investor-centre/financial-results.
Disclaimer - Forward-looking statements
Sasol may, in this document, make certain statements that are not historical facts, based on management's current views and assumptions, and which are conditioned upon and also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated by such statements. Should one or more of these risks materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the capital cost of our projects and the timing of project milestones; our ability to obtain financing to meet the funding requirements of our capital investment programme, as well as to fund our ongoing business activities and to pay dividends; statements regarding our future results of operations and financial condition, and regarding future economic performance including cost containment, cash conservation programmes and business optimisation initiatives; our business strategy, performance outlook, plans, objectives or goals; statements regarding future competition, volume growth and changes in market share in the industries and markets for our products; our existing or anticipated investments, acquisitions of new businesses or the disposal of existing businesses, including estimates or projection of internal rates of return and future profitability; our estimated oil, gas and coal reserves; the probable future outcome of litigation, legislative, regulatory and fiscal developments, including statements regarding our ability to comply with future laws and regulations; future fluctuations in refining margins and crude oil, natural gas and petroleum and chemical product prices; the demand, pricing and cyclicality of oil, gas and petrochemical products; changes in the fuel and gas pricing mechanisms in
Words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could", "may", "endeavour", "target", "forecast" and "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there are risks that the predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties are discussed more fully in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed on 29 August 2025 and in other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The list of factors discussed therein is not exhaustive; when relying on forward-looking statements to make investment decisions, you should carefully consider both the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events, and you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements apply only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Please note: One billion is defined as one thousand million, bbl – barrel, bscf – billion standard cubic feet, mmscf – million standard cubic feet, oil references Brent crude, mmboe – million barrels oil equivalent. All references to years refer to the financial year ending 30 June. Any reference to a calendar year is prefaced by the word "calendar".
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SOURCE Sasol Limited