United Internet AG reported a successful first nine months of 2026, with growth in customer contracts, sales, and operating earnings, and confirmed its full-year guidance. The German internet specialist added 770,000 fee-based customer contracts in the period, bringing its total to 30.49 million. Of this, 690,000 net additions came from the IONOS segment and 300,000 from Mail & Media, while the 1&1 segment lost 220,000 contracts due to a realignment of its discount tariff portfolio in April.
Consolidated sales rose 3.0% to EUR 4,638.3 million, up from EUR 4,502.2 million in the prior-year period. Operating EBITDA increased 10.0% to EUR 1,062.8 million, and operating EBIT jumped 25.4% to EUR 555.7 million. The company said the strong EBIT increase was driven by higher EBITDA and lower depreciation and amortization. However, third-quarter earnings were impacted by one-off expenses totaling EUR 61.3 million from transformation and restructuring programs at 1&1 Versatel and IONOS. After accounting for these costs, operating earnings per share from continued operations improved to EUR 1.04, compared with EUR 0.75 in the prior year.
Cash capex for the nine-month period amounted to EUR -453.8 million, down from EUR -488.0 million a year earlier. The company confirmed its 2026 guidance, expecting sales to rise to approximately EUR 6.25 billion and operating EBITDA to reach about EUR 1.45 billion. Cash capex is projected at EUR 600-650 million. An overview of all key figures and the Quarterly Statement Q3 2026 are available at www.united-internet.de/en in the Investor Relations section.
The results underscore United Internet's ability to grow its core customer base and profitability despite deliberate portfolio adjustments in its 1&1 segment. The confirmation of guidance signals management confidence in the company's strategy, which could reassure investors and stakeholders. With over 30 million fee-based contracts and 38 million ad-financed free accounts, United Internet remains a leading European internet specialist, employing around 10,200 people across brands such as 1&1, IONOS, STRATO, GMX, and WEB.DE.
The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
