Palfinger AG (VIE:PAL)
Austria flag Austria · Delayed Price · Currency is EUR
34.90
+0.60 (1.75%)
May 5, 2026, 5:35 PM CET
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Earnings Call: Q1 2026

Apr 28, 2026

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Palfinger IR Call Earnings Release Q1 2026. I am Myra, the Chorus Call operator. I would like to remind you that all participants will be in listen-only mode, and the conference is being recorded. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. You can register for questions at any time by pressing star and one on your telephone. For operator assistance, please press star and zero. The conference must not be recorded for publication or broadcast. At this time, it's my pleasure to hand over to Andreas Klauser, CEO. Please go ahead, sir.

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

Yes. Good morning, everybody, and thanks for joining the call. I'm very happy to present here our Q1 results, and you will see later on why we are really quite proud of it. Where do we come from? I think just from memory here, EUR 2.34 billion revenue in 2025. The third best year in the history of Palfinger. Again, you will see later on, we are aiming for that. Why is this happening? Through our strong global presence. This means in terms of engineering and technology, in terms of our solid and strong sales and service network, 30 production sites worldwide, and very well motivated 12,000 employees. If we go to the next slide. I think here it's clear to us and very well understood about our equity story.

We presented this already several times, but I just wanted to remind you where we are coming from and what does Palfinger mean. We are a true global technology company. Again, year-over-year growth in revenue and EBIT. This has proven that not only the equity story is right as well, the business model fits very well for our customers and for our dealers. The equity story means that, we are technology leader. We are aiming for growth. Here, I think the areas are clearly identified. We are very resilient. I think also something, especially in these days, usually it's forgotten, but considering results, we are seeing here, this is proven and great results and great earnings potential. I think this is well something especially for our investor side, can be quite interesting. If you move to the next slide.

Yes, we are resilient, and this is based on our strong and solid industry diversity. Here you see the impact by the different industries kicking into our business. Still 18% infrastructure, but as everybody knows here, this is still something which is further growing. The government not only in Europe are really supporting and subsidizing infrastructure. It's not only about roads, it's about railway, it's about infrastructure, everything. This is still a quite solid base. On the other hand, our Marine business here, we're talking about shipbuilding, but as well the services which are coming along. Not to forget about the transport and logistics. On the fourth level, building construction. Here you see that we are not that much depending as well on private housing, which is still somehow in a trend which is not fully recovering.

If you go to the next slide. Yes, we are having the proper solutions for all our customer needs. The classical land side, 8 different solutions we are providing. Six here on the Marine side. As well here, no further consolidation. We stick to our plan, and it is very much appreciated both by our customers and our dealers, that we are having a solid solution provider in terms of products and solutions. If you go to the next slide. Quite important here. You've seen already, or some of you have seen already, when we presented Reach Higher, our Strategy 2030+, which we redid last year, which was very well perceived by the marketplace, by investors, but as well by our customers and dealers. Which has more or less 3 pillars, is lifting customer value.

This means really staying close to our customer requirements, customer satisfaction, not only in terms of products and solutions, but as well in terms of services. Very quite important, the balanced profitable growth. Here to make sure not just shooting for profitability, not just shooting for volume, to have the proper balance and to make sure that as well, businesses like service and spare parts, but as well the Aerial Work Platform is kicking in and this is in the focus. As well, execution excellence. This means making sure that we walk the talk. This means focusing on supply chain optimization and as well process system and data optimization. In total, we are identifying or we identified 18 programs, and if anybody is interested still to learn more about it, just watch our website and you can see more about it. Yeah.

What does this mean? If you move to the next slide. In terms of where are the main drivers coming from. Before we have shown and seen the different industries, here we are seeing the main drivers. The main drivers for our growth, as you said, and as I mentioned already before, a big portion is service and spare parts. As well, the expected recovery in EMEA, which we are partially seeing despite maybe Germany, but still, I would say Iberia, Spain, Portugal is recovering. Italy is holding up quite strong and, as well Portugal. As you see here as well, an important part is AWP, the Aerial Work Platform, and all the other businesses as well is mentioned here. If you move to the next slide, and here I'm talking about our Q1 2026 highlights.

I think this already shows and proves that we walk the talk as well in terms of profitable growth and volume. Here we managed to increase our revenue to EUR 561.5 million. The EBIT as well further increased to EUR 41.3 million and our net result even more important, EUR 24.6 million. This means more than 11% in terms of growth year-over-year. If you consider this maybe with some other fellows in the industry in terms of benchmark, the entire machinery industry or whatever, I think we can be very proud of it. Felix will further explain what does this mean and where his numbers are coming from.

As well, coming back into the ATX here in Austria, important show in the United States, the CONEXPO, which is similar to the Bauma in Europe, where we were quite successful in terms of leads, in terms of presenting ourselves. Not to forget about our collaboration with ICON. Here we are talking about 3D printing with Palfinger lifting solutions, which is as well a major milestone moving forward. Talking about the CONEXPO in 2026. Yes, this is the largest construction trade show in the world, not only in U.S., in the world in 2026. Last year, we had the bauma in Munich. It takes place in U.S., in Las Vegas. We had more than 140,000 registered visitors overall and 33,500 people on our booth.

This is quite significant then as well, in terms of leads, we got a very strong leads, very strong requirements in terms of customers joining us, seeing us, and asking for quotations and even closing some deals here. On the next slide, a little bit of further-

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, please hold the line. The connection with the speakers has been lost. The conference will continue shortly. The speaker line is back.

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

Okay. Yeah. Sorry, guys, for this interruption. I think there were maybe too many good news here from [Bergheim Salzburg] that the line couldn't digest it. I apologize. Yeah, talking about ICON, a strong technology partner here, based in Austin, Texas, which employs more than 400 people and is focusing here on robot-assisted 3D printing, which is quite unique in the industry and where Palfinger is here the major contributor in terms of technology. Saying this now we are coming to the part where Felix Strohbichler, our CFO, will further explain and talk about the numbers before then I am coming to the outlook. Please, Felix, go ahead.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Thank you, Andreas. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As you know, probably we are steering the company in three segments. First of all, the segment sales and service, which includes, as the name says, all service and sales activities for our products and solutions, except manufacturing for third parties. If you look at the next slide, you can see the market developments in the several regions, and these were obviously not in one direction only. On the one hand, we saw improved market environment in EMEA, except for Germany, Austria, and France. Southern Europe, as Andreas Klauser already mentioned, and Northern Europe performed quite well. Also in the Middle East, the situation, despite of the war, was actually quite okay. In total, we saw a significantly higher revenue and even more importantly, significantly higher earnings from EMEA in the first quarter.

In North America, we still see, of course, that the geopolitical tensions, the war in Iran, the tariff policies slowed down customers decisions. This resulted again in lower demand and also in a lower profitability for the region, North America. Going to Latin America, we could show some slight growth despite of the fact that we see now a declining demand in Brazil. Moving on to APAC, India is still the growth driver in the region, even if there is a certain impact now from the war in the Middle East. The Chinese market remains soft. A little movement, but not really a recovery. Coming to Marine. Marine was the second very strong pillar in the first quarter next to EMEA. Outstanding performance, driven by major orders from wind, offshore cranes, and the cruise ship sectors.

The outlook for the rest of the year in Marine is, again, also positive. Last but not least, CIS, another drop in revenue and earnings due to the fact that the overall economic situation in Russia as a consequence of the sanctions is really difficult. What does this mean in terms of numbers? An increase of 2.2% in external revenue to EUR 506 million. EBIT went down by 12% to EUR 46.6 million to an EBIT margin of 9.2%. Please keep in mind that the EBIT lines in all three segments are impacted by intercompany transfer pricing and also intercompany service charges. It's always a little bit difficult to compare periods against the latest period simply due to ongoing changes in intercompany invoicing and service charges.

If you go to the order book level, this is a very positive line because despite of a slight decrease of 3% compared to the end of Q1 2025, we actually had an increase of EUR 65 million compared to the end of the year 2025, despite of high output. The service revenue share is 2% lower than in the first quarter 2024. We have a clear plan to catch up here in the coming quarters. Moving on to the segment operations, which includes all manufacturing and assembly activities of Palfinger. On the one hand, in Europe, we have seen a strong demand, as already mentioned before, due to the better market environment, and this also led to a high utilization, especially for loader cranes and hook loaders.

In the U.S., on the other hand, the subdued demand also led to a lower capacity utilization, and the same is true in CIS. Due to the difficult economic situation, there is also persistently low utilization of our plants. If you go to the numbers of the segment operations, let's focus on the external revenue. As I said already, EBIT is impacted always by transfer pricing. You see here a slight improvement of 6% in production for third parties, but compared to levels we have seen in 2022, 2023, this is still far below what we have already experienced in the past. This reflects still a relatively difficult market environment for many players in related industries who are our customers in this activity.

Coming to the third and last segment, other non-reportable segments, which includes, on the one hand, strategic projects on group level, but also the Tail Lifts division, which has been carved out a few years ago. If you look at the external revenue, this obviously reflects the development of the Tail Lifts business. As we are mainly active in the core markets, Germany and the U.S., which are still difficult and not recovering, the revenue has declined by 18.3% to 18.8%. Again, if you look at the EBIT line, you see a slight improvement. Again, this is also due to the fact that we have invoiced more services to the other segments. Coming now to the Palfinger Group.

As Andreas Klauser already mentioned, revenue increased by 1.6% to EUR 561.5 million, which means that the EBIT margin has improved slightly to 7.4%, over proportionally by +3%. What is of course the most important KPI is the consolidated net result, which has improved by almost 12% to EUR 24.6 million. The further down we go, the P&L, the better it gets over proportional growth in profitability. On the right side of the chart, you see the revenue distribution by region in the first quarter. Due to the fact that North America and CIS have been difficult, you see an increasing market or increasing revenue share of EMEA, which has gone up to 64%. North America is at 22%. APAC and LATAM at 5%, respectively 6%.

CIS, in the meantime, is only accounting for 3% of the group revenue. Coming to our free cash flow. In the first quarter, we still recorded a negative free cash flow of EUR 19.2 million. This is mainly two reasons. On the one hand, the investing activities have been relatively high, at least significantly higher than in the first quarter of last year. More importantly, we had an impact from changing working capital, so there was a certain buildup of inventory, mainly in the first quarter, which will be reversed in the coming quarters. We, of course, maintain our free cash flow target of more than EUR 100 million for the full year 2026. Coming now to our balance sheet.

You have already seen at the year-end a massive improvement in our balance sheet ratios, and this is of course the same now if we compare Q1 2025 to Q1 2026. Equity ratio has gone up by 7.2% to 43.8%. Gearing is at almost 52%, and ROCE is at 9.5%. The balance sheet is extremely solid. EUR 950 million of equity. Net debt/EBITDA at the extremely healthy level of 1.8. This also, of course, is reflected in our net financial debt, which has come down by around EUR 150 million compared to the first quarter of 2025. Now we have a net debt level of EUR 491.5 million.

Our financing is very solid long-term, 3.24 years remaining term. The average debt has gone up slightly. Also due to the fact that we had to pay back last year some attractive variable financing that we had excess cash also following the sale of treasury shares. With this, I would like to hand back to Andreas Klauser for the outlook.

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

Yeah. Thank you, Felix. I think no doubt a very strong start, and we are aiming for the same for the half year, so we will be slightly above prior year. This is what is expected for the first half of 2026. More we will then disclose later on in our half year call about the full year. As well, quite important here that we are aiming as well to have in terms of revenue and EBIT above previous years. In the second half of 2026, this should amount as well to another successful entire year. The goal is as well to have one of the most successful years in the company's history.

I think this is well quite important for you guys, being the investors, understanding that we are not just protecting our turf, that we as well aiming to further grow. Yes, this is certainly subject to certain developments we see, especially for 2027. Here, I think, further based on the recovery which is expected from Germany, we are not really seeing this so far, but as well what we are getting here out of the marketplace, the tools and all the relevant environment is now provided that we can do so. As well, on the other hand, the upswing in U.S., where we, for example, on truck-mounted forklifts, we already see some positive trends and movements which we materialize latest then in 2027. If you go to the next slide, our financial target did not change.

The financial target for 2030, the EUR 3 billion in terms of revenue, 15% ROCE, 12% EBIT margin, and as well, quite important, remaining and further building our number one position for crane and lifting solutions in the entire industry. Here, looking into the marketplace, not only talking about CONEXPO for U.S., we can clearly see that this is happening. I think it's also important, if you go to the next slide, to see some real examples, in terms of opportunities, which we have ahead of us. There is the overall investment in Germany, which is, still announced and not fully kicking in. The infrastructure investment gap, we are talking here between EUR 500 billion and EUR 800 billion a year.

Not to forget about the U.S. target project with EUR 500 billion and as well at a certain point in time of reconstruction of Ukraine. This is not yet built into our business plan. You can clearly see here the potential is huge. We are quite confident that we are getting a certain kind of portion of this business, which is upcoming in the next couple of years. At this point in time, I want to say thank you for your attention and sorry for the short interruption here, but I think there was too many good news to digest, and I'm handing back to the operator. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you, sir. We will now begin the question and answer session. Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press Star and one on their telephone. You will hear a tone to confirm that you have entered the queue. If you wish to remove yourself from the question queue, you may press star and two. Questioners on the phone are requested to disable the loudspeaker mode. Anyone who has a question may press star and one at this time. The first question comes from the line of Markus Remis from ODDO BHF. Please go ahead.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Yeah. Good morning, gents. Congrats to the numbers and a few questions from my side. Firstly, on the guidance in the full year results call, it was mentioned that in the first half you expect EBIT growth to be actually under proportionate compared to the top line growth. I'm wondering if that is still the case and also if you can put into perspective the second half year guidance, what it means for the margin. Should the margin go up slightly or is there a possibility that it will be rather flattish or even slightly down if earnings are growing under proportionately? That would be the first one.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Perhaps let me come to the guidance for the first half year. Our expectation in terms of EBIT margin has slightly improved. Last time I said it's probably the same or eventually a slightly lower EBIT margin at the higher level of revenue. From this perspective, we believe that the EBIT margin will be on the same or on a slightly higher level compared to the previous year. This is a slight improvement in terms of EBIT margin expectation for the first half year. For the second half year, we do expect this development to continue. We expect also for the second half year revenue and EBIT above previous year's level. Of course, if revenue goes up, typically this also helps with the EBIT margin.

I would not expect a huge increase in EBIT margin, but there should be a slight increase.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Okay. The kind of improvement in the first half margin profile, is that a mix effect or is it more coming from the cost side? Can you elaborate a bit on that?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Well, what we can see is that in the first quarter, we still had positive impacts also in terms of, material costs, so steel costs, et cetera. We are still on a reasonable level in the first quarter. Now, the war in Ukraine, and not only this, also some improvements in certain areas lead to higher costs from suppliers, raw material, which will kick in the remainder of the year. This will put some pressure. Of course, we will also react with price increases to a certain extent. Not all of this will kick in, but of course, there are several impacts in the first quarter which help. It's material cost, but it's also mix. It was mentioned, for example, that especially cranes in EMEA has been very strong.

Of course, this is one of the best contributors, so to say, in terms of EBIT margin, and the same is true for Marine. The two strong contributors, Marine and EMEA, are actually, in terms of profit margin, also very good contributors.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Okay. Very clear. Thank you. On kind of the order or demand trends that you're currently seeing, can you outline kind of the momentum in April and the perception you currently have for the second quarter as you point out, it will be also kind of the decisive part whether 2027 is going to go into the EUR 2.7 billion direction.

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

No, clearly, I think, in terms of business intake, order intake, we are getting some orders, further orders here on the defense side. As I said, unfortunately, we can't really disclose here too much. You will understand for different obvious reasons. Defense side is kicking in very well, which is leading as well into some further shipments next year already. The same on the Marine side. Germany, as I said, is still in a recovery phase, but we can see now that our customers, like the major construction companies, are getting deals awarded in terms of infrastructure. There we see some movement, but very solid already, as I mentioned, Spain, Italy, where the order intake is quite strong, and as well, some major deals are coming back from North America.

I'm quite confident that we will see a further positive trend for the entire year of 2026, but as well, 2027.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Would you expect the Q2 order intake to be above Q1?

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

Could be slightly above Q1, yes. Not only for the second half of the year. It might already start now in Q2 because we are working on some major deals which should kick in sooner than later.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Okay. Very clear. Thank you. One question regarding the U.S. Can you outline the impact that you've penciled in into your guidance regarding the U.S. tariffs? I think the narrative would be that there is some pent-up demand waiting on the sidelines, but for all these obvious reasons, political noise, et cetera, it's not materializing. I mean, how long can this situation prevail? I mean, this uncertainty is there for quite some quarters, arguably. Do you think that there is a kind of an unwinding of this pent-up demand to be expected anytime soon?

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

No. First of all, I think there are no North Americans here on the call because they see it a little bit from a different angle. North America is maybe not that fragile as we think on one hand side. On the other hand, yes, people are hesitating and seeing if tariffs are moving, going down, whatever, and in their business decisions. We are currently working on a bigger deal closing again on truck-mounted forklift, a significant number. Here, these guys are investing. They have their investment plans, and they don't care too much about politics at the moment, luckily. The smaller ones, yes. The smaller ones are still hesitating.

There are still huge demand, and we have clearly seen it at the CONEXPO here in Las Vegas, that the requirements, the interest for quotes is there. This means business is sitting there. The decision-making process, and here I fully agree with you, is a bit more complicated and delayed. They are postponing because they might see a further recovery not in terms of business, but in terms of tariffs. Most of it we can offset because our local footprint we have in North America, the three plants, and as well, the USMCA agreement, which is still helping in terms of Canadian production assembly. There, we don't see too critical. We still have, let's say here, a task force in place always on a weekly basis, identifying which kind of moves can be done.

I'm looking now to Felix, and I think now in the numbers looking forward, this is fully embedded, and I would even expect a further upswing and positive drive in terms of related to the current situation.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Yeah, of course, the tariff situation in the U.S. based on the current tariff regime is fully embedded in our guidance. This is clear. Of course, there is still a certain impact, not so much from the country tariffs. The major impact is clearly Section 232.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Okay. Kind of the earnings burden, would you be willing to share that?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Well.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

less than in 2025?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Well, as in 2025, we saw a steadily increasing level of tariffs. You cannot just compare it year-over-year. Compared to the last year, probably the impact will be on a similar level, despite of the fact that in total it's substantially more. Of course, with price increases, it's somehow compensated to a certain extent. Also with footprint measures. There are also some measures in place to mitigate the impact, but it will still be a double-digit million amount, a lower double-digit million amount, which will be the impact in 2026 in our PNL.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Okay. Thank you very much.

Operator

The next question comes from Daniel Lion from Erste Group. Please go ahead.

Daniel Lion
CEE Equity Research Analyst, Erste Group

Yeah, good morning. Thanks for letting me on. I would like to continue a little bit on the outlook and order backlog. What would be a level that you need to reach now, the half year or maybe by the end of the year, in order to make sure that fiscal 2027 guidance is or can be met?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

What-

Daniel Lion
CEE Equity Research Analyst, Erste Group

I'm talking about maybe. Yeah.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Yeah. What we would need is a level of EUR 200 million of order intake, on average in every single month. This is what is required. Obviously, if you multiply by 12, it's a level which comes close to the EUR 2.7 billion. This is actually what we need in order to take the decision to really ramp up the capacities to a level that allows us in 2027 to produce at this output level.

Daniel Lion
CEE Equity Research Analyst, Erste Group

2:20. This doesn't sound that you're so far away from such a level.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

220 is still significantly more than we have seen. In the end, we had some months where we were at the 220, but we need it on an average basis. This is not where we are at the moment.

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

For the first half we have nearly fully covered. I think as well this, we can disclose here, the first half is already relatively safe here as well in terms of just materializing the deals and making the proper shipments. Yes, it is for sure a challenge. I think what we are seeing now, in the office reach out in the marketplace, the hit rate we have, we are still confident that we get there.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

We will communicate, as already announced, when we talked about our financial year 2025 a few weeks ago, that we would communicate at the latest end of July when we talk about the half year result, if we can maintain or if we can confirm the 2027 targets and what will be required to get there is around EUR 650 million of order intake in the second quarter. I think this is what you were asking for.

Daniel Lion
CEE Equity Research Analyst, Erste Group

Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Just have something to hold on. Regarding, especially in Germany, why are companies hesitant when they see first infrastructure projects being awarded already? What's the feedback you're receiving? Why demand is not picking up stronger yet?

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

I mean, we have seen an anticipation already last year, to be honest, when the announcement was taken. Some of our customers decided to be prepared here for this upswing, but then the funds were not really released, so it was a little bit of a delay. Now they were a little bit cautious for further orders. One portion, I would say one-third, was already covered with a good order intake last year, which we are still providing to the marketplace Germany this year. For the other thirds, they are still a little bit hesitating and waiting, but this is coming.

I mean, I think, there's no question that these projects will take place, whatever the amount will be, and this will be a further boost, and that's the reason as well, why we are ready in terms of capacity, in the plant, in our operation, that we can do so.

Daniel Lion
CEE Equity Research Analyst, Erste Group

Okay.

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

Does that make sense?

Daniel Lion
CEE Equity Research Analyst, Erste Group

Yeah. Sounds good. Then maybe last one for the time being. Are you thinking to align CapEx or is it too early to think about it, depending on the development of order intake in the course of the year? Or are you actually sure to invest some EUR 120 million-EUR 130 million this year?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Our CapEx plans are actually based on a long-term strategy. Of course, if things would really turn bad, what we don't see for the time being, we always have the possibility to cut back and to reduce the CapEx level to a certain extent. However, for the time being, we clearly see that we will push the implementation of our 2030+ strategy, which includes the investments in sales and service, which includes the buildup of the factory in India, and which also includes the footprint optimization we have in mind for Europe. If the situation is slightly better or stable, we'll not change dramatically our CapEx plan. Only if things would really go south, of course, we would adapt.

Daniel Lion
CEE Equity Research Analyst, Erste Group

Okay. Perfect. Thank you very much.

Operator

As a reminder, if you wish to register for a question, please press star one on your telephone. The next question comes from the line of Lars Vom-Cleff from Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead.

Lars Vom-Cleff
Research Analyst, Deutsche Bank

Thank you very much. Good morning. Lars Vom-Cleff , Deutsche Bank. Two quick follow-up questions, if I may. In order to get a better feeling for your operating leverage, I mean, consensus currently is expecting 4% sales growth, 11% EBIT growth. You indicated that a slight relative profitability improvement could be possible this year. Does the current consensus sound reasonable, or do you still regard it as a bit too optimistic with regards to your operating leverage?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

I don't want now to be more precise in our guidance than we have been on the slide. I think in terms of revenue guidance, it's realistic. In terms of EBIT guidance, it's also not that far away.

Lars Vom-Cleff
Research Analyst, Deutsche Bank

Okay. Perfect. Thank you. A quick follow-up question on Section 232, which you also mentioned. Excuse my ignorance. If I remember correctly, it's a 15% tax on material handling, and I assume that comes on top of the general tax, so more or less double the burden. Or am I wrong in this regard?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Actually, it changes almost constantly, so we had, in the meantime, the third wave of changes and, please don't disallow, or take it with a grain of salt because this is actually highly complex. The latest change is that it's not just a tariff on the steel components or aluminum components, it's a tariff level of 25% on the complete product, independent of the steel or aluminum content, which is in fact another increase.

Lars Vom-Cleff
Research Analyst, Deutsche Bank

Oh, okay.

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

This was the latest change on the 6th-8th of April that came into force with immediate effect in April. What we need to consider as well that we see the same impact, especially on loader cranes on all the other competitors, yeah. This means our competitiveness does not suffer vis-à-vis the peers or vis-à-vis the competition. In terms of customers hesitating to close the deals is exactly what I mentioned before. They are always trying to wait for the best moment, okay? This makes it a little bit unpredictable. The business, the requirements, the demand is still sitting there.

Lars Vom-Cleff
Research Analyst, Deutsche Bank

Okay. Perfect. Thank you. I'll go back to the line.

Operator

The next question is a follow-up from Markus Remis from ODDO BHF. Please go ahead.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Hi. Yeah. I would have two more cash flow related questions. Firstly, on the working capital swing that we saw in the first quarter. I mean, I would assume it's partially because of the low level at year-end. Any thoughts you can share with us on the kind of progression going forward and also looking at your free cash flow guidance more than EUR 100 million, just to remind us of the absolute level of CapEx that you target for this year?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Well, the seasonality is typically, like you have seen it. You already mentioned that year-end was extremely strong. Actually we emptied our inventory to a very large extent at the year-end. The rebound therefore was slightly higher than it should have been. We also had some special impacts. For example, in the Middle East, we could not ship all products, minor amount, but in the end, it all sums up. This is something which we hope to see trending in the other direction already in Q2. Typically, the strongest improvement is always in Q4, and you could see this also in the last years. At the latest in Q4, we do expect a full reversal of this number and probably even a positive impact out of working capital change.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Okay. Despite the notes now.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Sorry. Just to add on, it also depends, of course, on the revenue we expect for 2027.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Yeah.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

The better actually the outlook, the higher is the working capital. This is of course actually always the opposite. The better the outlook, the higher is also the working capital then.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

A working capital inflow in 2026 would then entail no or very moderate growth for 2027. It's kind of that's the message.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

If we see clearly now the order intake of EUR 650 million-EUR 660 million plus in the second quarter, if we maintain our 2027 target, probably there is no positive impact out of change in working capital to the free cash flow. Perhaps even slightly negative impact. If the level would be, let me say, at EUR 2.6 billion next year, I think we should get to a number of close to zero or even slightly positive.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

Okay. That's very clear. The CapEx number that is baked in for the EUR 100 million?

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

CapEx impact will be around EUR 160 million. I would assume our plans are slightly higher, but I think realistically this should be what you can expect.

Markus Remis
Head of Austrian and CEE Equity Research, ODDO BHF

160. Okay. Thank you very much.

Felix Strohbichler
CFO, Palfinger

Okay.

Operator

For any further questions, please press star and one on your telephone. There are no more questions at this time. I would now like to turn the conference back over to Andreas Klauser for any closing remarks.

Andreas Klauser
CEO, Palfinger

Yes. Thank you, everybody, for attending, as well for your questions. I think, we really further clarified and could provide a proper overview what's happening so far, what's expected in the near future. No doubt we are living in a very volatile environment, but still considering our product portfolio, our solutions we can provide to the marketplace, we are quite confident that, we can hit the targets which we have announced. Wish you a great day. Stay safe and see you soon. Thank you very much.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, the conference is now over. Thank you for choosing Chorus Call, and thank you for participating in the conference. You may now disconnect your lines. Goodbye.

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