Rexel lifts 2026 outlook again after Q3 sales rise 14.6%

what happened

According to Dow Jones Newswires, French electrical distributor Rexel posted third-quarter 2026 sales of EUR5.45 billion, up 14.6% on a reported basis. Adjusted for currency and calendar effects, growth reached 11.4%, the strongest quarterly pace since 2022. North America led, with sales up 17.4% and US sales up 18.2%, while data centers more than doubled and made up about 13% of US revenue. Europe rose 4.5% and Asia-Pacific 15.8%.

The company lifted its 2026 outlook for a second time. It now expects same-day sales growth of about 7%, up from about 5%, and an adjusted EBITA margin of at least 6.4%, compared with at least 6.2% previously. Rexel also agreed to buy GCG in the US, its largest deal in over 15 years, with closing expected by year-end; a EUR500 million share issue helps fund it.

why it matters

For markets, the report points to firm demand for electrical equipment in the US, where data centers and industrial automation are driving volumes and pricing has held. Investors in distributors and grid-related suppliers may read the guidance upgrade as a sign that infrastructure demand has not yet faded.

market impact

Electrical distributors and data-center supply chain: strong US demand supports the sector; dollar strength lifts euro-reported sales

tags

instruments