Ahold Delhaize stock faces cyber costs after resilient Q3

Ahold Delhaize reported resilient third-quarter results on Wednesday, November 4, but lowered parts of its 2026 outlook after an October cyberattack disrupted online operations and supply-chain activities. The Brussels Times reported that the incident affected several retail chains and temporarily disrupted deliveries and online orders.

Ahold Delhaize stock traded at 34.59 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 5:08:27 p.m. CET on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

What changed in the outlook

The company expects the cyber incident to reduce fourth-quarter sales by 200 million to 250 million euros and underlying and IFRS operating income by 75 million to 100 million euros. Additional response and remediation costs are expected to have a marginal effect on 2026 IFRS operating income.

Underlying earnings per share at constant exchange rates are now expected to grow in the low single digits, compared with the previous mid- to high-single-digit forecast. Free cash flow is expected at around 2.1 billion euros, down from at least 2.3 billion euros previously.

Quarterly performance remains resilient

Third-quarter sales increased 1.9 percent at constant exchange rates and 2.6 percent at actual exchange rates to 23.1 billion euros. Underlying operating profit reached 946 million euros, with an underlying operating margin of 4.1 percent.

European sales rose 3.1 percent to 9.82 billion euros. The results provide a stronger operating base, but the cyber-related fourth-quarter disruption shifts investor attention to the speed of the recovery and the effect on margins.

Capital returns set the next marker

Ahold Delhaize plans to start a 1 billion euro share buyback at the beginning of 2027. Management also aims to increase the 2026 dividend per share at a mid-single-digit rate, subject to the updated outlook.

Since the latest own report, which cited 33.28 euros at 10:00:47 a.m. CET on November 4, the Lang & Schwarz quote has risen 3.94 percent. This comparison measures the change since that report and is separate from the daily exchange comparison.

Investors can follow the real-time quote of Ahold Delhaize stock separately.

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