Neste stock advances as Q2 2026 profits surge and Helsinki index slips

Neste (FI0009013296) stock traded at EUR 30.88 in Helsinki on August 18, 2026, gaining 0.49 percent in late trade while the broader OMX Helsinki 25 index fell 1.61 percent. Per recent market data, the shares also change hands at EUR 30.77 on a German venue, with a 52-week range between EUR 14.33 and EUR 34.19, underscoring how far the stock has recovered from its lows.

Q2 2026 results show sharp profit rebound

Recent quarterly figures highlight a strong rebound in profitability for Neste in Q2 2026. According to Q2 2026 financial data, revenue reached EUR 5.99 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, an increase of 32.7 percent year over year, underscoring robust demand in both traditional and renewable products. The same dataset shows net income of EUR 765 million in Q2 2026, up 2,225 percent from the prior-year quarter, reflecting a sharp swing in margins and earnings.

Gross profit in Q2 2026 came in at EUR 1.28 billion, up 330.5 percent compared with the previous year, lifting the gross margin to 21.43 percent. At the same time, EBITDA reached EUR 979 million in the quarter, an increase of 7,092.9 percent year over year, highlighting how operational leverage and improved refining economics translated into significantly higher cash-generating power.

The balance sheet metrics also improved alongside earnings. Total debt at the end of Q2 2026 stood at EUR 4.70 billion, 12.1 percent lower than a year earlier, while total cash was EUR 1.09 billion, 10.6 percent higher on the same comparison. Inventory levels rose to EUR 3.99 billion, up 30.9 percent year over year, indicating a larger working capital commitment but also a stronger throughput pipeline.

Stock performance and valuation context

On August 18, 2026, market data for the German-traded NEF line showed a spot price of EUR 30.77, with a previous close of EUR 30.65 and a very tight intraday range between EUR 30.77 and EUR 30.77. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between EUR 14.33 and EUR 34.19, so the current level sits less than EUR 3 below the 12-month high, indicating that investors have already priced in a substantial part of the recent earnings recovery.

At this price, the market capitalization stands at EUR 23.26 billion, and the trailing twelve-month revenue is EUR 20.64 billion, implying a price-to-sales ratio close to 1.1 based on this dataset. With trailing net income of EUR 1.52 billion and earnings per share of EUR 1.97, the price-to-earnings ratio is 15.33, placing Neste in a mid-teens valuation band that balances its growth in renewable fuels with the cyclicality of refining.

Quarterly trend data underline how momentum has picked up into 2026. Revenue grew 15.9 percent quarter over quarter in Q2 2026 following a 4.2 percent sequential increase in Q1 2026, while diluted earnings per share saw quarter-over-quarter growth of 43.5 percent in Q2 2026 after a 360 percent jump in Q1 2026. For investors, that trajectory means Q2 2026 revenue was EUR 5.99 billion compared with notably lower levels a year earlier, and the Q2 2026 net income of EUR 765 million contrasts with much weaker or even marginal profitability in the prior-year period.

Longer-term figures illustrate how the company has worked through a period of earnings volatility. Annual revenue was EUR 20.66 billion in fiscal 2024, down 9.5 percent from EUR 22.82 billion in 2023 and EUR 25.96 billion in 2022, while revenue fell further to EUR 18.94 billion in fiscal 2025, a drop of 8.3 percent year over year. Historically, diluted EPS declined from EUR 2.46 in 2022 to EUR 1.86 in 2023 and turned to EUR -0.12 in 2024 before recovering to EUR 0.19 in 2025, showing how Q2 2026 marks a notable turnaround point relative to those earlier years.

Guidance and reporting timeline

Recent disclosures outline the timetable for upcoming financial reports. In its latest communication on financial reporting, Neste set out key dates for 2027 publications, which help investors plan around future earnings releases and capital-markets updates. Market data also flag an estimated earnings date of October 29, 2026 for the next quarterly report, giving a sense of when fresh information on Q3 2026 trading will become available even though this date is classified as an estimate.

Dividends remain a moderate component of the investment case. Trailing twelve-month dividend payments amount to EUR 0.20 per share, translating into a dividend yield of 0.66 percent on the current price. With a payout ratio of 10.14 percent based on the same dataset, most of the company’s earnings are being retained to fund growth projects and capital expenditure, including the expansion of renewable fuels production capacity.

From an efficiency perspective, trailing twelve-month return on equity stands at 19.78 percent, return on assets at 8.73 percent, and return on invested capital at 15.70 percent. These figures suggest that the company is currently generating solid returns on both equity and invested capital, which can be particularly relevant when comparing Neste against other refining and renewable fuel companies in Europe and globally.

Renewable diesel and aviation fuel expansion

Neste is positioning its product portfolio around renewable fuels and lower-emission solutions. The company’s core renewable offerings include renewable diesel designed to cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil diesel and sustainable aviation fuel for airlines aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. These renewable products are complemented by a range of petroleum fuels and lower-emission fuel blends tailored for various customer segments.

Recent operational data highlight the scale of the business. In Q1 2026, revenue was EUR 5.16 billion and net income EUR 533 million, underlining that the strong Q2 2026 results did not occur in isolation but built on an already profitable start to the year. The Q1 2026 operating income margin of 13.3 percent underscored a healthy spread between input costs and selling prices, supporting further investments in renewable products capacity and technology.

Trailing twelve-month figures indicate EBITDA of EUR 2.87 billion and free cash flow of EUR 1.43 billion, even after capital expenditure of EUR 839 million. Operating cash flow over the same period totaled EUR 2.26 billion, providing the financial flexibility to pursue growth projects in renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel while managing total debt of EUR 4.70 billion. Cash and short-term investments of EUR 1.09 billion as of the latest reporting period serve as a buffer against market volatility and potential swings in refining margins.

Closing view on Neste stock

As of August 18, 2026, Neste shares trade at EUR 30.88 on the Helsinki exchange and EUR 30.77 on a German venue, within a 52-week range of EUR 14.33 to EUR 34.19 and underpinning a market capitalization of EUR 23.26 billion. With Q2 2026 revenue of EUR 5.99 billion up 32.7 percent year over year and net income of EUR 765 million up 2,225 percent, the current valuation at a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.33 reflects both the company’s improved earnings profile and the cyclical risks inherent in the energy sector.

Read more

More details on the latest quarterly metrics and estimates for Neste stock can be found in a detailed financial overview, while the company’s own investor relations materials provide the official reporting schedule and additional context on strategy and capital allocation.

Key product focus

Renewable diesel is a flagship product for Neste, produced from waste and residue feedstocks and designed as a drop-in replacement for fossil diesel in existing engines and infrastructure. By offering significant lifecycle emissions reductions compared with conventional diesel, this fuel supports corporate and public-sector customers seeking to meet tightening climate targets without major changes to their vehicle fleets.

Stock snapshot

Based on the latest quoted figures, Neste stock’s EUR 30.77 to EUR 30.88 trading range on August 18, 2026 aligns with a 52-week high of EUR 34.19 and low of EUR 14.33, while trailing twelve-month revenue of EUR 20.64 billion and net income of EUR 1.52 billion underpin a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.33 and a dividend yield of 0.66 percent.