The BASF Group has published its final figures for the second quarter of 2025. Sales were 2.1 percent below the previous year's level at €15.8 billion. This was due to negative currency effects and lower prices, particularly in the Chemicals segment. Sales volumes developed positively in the Agricultural Solutions and Surface Technologies segments. “The Agricultural Solutions segment recorded significantly higher earnings and achieved remarkable volume growth of 21 percent compared with the prior-year quarter,” says Dr. Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, presenting the quarterly figures together with Chief Financial Officer Dr. Dirk Elvermann.
Chemicals and Industrial Solutions segments of BASF remain significantly below the previous year's level
Ebitda before special items reached €1.77 billion, in line with analysts' expectations. However, it was lower than in the second quarter of 2024, when €1.96 billion was achieved. The Agricultural Solutions segment in particular performed above average. By contrast, the Chemicals and Industrial Solutions segments remained significantly below the prior-year level.
Earnings after taxes significantly weaker
Operating profit (EBIT) before special items was €810 million, slightly above the consensus forecast but below the prior-year figure of €0.97 billion. EBIT after special items fell to €494 million. This was influenced by restructuring costs. Earnings after taxes amounted to €108 million. This was significantly below the previous year's figure of €470 million. Among other things, this was due to higher tax expenses and lower contributions from investments.
2025 annual forecast of BASF lowered due to challenging economic environment
Against the backdrop of ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, BASF has adjusted its outlook for the full year 2025. EBITDA before special items is now expected to be in a range of €7.3 billion to €7.7 billion. The company had previously expected a figure between €8 billion and €8.4 billion. BASF cites weaker global economic development, lower growth in chemical production and continuing margin pressure, particularly in the upstream sector, as reasons for this. Exchange rate developments and a lower oil price are also having a negative impact.
