Sweden's Securitas posts profit beat, exceeds margin target (updated)

Securitas AB

04/02/2026 07:24

Adds chart showing geographic division of revenue; updates with CEO comments in paragraphs 2-3, context on US in paragraph 6, detail on contract exits and analyst comment in paragraphs 7-8

Securitas reports Q4 core profit above consensus

Operating margin rises in Q4, exceeds 8% target in second half of 2025

Securitas to complete European contract optimisation in H1 of 2026

By Tomasz Kanik

Feb 4 (Reuters) - Sweden's Securitas SECUb.ST, one of the world's largest security services providers, on Wednesday reported bigger than expected fourth-quarter earnings and said it exceeded its operating margin target of 8% in the second half of the year.

The company's results were mostly unaffected by geopolitical volatility and shifts in global trade in 2025 thanks to its operating model that is largely based on services delivered locally, CEO Magnus Ahlqvist said in a statement.

"Performance was strong across all segments," he said, adding that 6% growth in sales of its technology solutions business supported the unit's continued shift toward higher-margin services.

Securitas' operating earnings before amortisation (EBITA) rose to 3.06 billion Swedish crowns ($344.4 million) in the fourth quarter, beating analysts' average forecast of 3.02 billion crowns in a poll provided on its website.

Operating margin rose to 8% in the quarter from 7.3% a year earlier. This growth was supported by broad-based improvements, with the business in North America posting a 10% margin for the first time in its history and Europe delivering another quarter above 8%, it said.

Around 40% of Securitas' revenue comes from North America, but little of it is from imports that would be affected by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, as the majority of its business is staff-driven.

The company, which recently concluded its business optimisation programme targeting 200 million crowns of annual savings, said it expected to complete most of its underperforming European security services contracts by the first half of 2026.

Securitas should enter 2026 as a "cleaner operation" with higher margins, fewer one-offs, less disruption and better numbers, RBC analysts said in a note to investors.

     ($1 = 8.8857 Swedish crowns)

Sweden's Securitas sales per segment, 2024 https://www.reuters.com/graphics/SECURITAS-SALES/CHART/gkplqgkrdvb/chart.png

(Reporting by Tomasz Kanik in Gdansk; Editing by Milla Nissi)

((tomasz.kanik@thomsonreuters.com))