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Kesko will publish its first-quarter results for 2026 on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, at around 8.00 am Finnish time. An English-language audiocast/teleconference for investors and analysts will be held at 9.00 am Finnish time.

Below is a recap of key events and materials for the quarter from an investor perspective.

NEWS, FINANCIALS AND SHARES

• Kesko’s Annual General Meeting of shareholders was held on 26 March 2026. The Meeting resolved, among other things, to distribute a dividend of €0.90/share for 2025, and elected 7 members to Kesko’s Board of Directors for a one-year term of office, including Mervi Airaksinen as a new member. (release)

  At its organisational meeting, the Board of Directors re-elected Esa Kiiskinen as its Chair. (release)

• Kesko’s Annual Report for 2025 was published in February. The report comprises a general review of the company’s strategy, businesses and key sustainability efforts and targets, a Corporate Governance Statement and Remuneration Report, as well as the financial statements section, which includes a sustainability statement. (release)

• Jan-Erik Fredriksson was appointed as Kesko’s new Chief Information Officer (CIO). He comes to Kesko from Fortum, and will assume his position in August 2026 at the latest. (release)

• Shares:

  • Share-based commitment and incentive plans for 2026-2029. (release)

  • Realisation of existing share-based commitment and incentive plans. (release)

  • Realisation of the RSP 2025. (release)

• Presentation for Kesko’s Q1 investor roadshow meetings. (presentation)

SALES DEVELOPMENT

• Kesko’s sales in January. (release)

• Kesko’s sales in February. (release)

Sales figures for March will be released in mid-April.

GROCERY TRADE

• Efforts to turn around market share development yielded results towards the end of 2025. K Group grocery stores managed to increase their market share by 0.5 percentage points in the final quarter of 2025, and by 0.2 percentage points in July-December 2025. In the hypermarket segment, Kesko’s K-Citymarket chain gained market share throughout last year. In Q4, K Group grocery stores won over market share in all store size segments. The positive development can be attributed to Kesko’s strategic investments in the store network as well as in the quality and price levels of the grocery stores. (release)
  
  In total, Kesko’s grocery trade market share in 2025 amounted to 33.5% according to the Nielsen IQ Grocery Shop Directory. (release)
  
  

SUSTAINABILITY

• SBTi validated Kesko’s new science-based emission reduction targets. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated Kesko’s new near term and long term science-based emission reduction targets, extending to 2034 and 2050, respectively. Kesko is set to reduce emissions from its own operations through, for example, increased use of electric transportation and improved energy efficiency. Emissions from products sold will be reduced in close cooperation with suppliers. (release)

• Kesko ranks highest in its sector in both the European and global listings of the most sustainable companies. The Canadian media and research organisation Corporate Knights publishes annual listings of the most sustainable companies in the world and in Europe. Kesko ranked the highest of all companies in its sector in both listings this year. Kesko is the only company in the world to have been included in the global sustainability listing every year since it was first launched in 2005. (Europe 50 release, Global 100 release)

"Kesko’s comparable operating profit improved and net sales increased in all three divisions in 2025. The full-year net sales amounted to €12,474.1 million and comparable operating profit to €654.9 million. In the latter half of the year, there was a turnaround in profit, as quarter-result improved in Q3 and growth continued in Q4. The successful execution of our updated growth strategy in all divisions has yielded results even in an operating environment that has continued to be challenging. Our cost control has also been effective. Our good ability to generate profit and financial position have enabled investments in growth, and we will continue strong growth investments also in upcoming years. Kesko’s Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting a dividend payment in line with the company’s dividend policy: €0.90 per share, or over €358 million in total, to be paid in four instalments.

Kesko’s Board proposes a dividend payment of €0.90 per share, over €358 million in total, in line with the company's dividend policy

Net sales for Kesko’s grocery trade division grew and totalled €6,447.7 million in 2025, with a comparable operating profit of €418.1 million.

Kesko’s objective in grocery trade is to strengthen its market position while maintaining good profitability. Both were achieved in 2025. Operating margin for the division stood at 6.5%. The market share development for K Group grocery stores was very close to the market trend for full-year 2025. A significant turn was seen in the summer, and our market share grew by 0.2 percentage points in July-December and by 0.5 percentage points in Q4 (source: Finnish Grocery Trade Association). The K-Citymarket chain gained market share in the hypermarket segment throughout 2025, and in the final quarter, all K Group grocery chains won over market share in their respective segments. Kesko’s strategic investments in the grocery store network and the price and quality levels of the stores are yielding results. The total grocery trade market also grew from the summer onwards. In the foodservice business, Kespro gained market share despite the 0.3% decrease in sales.

In the building and technical trade division, both net sales and comparable operating profit grew despite the weak cycle in new housing construction. Net sales for the division totalled €4,685.8 million, with a comparable operating profit of €178.6 million. The full-year 2025 profit improved in building and home improvement trade and was close to flat in technical trade, while in the final quarter, profit improved in both business areas. We strengthened market position for Davidsen in Denmark by acquiring three local building and home improvement trade operators in 2025: Roslev, Tømmergaarden and CF Petersen & Søn. Kesko’s biggest ever construction project, the joint Onninen and K-‍Auto logistics centre Onnela in Hyvinkää, Finland, was completed in 2025. Gradual recovery in the construction cycle continued throughout the year, but the pace of recovery in the latter half of the year was weaker than anticipated, especially in new housing construction. In the longer term, however, outlook for the building and technical trade division is positive. Strategic focus for the division is on securing growth and profitability and improving cash flow in each country and business.

Net sales for the car trade division in 2025 increased by 12% and totalled €1,364.8 million, with a comparable operating profit of €83.1 million. The division managed to improve its net sales and comparable operating profit significantly despite the fact that the car trade market in Finland continued to be challenging, as consumer confidence stayed weak and uncertainty regarding powertrain choices persisted. Net sales grew in new and used cars, car services, and sports trade. The strong product and service portfolio and significant transformation measures carried out within the division in recent years have resulted in improved sales and profitability. Kesko’s objective in car trade is to outperform the market in all business areas.

Our market position grew stronger in nearly all business areas in 2025. We estimate that both our operating environment and results will improve in 2026 in all divisions and operating countries. I want to thank all our customers, the people of K Group, our shareholders, and our partners for their trust and cooperation in 2025.

KEY FIGURES IN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2025:

• Group net sales in October-December totalled €3,230.9 million (€3,040.6 million); reported net sales grew by 6.3% while comparable net sales grew by 3.1%

• Comparable operating profit totalled €174.6 million (€170.8 million), representing an increase of €3.8 million

• Operating profit totalled €160.1 million (€121.0 million)

• Cash flow from operating activities totalled €292.5 million (€301.0 million)

• Comparable earnings per share €0.28 (€0.31); reported earnings per share €0.25 (€0.19)

KEY FIGURES  IN JANUARY-DECEMBER 2025:

• Group net sales in January–December totalled €12,474.7 million (€11,920.1 million); reported net sales grew by 4.7%, while comparable net sales grew by 2.3%

• Comparable operating profit totalled €654.9 million (€650.1 million), representing an increase of €4.8 million

• Operating profit totalled €631.3 million (€579.5 million)

• Cash flow from operating activities totalled €879.7 million (€1,008.2 million)

• Comparable earnings per share €1.07 (€1.11); reported earnings per share €1.02 (€0.95)
  
  

> See the full 2025 financial statements release and presentation materials