Kingfisher PLC (OTC: KGFHF) Raises Profit Outlook After Strong First Half
- Kingfisher PLC (OTC: KGFHF) reported £404 million in adjusted pre-tax profit for the six months ended July 31, 2026, up 9.9% from a year earlier.
- Screwfix like-for-like sales grew 5.6%, while Kingfisher's group gross margin rose to 38.4%. A £14 million one-off business rates refund also helped profit.
- Kingfisher raised its full-year adjusted pre-tax profit guidance to £595 million-£635 million, from £565 million-£625 million, and maintained its interim dividend at 3.80p per share.
Kingfisher PLC (OTC: KGFHF) operates home improvement retailers including B&Q and Screwfix. Its September 22, 2026, results covered the six months ended July 31, 2026. Reported sales rose 0.8% to £6.864 billion, while adjusted earnings per share increased 16.1% to 17.8p.
Adjusted pre-tax profit rose from £368 million to £404 million. Kingfisher attributed the increase to a higher gross margin and cost control, alongside the £14 million refund. Excluding that refund, the company said adjusted pre-tax profit grew 6.1%. Strong Screwfix sales helped offset weaker sales at B&Q and Brico Dépôt France.
Kingfisher now expects £595 million-£635 million in adjusted pre-tax profit for its financial year ending January 2027. It also raised its free cash flow guidance to £480 million-£520 million. The interim dividend remained 3.80p per share.
At July 31, Kingfisher reported £1.931 billion in net debt, including lease liabilities, and a net debt-to-adjusted-EBITDA ratio of 1.4 times. It had access to £1.06 billion in liquidity, including an undrawn credit facility.
