DHL Group closed the second quarter of 2025 with earnings growth, despite a volatile global environment. Revenue decreased by 3.9 percent compared to the previous year to EUR 19.8 billion, primarily due to the impact of exchange rate effects and slower momentum in trade volumes, while profitability improved. Operating profit was up 5.7 percent to EUR 1.4 billion, supported by cost improvements and yield management. The EBIT margin improved by 0.7 percentage points to 7.2 percent.
Melanie Kreis, CFO DHL Group said, “In the second quarter, trade conflicts and geopolitical tensions increased, impacting global economic dynamics. We anticipate continued volatility in the global economy in the second half of the year. Our focus on efficiency improvements and growth markets is paying off in this situation. We have adjusted our capacities to the volume development and achieved structural cost improvements. This combination has significantly contributed to earnings growth. We are working to further improve our efficiency and leverage growth opportunities in the current environment. Our diversified portfolio provides stability.”
Continuous investments in growth markets
In the second quarter of 2025, DHL Group's gross capital expenditure (capex owned assets) amounted to EUR 608 million, 4 percent below previous year's levels. DHL Group continues to maintain tight capex control and is adjusting investments to the current economic environment. At the same time, the Group is investing organically and inorganically in growth markets and productivity improvements as part of its Strategy 2030. In the second quarter, DHL Group announced several investment programs, acquisitions, and partnerships, including investments in the Middle East of more than EUR 500 million between 2024 and 2030, with a focus on the rapidly growing Gulf markets of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The Group is also expanding its capabilities in pharma logistics: In the second quarter, DHL Group completed the acquisition of CRYOPDP, a provider of courier services for clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies. DHL Supply Chain will take advantage of the expertise of the newly acquired specialist provider and the global air freight services of DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding to expand its pharma-specialized network and maximize its potential. Additionally, the expansion of the DHL Health Logistics Campus in Florstadt (near Frankfurt) will create the central DHL pharma hub in Europe.
With the acquisition of IDS Fulfillment in the USA and the strategic partnership with Evri in the UK, DHL Group is further expanding its capabilities in the structurally growing e-commerce business.
Improved cost structure
As part of the Group-wide “Fit for Growth” program, DHL Group is working to improve its cost structure in combination with regular capacity adjustments. For example, DHL Express further reduced costs in its air freight network and costs for pick-up and delivery in the second quarter.
Supply Chain: sustained earnings growth
DHL Supply Chain further improved its operating result in the second quarter. The reported figures include a positive net one-off effect of EUR 54 million mainly from the first-time full consolidation of the ASMO joint venture in Saudi Arabia. Even without one-off effects, the division managed to increase operating profit and EBIT margin. Profitable growth is supported by ongoing digitalization and automation.
eCommerce: structural growth trend intact, slower volume growth due to economic conditions
DHL eCommerce experienced slower volume growth due to economic conditions in some markets. Operating profit declined partly because of continuous investments in network expansion. The structural e-commerce trend remains intact.
Post & Parcel Germany: yield management and cost improvements stabilize earnings
Despite slower growth dynamics in the parcel business due to economic conditions, a continued decline in mail volumes, and burdens from wage agreements, Post & Parcel Germany managed to further stabilize its operating result. The positive earnings development is attributable to the parcel business, yield management, and structural cost improvements.
