17th Feb 2026 11:22
(Alliance News) - Kerry Group PLC on Tuesday reported a decline in annual profit, but announced a EUR300 million new share buyback.
The Tralee, County Kerry-based provider of nutrition products also said Chair Tom Moran will step down from the position April 30 at the end of its annual general meeting, after four years in the role. He will be replaced by Non-Executive Director Fiona Dawson.
Kerry shares fell 6.0% to EUR74.80 each in London on Tuesday morning.
Kerry's pretax profit in 2025 declined 2.5% to EUR758.7 million from EUR778.4 million in 2024. Revenue fell 2.5% to EUR6.76 billion from EUR6.93 billion.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation, however, advanced 17% to EUR1.21 billion from EUR1.19 billion.
Irish broker Davy had predicted Kerry would achieve revenue of EUR6.82 billion and an Ebitda of EUR1.22 billion, so both outcomes fell slightly short.
"We delivered another year of strong end market volume outperformance and margin expansion, supporting high-single-digit constant currency adjusted earnings per share growth," Chief Executive Officer Edmond Scanlon said.
"Volume growth was driven by a strong performance in the Americas throughout the year. This was led by foodservice innovation and increased nutritional renovation across a broad range of customers, given our positioning as a leader in sustainable nutrition, with customers looking to address nutrition, taste, cost or sustainability aspects."
Kerry upped its final dividend by 10% to 98 cents, bringing its total dividend to 140 cents, also up 10%.
In addition, the firm announced a buyback of up to EUR300 million.
Scanlon added: "As we look to 2026, Kerry remains well positioned for strong market outperformance, supporting our customers as their innovation and renovation partner. We expect to deliver continued volume growth and margin expansion, resulting in constant currency adjusted earnings per share growth of 6% to 10%."
Adjusted EPS in 2025 rose 3.0% to 481.5 cents. The constant currency growth was 7.5%.
Kerry said Dawson, who currently sits on the boards of retailer Marks & Spencer Group PLC, consumer goods firm Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC and construction toys maker Lego Group AS as a non-executive director, will become its chair at the end of its April AGM.
Outgoing Chair Tom Moran said: "It has been a privilege to serve on the Kerry Group board for over ten years, including four years as board chair. I have worked alongside a dedicated and talented group of directors over the years and an outstanding leadership team."
Dawson said: "It is an honour to be appointed chair designate. I look forward to working with the board and the leadership team on the delivery of our strategy and continued value creation for all our stakeholders."
By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor
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