Zeiss Reports Half-Year 2024/25 Financial Performance
The challenging geopolitical and economic environment has greatly impacted the business units within the ZEISS Group in different ways. Despite a mixed performance, the Group recorded a good first half-year overall. The Group’s revenue was 5.8 billion euros (ended 31 March 2025). This corresponds with an increase of 9% as compared with the prior year. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to 923 euros million (up 184 million euros compared to the prior year). Expenditure on research and development remains above the sector average at 14% of revenue. The number of employees increased to 46,555 worldwide.
“ZEISS too is feeling the effects of the weaker global economic situation and increasing uncertainty in the markets,” said Andreas Pecher, President and CEO of ZEISS. “The fiscal year got off to a significantly more subdued start than in the last few years. Now, it’s all the more important to further strengthen the company’s resilience and invest prudently in the future by continuing to invest heavily in research and development, for example.”
The overall result of the ZEISS Group is robust however global economic developments are clearly evident in certain markets and therefore also in certain segments. The Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment saw double-digit growth in the first half of fiscal year 2024/25. The direct-to-market segments recorded slight single-digit growth or, in some cases, a slight decline in revenue. Fewer and fewer business units could extricate themselves from the poor market climate. After the first six months of the current fiscal year, uncertainty and consumer reticence has become apparent among both end consumers and business customers.
“We are responding to this with prudence and taking targeted action. The results show that the resilience measures are working,“ said Stefan Müller, CFO of the ZEISS Group. “The situation in each of the areas is determined by quite specific market conditions. There is therefore no one solution for all areas at ZEISS.”
The measures taken include structural and process improvements as well as making use of optimization potential in infrastructure projects. This may also include capacities being adjusted – temporarily by reducing overtime accounts or introducing short-time working hours or permanently by removing a limited number of jobs.
For more information: www.zeiss.com
