French rail manufacturing powerhouse Alstom has announced a robust financial performance for the first half of its 2025-2026 fiscal year, showcasing significant profit growth fuelled by healthy worldwide demand for trains and railway systems.
Financial Performance Highlights
For the six-month period spanning April to September, Alstom generated a net income of 220 million euros ($256 million). This marks a substantial increase from the 53 million euros reported in the same period of the previous fiscal year. The company attributed this impressive growth to improved operating profitability, reduced financial expenses, and the successful completion of its integration programme for Bombardier Transportation, which it acquired in 2021.
Revenue for the first half also saw a positive uptick, rising by three percent to 9.06 billion euros, compared to 8.78 billion euros a year earlier. This growth was supported by increased activity in the rolling stock sector, particularly in France, the United States, and Italy.
Strategic Growth and Future Outlook
Alstom's Chief Executive Officer, Henri Poupart-Lafarge, stated that the strong sales growth across all product lines demonstrates the company's ability to accelerate the execution of its substantial order book. Reflecting this positive momentum, Alstom has upgraded its revenue growth forecast for the current fiscal year. The company now expects growth to exceed five percent, surpassing its earlier projection of between three and five percent.
As of September 30, the company's financial health was further underscored by its massive backlog of total orders valued at 96.1 billion euros, signalling strong future revenue streams.
Major Contracts Driving Global Expansion
The company's success was not confined to Europe. In the Americas, Alstom recorded 3.5 billion euros in orders during the first half, a significant jump from 0.9 billion euros a year earlier. Key projects included contracts for commuter trains for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad, which serve the New York metropolitan area.
A landmark achievement was the entry into service of the Acela NextGen trains in August. These are the first high-speed tilting trains built in America, and they are now operating for Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor, a route that passes through eight US states.
In Asia, Alstom secured its position by landing two major contracts in India. The company will be providing its advanced driverless technology for the metro systems in the major cities of Chennai and Mumbai.
This strong financial report from a global rail leader highlights the ongoing international investment in modern, efficient transport infrastructure, a sector with potential implications for development projects in growing economies like Nigeria's.
