BMW cuts full-year profit outlook again as China weakens and job cuts weigh on margins

In brief

• BMW lowered its 2026 earnings forecast for the second time this year.
• The revision is linked to weaker conditions in China and costs for an accelerated job-reduction programme.
• The first cut in June led to a share price drop of more than 8 percent, the steepest in six years.

Second profit warning this year

The German carmaker has issued a so-called profit warning to shareholders, cutting its guidance for the current year. (Wirtschaft - BMW senkt Prognose für das laufende Jahr – Deutschlandfunk) It is the second time in 2026 that BMW has revised its outlook downward. (BMW znów obniżyło prognozy. Poprzednio reakcją była jego największa przecena od 2020 roku – Puls Biznesu) (Business-Ticker: BMW senkt abermals Prognose – FAZ.NET)

China drives the revision

The main reason is a deterioration in market conditions in China, one of BMW's most important sales regions. The company also expects fewer vehicle deliveries than previously planned. (BMW: BMW senkt erneut Gewinnprognose und erwartet weniger Auslieferungen – ZEIT ONLINE)

Restructuring costs squeeze margins

BMW expects its profit margin in the automotive business to fall markedly. Among the drivers are costs for a faster reduction of jobs, which the company is pushing ahead with.

Share price reaction

The first cut earlier this year triggered a sharp fall in the share price, with shares losing more than 8 percent, their steepest drop in six years. Investors have been watching closely for a similar response to the latest revision.

Key figures

| Item | Earlier this year | Latest revision | |---|---|---| | Share price move on profit warning | more than -8% (June) | not reported | | Direction of guidance | downward | downward |

What comes next

The materials do not give updated numerical targets for the new guidance, so the scale of the cut and the exact new forecast remain unclear from the reporting so far.