Telefónica SA (BME: TEF) reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter 2026 results, driven by solid revenue growth, improved profitability, and lower net debt. The Spanish telecom giant exceeded analyst forecasts for adjusted EBITDA and operating cash flow, signaling a positive start to the year despite mixed regional performance.
For the January–March 2026 period, Telefónica posted adjusted EBITDA of €2.84 billion, up 1.3% year-over-year and above analyst expectations of €2.79 billion. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA increased 1.8%, while the EBITDA margin improved to 34.9% from 34.6% in the same period last year.
Group revenue climbed 0.4% to €8.13 billion, beating consensus estimates of €8.07 billion. Service revenue also rose 1.1% in constant terms, reflecting stable customer demand across key markets. Adjusted operating cash flow after leases reached €1.38 billion, surpassing analyst projections of €1.30 billion.
Telefónica also reduced net financial debt by €1.50 billion during the quarter, bringing total debt down to €25.34 billion as of March 31, 2026. The company’s leverage ratio improved to 2.72 times adjusted EBITDAaL.
Free cash flow from continuing operations totaled €333 million, higher than market expectations of €300 million, although lower than the €583 million recorded in Q1 2025. Capital expenditure represented 10.7% of revenue, slightly below analyst forecasts.
Telefónica España delivered strong performance with revenue rising 2.0% year-over-year in constant terms to €3.23 billion. Meanwhile, Telefónica Brasil posted revenue growth of 7.4% to €2.51 billion and adjusted EBITDA growth of 8.7%.
However, Telefónica Deutschland faced challenges as revenue declined 8.6% due to customer migration issues and weaker handset demand.
The company reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance and confirmed a €0.15 per share dividend payout scheduled for June 2027. Telefónica also continued portfolio optimization efforts, including the sale agreement of Telefónica Mexico for $450 million.


China Eastern Orders 25 Airbus A330neo Jets in $9.35 Billion Deal to Boost International Expansion
Apple Supplier Stocks Slide as Samsung, SK Hynix Lead Selloff After Apple Price Hikes
Italy Investigates Microsoft Over Microsoft 365 AI Subscription Price Hike
SpaceX, Charter Communications Explore Mobile Partnership to Expand Starlink Wireless Service
Nomura Stock Upgraded to Buy by BofA as Stronger ROE and Earnings Growth Boost Outlook
Johns Hopkins University Lays Off 110 Employees as Federal Research Funding Declines
Amazon Prime Day 2026 Sales Top $26.4 Billion as Shoppers Chase Discounts Amid Inflation
Trip.com Shares Tumble After Q1 Profit Drops and Weak Revenue Growth Outlook
Cerebras Revenue Forecast Tops Expectations, but Margin Concerns Weigh on Stock
Anthropic AI Model Uncovers Vulnerabilities in Classified U.S. Government Systems During Security Test
Micron Stock Surges on Strong AI Demand, Record Revenue, and Bullish Q4 Forecast
Alibaba Shares Fall After Anthropic Alleges Massive AI Model Distillation Campaign
Kioxia Targets U.S. Listing as AI Chip Boom Accelerates
Doncasters Raises $919 Million in NYSE IPO as Aerospace Growth Accelerates
Samsung and SK Hynix Shares Jump After Micron Earnings Boost AI Chip Optimism
Bain Capital Nears Deal for Majority Stake in Volkswagen Marine Engine Unit Everllence
OpenAI IPO Delay Weighs on SoftBank Shares as AI Valuation Concerns Grow 



