(BFM Stock Exchange) – The specialist in the distribution of electrical equipment experienced an acceleration of its commercial dynamics in the second quarter of the DataCenters (data centers) and high speed infrastructure markets in the United States. Rexel confirms its annual objectives.

Not very often in the spotlight on the Paris Stock Exchange, Rexel is distinguished this Tuesday, July 29. The specialist in the distribution of electrical equipment whose origins date back to 1967 with the electric distribution company (CDME), took 5.7% and signs one of the strongest increases in SBF 120, around 11:15 am.

The leap of the Rexel action to be credited to the results of the first half in progress, and superior to expectations. A performance that was well received by the market.

From January to June, the company has generated revenues of 9.775 billion euros up 1.6% to a number of constant days. Rexel does much better than market expectations. According to a consensus quoted by Oddo BHF, analysts tabbed on an increase of 1% in number of comparable days as well as on total income of 9.709 billion euros.

A leap in activity in North America

On the second quarter alone, the specialist in the distribution of electrical equipment saw its growth accelerate in sequential rhythm (from one quarter to another), helped by a favorable dynamic in North America.

Between April and late June, the group’s overall turnover increased by 1.8% against 1.4% over the first three months of the year.

The company was notably supported over the period by a jump of 8.7% of sales in comparable data and constant days in North America, including an increase of 8.2% in the United States, and 10.9% in Canada.

In the United States, Rexel benefited from the development of the non-residential itself carried by the Datacenters (data centers) and broadband infrastructure markets. The latter contributed for about half of growth in the United States in the second quarter of 2025.

Like Legrand, Rexel took advantage of the boom of artificial intelligence (AI) which results in an exponential development of the datacenters.

In Europe, the group has seen its sales withdraw from 3% in comparable data and a number of constant days. Rexel cites “a difficult global context marked by an unfavorable basic effect, a lower contribution of cable prices (compared to the first quarter of 2025), and a low activity on specific markets such as solar”.

The management “nevertheless mentioned the first signs of stabilization (number of transactions in the old one, requests for rising loans”, specifies Oddo BHF.

In Asia-Pacific, the group still accuses the blow and sees its sales fall by 6.5% in comparable data and a number of constant days. In China, sales dropped by 10.2% sealed by negative volumes, in a context of competitive market.

“Key element in organic growth analysis of 1.8%in the second quarter: Product prices excluding cables were up 0.9%, mainly in the United States (+2.2%) due to customs duties, and those of the cable of 0.6%. The volumes were positive at 0.3%”, details the design office.

Confirmed 2025 perspectives

On the other account lines, the adjusted EBITA, the retired operating profit of certain elements, contracted 1.8% to 564 million euros in the first half, and appears online with the expectations of consensus at 561 million euros, but slightly above the anticipations of ODDO BHF housed at 553 million euros.

The corresponding margin registered at 5.8% against 6% a year earlier. This is also in line with expectations, located 5.8%. Net profit fell by 26% over the period to set for 261 million euros.

The company has confirmed its 2025 objectives, namely a slightly positive stable sales growth with comparable data, for an expected adjusted ebita margin of around 6%.

“The group should benefit from a slightly better price effect than the 0.9% of the second quarter in incremental (Rexel suppliers have remained rather very disciplined in price increases for the moment, with increases from 4% to 20% in certain categories only), but Europe will remain a weight in performance,” said Oddo BHF which anticipates a growth in comparable data from 2.1% and Marge of 6%.

“If this publication is of good quality, the market probably already hoped for this operational performance and the group will have to count on a better pricing (price effect) in the second half to reach its margin objective of 6%, as well as the pursuit of restructuring programs (United Kingdom Germany)”, argues the design office which maintains its opinion to “neutral” and its lens of 25 euros.