Schaeffler's shares plunged 19% after the German automotive supplier issued a cautious 2026 outlook, warning of a challenging global auto production environment. The company guided for revenue of €22.5-€24.5 billion, below the €24.03 billion consensus estimate. Jefferies analysts described the guidance as weak, with midpoint sales projected 2% below expectations and EBIT roughly 14% below forecasts.

For 2025, Schaeffler reported revenue of €23.5 billion, down from €24.3 billion, reflecting a 7.8% decline in its Powertrain & Chassis division. While the figure matched the €23.6 billion consensus, EBIT before special items of €936 million missed the €982 million forecast. Free cash flow of €266 million also fell short of expectations.

The stock decline marks its steepest daily drop since March 2020, reflecting investor concerns about the company's near-term prospects. Despite the weaker-than-expected outlook, Schaeffler maintains its medium-term targets and is positioning for future growth through initiatives like humanoid robotics and defense, aiming to generate up to 10% of revenue from these new activities by 2035.