Nestlé Q3 organic sales growth beats forecasts at 4%

Nestlé reported third-quarter organic sales growth of 4.0%, above analyst expectations, as stronger volumes lifted results, and kept its 2026 growth outlook unchanged. Real internal growth, the company’s measure of sales growth from volume and product mix, rose to 2.8%, while pricing contributed 1.1%. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had expected average organic growth of 3.42%. The results were announced October 22. The company said growth was positive across all geographic zones and globally managed businesses. Petcare grew 5.3%, including real internal growth of 4.3%, driven by cat food. Food and Snacks grew 5.0%, supported by confectionery in the Americas, improving U.S. frozen foods and seasonal order timing. Coffee growth was 3.4%, while Nutrition grew 0.3%. Emerging markets recorded organic growth of 6.8%, compared with 2.2% in developed markets. Nestlé maintained its 2026 forecast for organic growth of 3% to 4%. It also expects real internal growth to accelerate from 2025, its underlying trading operating profit margin to improve from last year, and free cash flow to exceed 9 billion Swiss francs. Chief Executive Philipp Navratil said real internal growth was positive...