Mumbai: Global communications group Havas reported a solid financial performance for the first half of 2026, posting 2.5% organic net revenue growth, a 30-basis-point improvement in adjusted EBIT margin, and a 13.5% rise in net income attributable to the Group, while reaffirming its full-year guidance.
Net revenue for the first six months of 2026 stood at €1.362 billion, supported by organic growth of 2.5%, while adjusted EBIT rose to €150 million, resulting in an adjusted EBIT margin of 11%, up from 10.7% in the corresponding period last year. Net income attributable to the Group increased to €84 million from €74 million a year earlier. Net cash at the end of June stood at negative €76 million, compared with negative €79 million at the same time in 2025.
Second-quarter net revenue increased 3.8% year-on-year to €724 million, aided by a stronger contribution from acquisitions and a lower negative foreign exchange impact. On an organic basis, second-quarter growth stood at 2.5%.
The company maintained its guidance for fiscal year 2026, forecasting organic net revenue growth of between 2% and 3%, an adjusted EBIT margin of 13.2% to 13.5%, and a dividend payout ratio of around 40%.
Commenting on the performance, Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO of Havas, said, “Havas delivered a solid first-half performance in 2026, achieving organic growth of +2.5% and a further 30 basis-point improvement in adjusted EBIT margin. This performance reflects the resilience of our model, the strength of our client relationships, and the continued success of our Converged strategy. We are seeing momentum in New Business across the Group. We are also pleased with the progress at Horizon Global, our joint venture with Horizon Media, as we continue to build a differentiated approach for modern marketers. Additionally, we continue to invest in areas of growing client demand through targeted acquisitions that strengthen our capabilities in sports marketing, experiential activation, and corporate influence, helping our clients build more desirable brands and forge deeper connections with consumers. As our industry evolves, we remain convinced that agencies closest to clients’ needs and businesses, combined with the power of our Converged.AI operating system and our disciplined investment in AI, are best positioned to adapt quickly, anticipate client challenges, and unlock growth. I would like to thank our clients for their continued trust and our teams around the world for their commitment and outstanding work.”
Regionally, North America remained the strongest-performing market, recording organic growth of 6.9% in the first half, driven by robust performances across the Creative and Media businesses. Europe posted organic growth of 0.7%, while Latin America delivered 4% growth. Asia Pacific and Africa declined 4.8%, impacted by continued weakness in China and geopolitical challenges in the Middle East, although India continued to deliver strong growth.
Havas also continued to expand through acquisitions during the period, adding agencies including France-based Format, U.S.-based sports marketing specialist Archrival, and Spain’s experiential marketing agency MUT. Following the reporting period, the company also acquired a majority stake in Dutch sports marketing agency SportVibes.
The company highlighted continued progress at Horizon Global, its operating joint venture with Horizon Media, citing a strengthening commercial pipeline, new business wins, and growing adoption of AI-enabled solutions.
During the first half, Havas invested €98 million across acquisitions and strategic investments, including additional investments in Louis Hachette Group shares and AI research platform Vurvey Labs. It also renewed its share buyback programme and paid a dividend of €0.80 per share for fiscal 2025.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, particularly in parts of the Middle East, Havas said it remains confident about the second half of the year, supported by its integrated operating model, diversified geographic presence, AI investments, and continued focus on targeted acquisitions across sports marketing, experiential activation, strategic advisory, and AI-powered content solutions.
