Havas confirms 2026 outlook after solid first half
North America remained Havas' strongest-performing region, delivering organic growth of 6.9 per cent
Havas reported organic net revenue growth of 2.5 per cent in the first half of 2026 and confirmed its full-year financial guidance, supported by new business activity, acquisitions and continued investment in AI and experiential marketing.
Net revenue reached €1.36 billion during the first six months of the year, while adjusted EBIT increased to €150 million, resulting in an adjusted EBIT margin of 11.0 per cent, up 30 basis points from the same period in 2025. Net income attributable to the Group rose 13.5 per cent to €84 million.
North America drives growth
North America remained Havas' strongest-performing region, delivering organic growth of 6.9 per cent in the first half of the year. Europe recorded organic growth of 0.7 per cent, while Latin America returned to growth with a 4.0 per cent increase. Asia Pacific and Africa declined, with the Group citing weaker performance in China and the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Yannick Bolloré, chairman and CEO, Havas: "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."
Acquisitions expand capabilities
During the first half of 2026, Havas acquired majority stakes in several agencies, including corporate communications firm Format in France, sports marketing agency Archrival in the United States and experiential marketing agency MUT in Spain. After the reporting period, the Group also announced the acquisition of Dutch sports marketing agency SportVibes.
The company also reported continued progress for Horizon Global, its operating joint venture with Horizon Media, citing an expanding commercial pipeline and new business wins. Havas increased its investment in AI company Vurvey Labs and continued deploying its Converged.AI operating system across the business.
Guidance remains unchanged
Havas confirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, forecasting organic net revenue growth of between 2.0 and 3.0 per cent and an adjusted EBIT margin of between 13.2 and 13.5 per cent. The Group also reiterated its target dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent and maintained its medium-term financial objectives for 2028.
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