Dulux maker AkzoNobel confirms full-year guidance

Oct 21 (Reuters) - Dulux paint maker Akzo Nobel on Wednesday confirmed its 2026 guidance after reporting slightly better-than-expected core profit for the third quarter, and said its planned merger with Axalta <AXTA.N> is expected to close in early 2027.

CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume said the $25 billion merger was "firmly on track" with regulatory approvals advancing. The two companies have offered remedies to secure EU antitrust approval, sources told Reuters in October

• Third-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were up 0.8% year-on-year to €388 million ($435.53 million). That compares with analysts' consensus of €387 million provided by the company.

• Akzo cited higher prices and its ongoing cost-cutting plan as drivers of third-quarter growth

• Adjusted EBITDA margin widened to 15.3% from 15.1%.

• The company confirmed its 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of €1.47 billion and mid-term targets.

($1 = 0.8909 euros)

(Reporting by Dimitri Rhodes in Gdansk, editing by Anna Pruchnicka)