Deutsche Bahn records first profit in seven years

Deutsche Bahn announced a net profit of €147 million for the first half of 2026, marking the company’s first profit since 2019. Revenue rose modestly by 1.8% to €13.6 billion, while passenger traffic reached over 960 million journeys, a 1.8% increase year‑on‑year. Investment surged 18% to €8.7 billion, the highest half‑year figure in the firm’s history.

The turnaround was driven primarily by a sharp reduction in losses from the DB Cargo freight division, which operated fewer trains and therefore incurred lower costs, rather than by a genuine surge in passenger demand or service improvements. CEO Evelyn Palla highlighted cost‑cutting measures, workforce reductions and the broader “DB 2035” restructuring plan as key factors behind the improved results.

Analysts note that while the profit headline is positive, it reflects a one‑off benefit from reduced freight activity rather than a sustainable trend in the core passenger business.