Ferretti CEO shows interest in M&A following growth in annual core profits

Italian luxury yacht manufacturer Ferretti has reported a 6.7% increase in its core profit and a significant 47% surge in orders for tailored yachts in the past year. The company’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation (EBITDA) reached 202.8 million euros ($238.7 million). The order backlog for 2025 amounted to 1.72 billion euros, a notable 14.5% rise from the end of September. Among the new orders, custom yachts accounted for 608.1 million euros in value.

CEO Alberto Galassi acknowledged that 2025 was a testing year for the global yachting industry. He emphasized that companies displaying industrial foresight, financial prudence, and strategic coherence are the ones that excel in such demanding circumstances. During a conference call with analysts, Galassi hinted at a potential year of acquisitions in 2026, highlighting the promising opportunities that lie ahead.

Galassi revealed that Ferretti has been exploring a specific opportunity for over six to seven months. He expressed optimism that the new board of directors, set to be established in 2026, will address this matter decisively. The company received a proposal in January from the Czech investment group KKCG, offering up to 182 million euros to double its existing 14.5% stake in Ferretti and replace the board designated by the Chinese majority shareholder. However, the Chinese shareholder later declared non-support for the bid, though it did not rule out the possibility of increasing its own stake.

In response to these developments, Ferretti’s Board engaged Altus Capital Limited as an independent financial advisor on a Tuesday to aid in the evaluation of KKCG’s offer. Following the announcement of the company’s positive results, its shares surged by up to 5.9% and achieved a record high price of 4.09 euros.

Galassi’s foresight and strategic leadership have positioned Ferretti as a dominant player in the luxury yacht market. The company’s commitment to excellence and innovation has enabled it to navigate through challenging industry conditions successfully. Looking ahead to 2026, Ferretti’s appetite for mergers and acquisitions signals a bold move towards expansion and growth in the global yacht manufacturing industry. As the company prepares for potential changes in its strategic direction under a new board of directors, the market eagerly anticipates Ferretti’s next steps in pursuing exciting opportunities and driving continued success.