Sopra Steria: Revenue up 7.9% in third quarter, 2026 growth target raised
Sopra Steria published on October 29, 2026 revenue of €1,420.1 million for the third quarter, up 7.9%. Organic growth reached 4.3%, compared to 3.0% in the first half, and the group raised its organic growth target for 2026 for the second time this year.
The quarterly figure exceeds the average expectations of two analysts, who had anticipated €1.38 billion. The cessation of the SFT program, planned since early 2023, further reduced organic growth by 2.1 percentage points. Excluding this effect, it stands at 6.4%, compared to 4.9% in the first half.
Defence, aeronautics and cybersecurity lead growth
Adjusted for exchange rate effects (+€11.4 million) and scope effects (+€33.8 million), quarterly growth came in at 4.3% on an organic basis. The quarter benefited from one additional working day compared to 2025.
Among the group's main strategic markets, defence-security-space and aeronautics each grew by 13%, cybersecurity by 18% and consulting by 7%. In its publication on July 29, 2026, the group reported +12% in aeronautics and +10% in defence-security-space.
France, which accounts for 45% of revenue, achieved €638.4 million, with organic growth of 6.1%. The energy and telecommunications sector continued to contract, while other verticals progressed, particularly the public sector, which accounts for approximately 15% of the division.
Excluding SFT, Europe grows 5.7%; United Kingdom benefits from a low comparison base
In the United Kingdom (16% of the group), revenue reached €232.3 million, with organic growth of 8.2%. This progression is supported by a favorable comparison effect, as activity declined by 9.5% in the third quarter of 2025.
As comparison effects reverse, the group indicates that British revenue is expected to decline in the fourth quarter. The entire second half should nevertheless remain relatively stable compared to that of 2025.
The Europe division (33% of the group) posted revenue of €462.1 million (-0.3% on an organic basis). This total incorporates the decline of SFT, whose revenues fell from €32.7 million to €6.6 million; excluding this program, the division grows by 5.7% on an organic basis, to €455.4 million.
The Solutions division (6% of the group) grew by 7.5% on an organic basis, to €87.3 million. Over nine months, the group's revenue reached €4,379.0 million, up 5.3%, of which +3.4% on an organic basis.
At the end of September 2026, headcount stands at 52,814 people including recent acquisitions, compared to 50,768 a year earlier, while the attrition rate is 13.8%, compared to 15.3% on September 30, 2025.
2026 organic growth target raised to between +2.5% and +3.0%
The group justifies this increase by the growth recorded in the third quarter and its prospects for the fourth quarter. Sopra Steria now targets organic growth of between +2.5% and +3.0% in 2026, compared to +2.0% to +2.5% since the first half publication.
This range incorporates a non-recurring dilutive impact of approximately 2 percentage points related to the cessation of SFT. Other objectives are confirmed: an operating margin rate of at least 9.5% and a net free cash flow of approximately 5% of revenue.
On the capital side, 271,471 shares, representing 1.4% of capital, were cancelled on October 28, 2026, following the €40 million share buyback program conducted from May 27 to July 29, 2026.
On the scope side, the acquisition of Digital Product Simulation, intended to strengthen PLM (product lifecycle management) activities, has been finalized and has been consolidated since August 1, 2026; it generated approximately €12 million in revenue in 2025.
Completion of the acquisition of the Manufacturing Engineering business of Daher Industrial Services, announced on May 28, 2026, is expected soon.
In the third quarter, underlying organic growth, excluding SFT, stood at 6.4%, compared to 4.9% in the first half.
