Mainfreight expects profit above market consensus, cites tariff impacts

Mainfreight (NZX: MFT) has announced that its full-year accounts for the period ending March 31, 2025, are currently being finalized, with expectations that profit before tax will surpass market consensus at NZ$375 million, and sales revenues will exceed expectations at NZ$5.1 billion. The company noted that trading within its Air & Ocean division was in line with prior years in April, but was disrupted by Easter and ANZAC day holidays. Mainfreight is observing a reduction in forward sea freight bookings for May on the Transpacific trade route from China to the USA, with clients delaying bookings due to tariff negotiation uncertainties. The Transpacific trade lane constitutes roughly 10% of Mainfreight's total Air & Ocean freight volume. The company expects tonnage reductions on the Transpacific route will continue as trade negotiations remain uncertain. Mainfreight anticipates its USA division will contribute approximately 7% of group profit before tax. Full financial results will be released on May 29, 2025.