Volvo Q3 adj op profit 14.1 bln SEK vs forecast 15.6 bln
Order intake and sales dip
Anticipates flat 2025 heavy truck markets in Europe, N. America

STOCKHOLM, Oct 18 Reuters Swedish truck maker AB Volvo forecast stagnant demand next year and posted a biggerthanexpected slide in quarterly adjusted earnings on Friday, after reduced freight and construction activity limited vehicle sales.

Truck makers have experienced a slowdown in demand as markets have normalised following historically high sales in 2023 when customers returned following the pandemic.

Volvo predicted that for 2025, European and North American heavy truck markets would total 290,000 and 300,000 vehicles, respectively, roughly unchanged from this year39;s expected fullyear sales.

Friday39;s set of numbers was the company39;s first quarterly report this year that did not beat expectations. Volvo shares fell 0.9 by 0727 GMT.

Adjusted operating profit for the third quarter was 14.1 billion crowns 1.34 billion against a yearearlier 19.3 billion and a mean forecast in an LSEG poll of analysts of 15.6 billion.

Volvo Group is the first of the European truck makers to report thirdquarter results, with Traton reporting late October and Daimler early November.

Volvo, which makes vehicles under brands such as Mack Trucks and Renault as well as its own name, said thirdquarter order intake for its heavyduty trucks fell 7 versus a year ago.

There is some uncertainty about the macroeconomic development in the…