Maersk shares jump 8% after profit smashes estimates

Danish shipping giant Maersk raised its 2026 earnings guidance for the second time this year on August 13, 2026, citing strong demand and supply chain disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The company's shares jumped 7% shortly after the opening bell.

Maersk, widely seen as a barometer of global trade, reported preliminary underlying EBITDA of $3 billion for April to June, far above the $2.04 billion analysts expected in an LSEG-compiled consensus. CEO Vincent Clerc told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" that the result reflects "the incredible resilience of demand and the incredible resilience of the economy," with volumes continuing unabated despite war in the Middle East and U.S. tariffs.

The company is experiencing supply bottlenecks by land rather than by water around the world, which are causing congestion and pushing freight rates higher, according to Clerc. This dynamic has helped offset an additional $600 million in costs related to the Middle East conflict, primarily in fuel and energy.

German freight company Hapag-Lloyd also reported higher volumes and spot rates, with its shares rising 0.7% after results. CEO Rolf Habben Jansen told CNBC that performance was "materially better" than the first quarter and that "the market has been remarkably strong," leading to a more reasonable supply-demand balance than anticipated.

The upgraded guidance signals that shipping companies expect elevated freight rates and strong demand to persist through 2026, even as geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty continue to disrupt global supply chains.