Mercedes-Benz Stock: China Slump and Cost Cuts Before Q3

Mercedes-Benz stock is under pressure from a sharp fall in China sales. Passenger-car sales there fell 31% in the third quarter, and the margin of the car division has slipped to around 4%. The share traded at €41.25 on Xetra at 13:48 CEST on 16 October 2026, according to Stock Analysis. That is about 31% below the 2025 closing price of €60.07, and the five-year table further down gives the longer context.

The next big test is the Mercedes-Benz Q3 2026 results on 28 October. Several banks have cut their price targets ahead of the report. Management is also pushing a large cost programme and has warned that two German plants could close. This article sets out the key numbers and the scenarios that markets may weigh after the report.

The information in this article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Mercedes-Benz Stock Today: The Main Answers

Why is Mercedes-Benz stock down in 2026?

Four factors stand out. Each one is covered in detail further down.

  • China passenger-car sales fell 31% to 86,800 units in Q3 2026.
  • Sales of the high-priced Top-End models dropped 21% in the same quarter.
  • The car division's adjusted return on sales was 4.0% in Q2, inside the 3% to 5% guidance range, according to the Q2 release.
  • Fresh labour tension in Germany has added uncertainty about the cost of the restructuring.

Where Does the Mercedes-Benz Share Price Stand Now?

The table below shows a market snapshot taken at one moment. Prices move during the session, so the figures may be different when you read this.

Item Value
Last price (Xetra, delayed) €41.25, up 3.3% on the day
Time of snapshot 16 October 2026, 13:48 CEST (12:48 BST)
Day's range at that time €40.20 to €41.37
Previous close (15 October) €39.94
52-week range €38.89 to €62.34
Volume at that time 1,050,799 shares
Market capitalisation about €37.96bn
Ticker and ISIN MBG, DE0007100000

Source: Stock Analysis, Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ETR:MBG) quote, 16 October 2026, 13:48 CEST. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

The 52-week low of €38.89 was set on 8 October. Der Aktionär described the October sell-off as the lowest level since 2020. The same outlet notes that the share has nearly halved from its 2024 high of €76.55.

Mercedes-Benz Stock 5 Year Performance

A single year can give a distorted picture. The next table shows the five full calendar years from 2021 to 2025. It shows the year-end close and the annual change. It also lists the dividend for each year.

Year Year-end close (€) Annual change EPS (€) Dividend per share (€) Dividend yield
2021 67.59 +16.96% 21.50 5.00 7.40%
2022 61.40 -9.16% 13.55 5.20 8.47%
2023 62.55 +1.87% 13.46 5.30 8.47%
2024 53.80 -13.99% 10.19 4.30 7.99%
2025 60.07 +11.65% 5.34 3.50 5.83%
2026 to date 41.25 (16 Oct, 13:48 CEST) about -31.3% n/a n/a n/a

Source: Börsengeflüster, Mercedes-Benz Group company profile (annual data 2021 to 2025) and Stock Analysis (2026 figure). Dividend yields are shown before taxes and costs, which may vary. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Over five years the share moved in a wide range. It gained in 2021, the year of the Daimler Truck spin-off, which also inflated EPS. Earnings then fell every year to 2025. The dividend followed them down, from €5.30 for 2023 to €3.50 for 2025.

Why Is Mercedes-Benz Stock Falling? The China Problem

China has long been a key market for Mercedes. That market is now the main source of pressure on Mercedes-Benz shares.

Mercedes-Benz China Sales Q3 2026

Region Q3 2026 units Change vs Q3 2025
Europe 168,700 +5%
of which Germany 58,300 +13%
Asia 132,300 -25%
of which China 86,800 -31%
North America 83,200 +4%
of which USA 75,300 +6%
Rest of the world 23,000 -8%
Mercedes-Benz Cars total 407,200 -8%

Source: MercedesBlog, Q3 2026 sales figures. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

China delivered 86,800 cars in the quarter, down from 125,100 a year earlier. Its share of the car division's sales has dropped to about 21%. Over nine months, China sales are down 29% to 297,000 units. Group sales outside China rose 2% in Q3, according to Finwire via Placera.

Mercedes-Benz Top-End Sales Lose Momentum

The Top-End segment includes Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach. It also covers the G-Class and the S-Class. Sales in this segment fell the most of all three segments in Q3.

Segment Q3 2026 units Change 9M 2026 units Change
Top-End 53,900 -21% 173,500 -12%
Core 234,200 -6% 731,500 -7%
Entry 119,200 -4% 339,400 -5%
BEV (all segments) 68,400 +61% 165,500 +40%

Source: MercedesBlog, Q3 2026 sales figures. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

The company also stopped publishing plug-in hybrid figures, citing weaker PHEV demand in China. Battery-electric sales hit a record and made up 16.8% of car sales. This may support the new model range. Its effect on profit should become clearer in the Q3 report.

Mercedes-Benz BAIC Joint Venture and Impairments

The Chinese partner BAIC Motor expects a net loss of up to RMB 1.65bn for the first half of 2026, as reported by KrASIA (Nikkei Asia). Mercedes booked a €704m impairment on its Chinese equity-method investments in Q2. That charge cut the reported EBIT of the car unit to €49m, according to the Q2 2026 results release. The impairment did not lead to a cash outflow.

Mercedes-Benz Margin and Earnings

Q2 2026 results in figures

Group metric Q2 2026 Q2 2025 Change H1 2026 H1 2025
Revenue €32.06bn €33.15bn -3.3% €63.66bn €66.38bn
EBIT €1.55bn €1.27bn +21.5% €3.45bn €3.56bn
Net profit €1.09bn €0.96bn +13.5% €2.52bn €2.69bn
Industrial free cash flow €1.10bn €1.87bn -40.9% €2.96bn €4.22bn
EPS €1.14 €0.95 +20.0% €2.63 €2.69

Source: Mercedes-Benz Group Q2 2026 results release, Business Wire. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Group EBIT rose in Q2 thanks to Financial Services and Vans. The car division moved the other way. Its adjusted EBIT fell 26% to €909m. Industrial free cash flow fell by about 41%, partly because of around €1.1bn of severance payments in the first half.

Cars margin trend

Period Mercedes-Benz Cars adjusted return on sales
FY2025 5.0%
Q1 2026 4.1%
Q2 2026 4.0%
FY2026 guidance 3% to 5%, lower half expected

Source: FY2025 results release, Hargreaves Lansdown on Q1 2026, Quartr Q2 2026 summary. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

On the Q2 call, management said it expects the Cars margin to land in the lower half of the range, as summarised by Quartr. A result below 3% would break the guidance. RBC analyst Tom Narayan sees that risk, according to finanztrends. The mid-term target for the Cars margin is 8% to 10%, as reported by Hargreaves Lansdown.

Mercedes-Benz Outlook 2026

Metric FY2025 actual FY2026 guidance (as of 28 July 2026)
Group revenue €132.2bn Slightly below prior year
Group EBIT €5.8bn Significantly above prior year
Industrial free cash flow €5.4bn Slightly below prior year
Cars unit sales about 1.80m Slightly below prior year
Cars adjusted return on sales 5.0% 3% to 5%
Cars xEV share n/a 23% to 25%
Vans adjusted return on sales 10.2% 8% to 10%

Source: FY2025 results release and Q2 2026 results release. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance.

In July the company cut the revenue and unit-sales guidance to "slightly below" 2025, according to the Q2 release. The EBIT target starts from a low base. Reported 2025 EBIT of €5.8bn was well below adjusted EBIT of €8.2bn because of one-off charges.

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Mercedes-Benz Cost Cutting Programme

Mercedes-Benz Next Level Performance Targets

The programme is called Next Level Performance. It aims to lower costs across the whole value chain. The company describes its targets in the FY2025 results release.

Measure Target or status
EBIT contribution in 2025 More than €3.5bn
Fixed costs Down 10% between 2024 and 2027
Global production capacity About 2.2m units by 2028
Capacity in Germany 900,000 units
Kecskemét, Hungary Up to 400,000 vehicles
COMPAS plant, Aguascalientes Mercedes assembly ends in 2026

Source: Mercedes-Benz Group FY2025 results release, Business Wire.

The cuts already show up in the accounts. In Q2 2026, general administrative expenses fell 14% and research and development spending fell 12%, according to the Q2 2026 results release. Press reports cited by MBpassion put the total savings goal at about €5bn a year by 2027. The company has not confirmed that figure.

Mercedes-Benz German Plant Closure Warning

Labour costs in Germany are now the most sensitive part of the plan. CEO Ola Källenius said after the Q2 results that Germany needs a "productivity offensive", as reported by IOL.

On 21 September, production chief Michael Schiebe spoke to workers at the Sindelfingen plant. The company shared excerpts of his speech. In them he said: "If we are unable to do this, we will have to close one German assembly plant and one German powertrain plant." The quote was reported by Reuters via TimesLIVE. Mercedes did not say which plants were at risk.

  • Management wants a return to a 40-hour week with the same pay, according to MBpassion.
  • The works council and IG Metall reject this demand, as the same report says.
  • An existing agreement rules out compulsory redundancies in Germany until the end of 2034, according to MBpassion.
  • About 5,500 employees left under the voluntary severance scheme between April 2025 and March 2026, MBpassion reports.
  • Finance chief Harald Wilhelm had earlier said that a German plant closure was not planned, as MBpassion notes.
A Q3 Cars margin below 3% on 28 October would put the company's full-year range of 3% to 5% under pressure. A guidance cut can weigh on a share more than a single weak quarter, although market reactions vary.

What the cost cuts could mean for the stock

Possible upside Possible downside
Lower fixed costs could lift margins when sales recover Severance costs absorb cash in the short term
A smaller capacity base could raise plant utilisation Strikes or protests could disrupt production
A labour deal could remove a source of uncertainty Plant closures could damage relations with unions and politicians
Cost savings could support the dividend Savings may be eaten up by lower prices in China

Source: Admirals summary based on the FY2025 results release and TimesLIVE (Reuters).

Mercedes-Benz Tariffs and Trade Policy

The 25% Tariff Threat

US trade policy has added volatility for German auto stocks in 2026. The table lists the main steps this year.

Date Event
1 May 2026 President Trump says he plans to raise US tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25%
4 May 2026 Bernstein estimates the extra 10 points could cost German carmakers about €2.6bn of operating profit
16 June 2026 The European Parliament approves the US-EU tariff deal, which sets a 15% rate

Source: Channels TV, TimesLIVE (Reuters), Newswav (AP).

Mercedes builds cars in the US at its Tuscaloosa plant, which may soften the effect. US car sales grew 6% in Q3, according to MercedesBlog. Tariff policy has changed quickly in the past. Traders often watch for new statements from Washington around results.

EU Cap on Chinese Hybrid Imports

The EU and China agreed to cap imports of Chinese hybrid cars at 350,000 a year, as reported by Briefs. The cap starts in December 2026. It may ease price pressure on European carmakers at home. It does little for Mercedes' sales inside China.

Mercedes-Benz Valuation and Shareholder Returns

Mercedes-Benz Valuation Snapshot

Metric Value
Trailing P/E about 7.8 at €41.25, on trailing EPS of €5.28
Forward P/E about 6.8
Trailing dividend €3.50 per share
Trailing dividend yield about 8.5% at €41.25
Payout ratio (dividend vs FY2025 EPS of €5.34) about 65%
Industrial net liquidity (30 June 2026) €30.4bn, about 80% of market value

Source: Stock Analysis (16 October 2026, 13:48 CEST) and Q2 2026 results release. The dividend yield is shown before taxes and costs, which may vary. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

A low P/E can signal value. It can also signal that the market expects earnings to fall further. Our guide to the price-earnings ratio explains both readings.

Dividend Outlook and the Risk of a Cut

The Mercedes-Benz dividend yield of about 8.5% looks high. That figure is before taxes and costs, which may vary. It is based on the past dividend. The dividend for 2025 was cut to €3.50 from €4.30, according to the FY2025 results release. The company has not given dividend guidance for 2026.

If earnings stay near 2025 levels, the payout could come under review again. This is an assessment, and the outcome depends on results and board decisions.

The Mercedes-Benz 1 Billion Buyback

The Mercedes-Benz investor relations page gives the details of the new programme.

  • The buyback started on 1 September 2026.
  • It is scheduled to finish by 6 April 2027.
  • The company may repurchase up to 58 million shares for up to €1bn.
  • Between 21 and 25 September it bought 895,000 shares for about €38.1m, as reported by Kapitalmarktexperten.

Buybacks can support demand for a share. They do not change the operating trend. Our article on share buybacks and dividends explains how each method returns cash.

Mercedes-Benz Stock Forecast: What Analysts Say

Mercedes-Benz Analyst Price Target Cuts

Firm Rating Price target Date
RBC Sector Perform Cut to €44 from €54 14 Oct 2026
Jefferies Buy Cut to €46 12 Oct 2026
HSBC Buy Cut to €61 from €63 9 Oct 2026
UBS Neutral Cut to €45 from €50 9 Oct 2026
Exane BNP Paribas Underperform Cut to €38.60 from €46 9 Oct 2026
Deutsche Bank Research n/a Cut to €70 reported 3 Oct 2026
Morgan Stanley Overweight Raised to €59 from €58 14 Sep 2026
Bernstein Market Perform €56 14 Sep 2026
Consensus (Stock Analysis) Buy Average €53.20 16 Oct 2026

Source: finanztrends (RBC), Goldesel (Jefferies), Goldesel (HSBC, UBS, Exane), Kapitalmarktexperten (Deutsche Bank), stock3 (Morgan Stanley, Bernstein), Stock Analysis (consensus). Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The spread of views is wide. The lowest target in the table is €38.60 and the highest is €70. Most of the recent changes were cuts. Price targets are opinions of individual analysts, and they change often.

Will Mercedes-Benz Stock Recover?

The answer cannot be known in advance. Some analysts see value in the low P/E and the cash pile. Others expect China and the margin squeeze to keep earnings under pressure. The Q3 report and the comments on 2027 are likely to shape the next round of target changes.

Mercedes-Benz Stock Technical Analysis

Moving averages and momentum

Indicator Value Price at 13:48 CEST vs indicator
50-day moving average €43.96 about 6% below
200-day moving average €49.83 about 17% below
RSI (14) 47.02 Neutral zone
20-day average volume 2,437,024 shares Session volume so far about 43% of it

Source: Stock Analysis, MBG statistics, 16 October 2026. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

The price sits below both averages. The 50-day line is also below the 200-day line, a pattern that technical analysts often read as a downtrend.

Mercedes-Benz Stock Support and Resistance

Level Type Why it matters
about €48 Resistance The recovery from late June stalled here in early August
€45.60 Resistance Former key support, broken in June
€43.96 Resistance 50-day moving average
€42.62 Resistance June 2026 low
€38.89 Support 52-week low of 8 October 2026
about €36 Support Next major downside target named by stock3

Source: stock3 analysis (14 September 2026) and Stock Analysis. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Traders often watch whether the price can close above the June low near €42.62. A daily close below €38.89 would mark a new low for the year. Neither move is certain, and false breaks are common around results.

Mercedes-Benz Stock vs BMW Stock and VW

Mercedes is part of a wider group of European car stocks under pressure. BMW and Volkswagen face the same China slowdown. Our Volkswagen stock forecast covers the VW side in detail.

Company Next results Main shared risk
Mercedes-Benz Group 28 October 2026 (Q3) China premium demand
Volkswagen Group 29 October 2026 (9M), webcast 09:00 CET China volumes
BMW 3 November 2026 (Q3), time to be confirmed China premium demand

Source: Mercedes-Benz investor events, Volkswagen Group, 9M results 2026, MarketScreener, BMW calendar.

In June 2026, a profit warning from BMW pulled Mercedes down by about 3% on the same day, according to Investing.com. Peer results can move the whole sector.

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Mercedes-Benz Q3 2026 Results Preview

What to watch on 28 October

The company lists the Interim Report Q3 2026 and the analyst call on 28 October. Exact times were not yet published on 16 October. Analysts often focus on these points.

  • The Cars adjusted return on sales compared with the 3% floor.
  • Any change to the full-year guidance for Cars.
  • Comments on pricing and stock levels in China.
  • Industrial free cash flow after severance payments.
  • Progress on the labour talks in Germany.
  • Any new impairment on Chinese investments.

Benchmarks from the last two quarters

Item Q1 2026 Q2 2026 Guidance
Cars adjusted return on sales 4.1% 4.0% 3% to 5%, lower half
China sales change -27% China H1 -28% n/a
Industrial free cash flow about €1.86bn €1.10bn Slightly below €5.4bn for FY

Source: Hargreaves Lansdown, KrASIA, Q2 2026 results release. Q1 free cash flow derived from H1 minus Q2. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Mercedes-Benz Stock Scenarios

The three paths below are illustrative. They show how the share could react under different outcomes. They are not predictions.

Scenario Possible triggers Levels that may come into focus
Relief rally Cars margin at or above 4% with guidance confirmed €42.62, then €44 to €46
Sideways range Margin of 3% to 4%, guidance held at the low end Between €38.89 and €44
New lows Margin below 3% with a cut to guidance Below €38.89, with €36 named by stock3

Source: Admirals illustration based on company guidance, stock3 levels and RBC comments. Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Each scenario carries risk. A relief rally can fade if the outlook for 2027 disappoints. A sell-off can reverse quickly if the market sees the bad news as priced in.

Mercedes-Benz Stock Key Dates

Date Event
28 October 2026 Mercedes-Benz Interim Report Q3 2026 and analyst call
28 October to 4 November 2026 Mercedes post-results investor roadshows
29 October 2026 ECB rate decision at 14:15 CET
29 October 2026 Volkswagen 9M results
December 2026 EU cap on Chinese hybrid imports starts
6 April 2027 Latest end date of the €1bn buyback

Source: Mercedes-Benz investor events, Admirals ECB preview, Volkswagen Group, Briefs, Mercedes-Benz buyback page.

The ECB decision lands one day after the results, so the last week of October may be a busy one for German shares. The Admirals economic calendar lists the macro releases for those days.

Mercedes-Benz Stock Risks and Opportunities

Opportunities Risks
Trailing P/E of about 7.8 Earnings could fall further in 2026 and 2027
€30.4bn industrial net liquidity Cash flow is under pressure from severance payments
Record electric car sales in Q3 Battery-electric cars are still only 16.8% of car sales
Several European plants run three shifts China sales fell 31% in Q3
The €1bn buyback runs to April 2027 A dividend cut is possible if profits stay weak
The EU hybrid cap may ease competition in Europe US tariff policy can change quickly

Source: Admirals summary based on the Q2 2026 results release and MercedesBlog Q3 2026 sales.

How to Trade Mercedes-Benz Stock

Ways to gain exposure

Admirals offers the opportunity to trade CFDs on shares, Forex, indices and commodities, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and stocks. Its contract specifications list Mercedes-Benz Group AG (MBG.DE) on Xetra in the Classic Stocks range. That range belongs to the stock and ETF investing offer. Availability can depend on the account type and region.

Mercedes is one of the DAX companies, as Der Aktionär notes. Some traders follow the index through CFDs on indices. Our guide to DAX trading explains how the index works.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Managing risk around results

Share prices can gap sharply on results days. Traders often take some of these steps.

  • Some traders reduce position size before a results release.
  • Some set stop-loss orders, although these may not be filled at the chosen price in a gap.
  • Others wait for the analyst call before they act.
  • A demo account uses virtual funds, and results may differ from live trading.

Cyclical shares like carmakers often react strongly to the economic cycle. Our article on cyclical stocks explains why.

Bottom Line

Mercedes-Benz shares are about 31% lower in 2026 at the 16 October snapshot. China is the main reason, with sales down 31% in Q3. The car division's margin was 4.0% in Q2, and management expects the full year in the lower half of its range.

The cost programme already shows in the accounts, although its labour side has become tense. The low P/E and the cash position stand out on paper. Both depend on profits holding up. The Q3 report on 28 October is the next clear test for the share.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Mercedes-Benz Stock Down?

China sales fell 31% in Q3 2026. Car margins slipped to 4.0% in Q2, inside a 3% to 5% range.

How Much Has Mercedes-Benz Stock Fallen?

At €41.25 at 13:48 CEST on 16 October 2026, the share was about 31% below the 2025 close of €60.07.

When are the Mercedes-Benz Q3 2026 results?

Mercedes-Benz plans to publish its third-quarter 2026 interim report on 28 October, followed by an analyst call.

Is Mercedes-Benz Stock Undervalued?

The trailing P/E is about 7.8, which looks low, but earnings may fall further, so views differ widely.

Will Mercedes-Benz cut dividend payments again?

The company has not given dividend guidance for 2026, so the outcome depends on full-year profits and board decisions.

When Is the Mercedes-Benz Dividend Paid?

Mercedes usually pays its dividend after the annual general meeting in spring, and the last ex-date was 17 April 2026.

What Is the Mercedes-Benz Market Cap?

Mercedes-Benz Group was worth about €37.96bn at 13:48 CEST on 16 October 2026, based on 920.14 million shares.

What Are Analysts Saying About Mercedes-Benz Stock?

Recent targets in our table range from €38.60 at Exane BNP Paribas to €70 at Deutsche Bank, mostly after cuts.

Some of the content on this page was created with the help of automated tools. All final text has been reviewed by Admirals and is under its editorial responsibility.

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