FedEx target InPost to speed up investments regardless of takeover bid

By Olivier Cherfan

May 13 (Reuters) - InPost INPST.AS said on Wednesday it planned to accelerate investments regardless of the outcome of the FedEx-led takeover bid, after the parcel locker firm's first-quarter earnings beat market expectations.

InPost is the target of a potential 7.8 billion euro ($9.1 billion) bid from a consortium led by FedEx FDX.N and holding firm Advent International. The offer was announced in February, with about 48% of shares already committed. The deal has the support of InPost's board, but it requires at least 80% acceptance to go through.

The parties have said they expect the potential deal to be closed in the second half of 2026.

"Whether the tender offer happens or not, we intend to spend even more (in the coming quarters)," InPost CEO Rafał Brzoska told reporters during a post-earnings call.

"We are a company that will spend every euro earned on further growth, and our shareholders need to get used to that," he added.

InPost's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were 902.2 million zlotys ($249.0 million) in the first quarter, beating a company-compiled consensus of 856 million zlotys, as growth in Poland and the euro zone helped offset the costs of integrating Yodel in Britain.

Yodel integration costs stem mainly from a parcel transformation in Britain, through measures such as optimising costs per parcel and consolidating logistics networks, following the 2025 acquisition.

InPost's director of investor relations, Gabriela Burdach, said the company expected its UK business to break even in the third quarter of 2026 and turn slightly profitable in the fourth.

The Polish company handled 359 million parcels in the first quarter, up 32% from a year ago, as Yodel's consolidation led to a 220% surge in the UK and Ireland, while euro zone volumes grew 28% and those of Poland jumped 8%.

It confirmed its full-year targets and said it expected mid- to high-teens volume growth in the second quarter.

The company's shares, which have been floating slightly below the communicated offer price of 15.60 euros since February, remained flat on Wednesday.

($1 = 3.6231 zlotys)

($1 = 0.8540 euros)