Intershop Communications AG reported a positive operating result for the first nine months of 2026, a turnaround that matters because it shows the company's cost-reduction strategy is working even as revenues decline. The Jena-based provider of agentic B2B commerce solutions generated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 0.2 million, compared with EUR -1.4 million in the same period last year. Revenue fell to EUR 23.4 million from EUR 25.2 million, but lower expenses more than offset the drop, according to the company's www.newmediawire.com release.
The result is significant because it marks the third consecutive quarter in which Intershop has posted a positive operating result. Third-quarter EBIT was EUR 45 thousand, up from EUR -0.5 million a year earlier. Total expenses, including cost of revenues and operating expenses, declined 13% to EUR 23.2 million from EUR 26.6 million, reflecting cost-cutting measures initiated in the previous year. Operating expenses and income fell 14% to EUR 11.1 million, with research and development down 6% to EUR 5.1 million, sales and marketing down 10% to EUR 4.2 million, and general administrative expenses down to EUR 2.2 million.
The strategic shift toward cloud is also bearing fruit. Cloud revenues rose 2% to EUR 15.7 million and now account for 67% of total revenues, six percentage points more than a year earlier. Incoming cloud orders jumped 29% to EUR 14.2 million, with new customers contributing EUR 3.7 million and existing customers EUR 10.5 million. Cloud annual recurring revenues stood at EUR 20.3 million as of 30 September 2026, up 3% year on year. Net new ARR, a key indicator of future growth, rose to EUR 0.5 million in the third quarter from EUR 0.2 million in the second, showing a clear upward trend.
CEO Markus Dränert said the positive trend from the first two quarters continues and that the company is on track to meet its full-year targets. He noted that customers' willingness to invest remains subdued but that the recovery that began at the end of 2025 remains stable. He also pointed to independent validation: in the Paradigm B2B Combine 2026, Intershop won top medals in 11 of 12 categories, which he said confirms the company's continued development into an agentic commerce platform.
Cash flow from operating activities improved significantly to EUR 3.6 million from EUR 1.6 million, and cash and cash equivalents rose by EUR 0.8 million to EUR 9.6 million. The equity ratio edged up to 37% from 36% at the end of 2025. Intershop confirmed its forecast for the 2026 financial year, expecting incoming cloud orders and net new ARR at the previous year's level, revenues to decline by a slightly smaller percentage than in the previous year, and a balanced operating result. The quarterly statement is available in the company's financial reports.
