Swisscom raises dividend, lifts 2026 outlook after Italy integration gains

Nov 4 (Reuters) - Swiss telecommunications provider Swisscom SCMN.S said on Thursday it plans to raise its dividend to 27 Swiss francs ($33.16) per share for 2026 from 26 francs previously and slightly lifted its 2026 outlook. • The company reported nine-month core earnings after lease expenses (EBITDAaL) of 3.83 billion Swiss francs, up from 3.77 billion a year earlier • Swisscom now expects operating free cash flow above 2 billion francs and leverage below 2.3x in 2026 • In Switzerland, revenue fell 0.6%, but adjusted EBITDAaL rose 1.2% thanks to cost-cutting and stronger IT services performance • In Italy, adjusted EBITDAaL increased 7.7% as Fastweb-Vodafone integration synergies continued to build despite a 2.2% revenue decline • The Vodafone Italia acquisition has transformed Swisscom into a two-market operator, with Italy now contributing on a similar scale to Switzerland

($1 = 0.8142 Swiss francs)