Italian yacht manufacturer Ferretti announced a 6.7% increase in its core profit for the full year, as well as a 47% jump in orders of made-to measure?yachts.

Last year, adjusted?earnings prior to interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA), a measure of earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation, grew to 202.8 millions euros ($238.7million). Order backlog by 2025 was 1.72 billion euro, an increase of 14.5% compared to end-September. The majority of the new orders, 608.1 million euros worth, was for custom yachts.

In a press release, CEO Alberto Galassi stated that 2025 was a challenging year in the global yachting industry. Companies with industrial vision and financial discipline and strategic consistency stand out in these highly selective conditions.

He said during a conference call with analysts that 2026 will be the year of acquisitions. "There are incredible opportunities" on the market, he said.

Ferretti, he said, had pursued "one opportunity" for more than six to seven months. He expects that the new board of directors will address this issue. He said that a new board will be in place by 2026, and the company's strategy could change dramatically or stay the same. The Czech investment group KKCG made an offer in January worth up to 182 millions euros?to essentially double its 14.5% share of Ferretti, and to change the board appointed by the Chinese controlling shareholder. However, the Chinese controlling shareholder later announced that it would not support the bid, but could increase its own stake.

Ferretti's Board appointed Altus Capital Limited on 'Tuesday' as an independent financial adviser to assist the committee evaluating KKCG’s 'offer'.

After the results, shares of the company rose by up to 5.9% and reached their highest ever price at 4,09 euros.

(source: Reuters)