Securitas AB reported on Thursday that it achieved its full-year operating margin target ahead of schedule, reaching 8.1% in the third quarter.
The margin was up from 7.5% in the same period a year earlier, a result of what the security services company called strong strategic execution across its business segments.
"We achieved an important milestone in the third quarter, delivering an operating margin exceeding 8 percent," President and CEO Magnus Ahlqvist said in a statement.
The Swedish company's total sales for the quarter fell to 38.52 billion kronor from 40.23 billion kronor a year ago.
Earnings per share dropped to 1.09 kronor from 2.03 kronor, weighed down by a charge of 1.46 billion kronor related to the planned closure of a U.S. government infrastructure business.
Excluding such items, earnings per share rose to 3.34 kronor from 3.05 kronor, the company said.
Securitas noted that while organic sales growth met expectations, real sales growth in its technology and solutions division was below its targets and would be a priority in the coming quarters.
The company said the close-down of the government business is progressing as planned and is expected to be largely completed by the end of 2026.