Original-Research: q.beyond AG (von NuWays AG): BUY

^

Original-Research: q.beyond AG - from NuWays AG

13.05.2025 / 09:00 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS

Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The

result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an

invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classification of NuWays AG to q.beyond AG

Company Name: q.beyond AG

ISIN: DE0005137004

Reason for the research: Update

Recommendation: BUY

from: 13.05.2025

Target price: EUR 1.30

Target price on sight of: 12 months

Last rating change:

Analyst: Philipp Sennewald

Q1 in line as profitability improves further

Yesterday, QBY released a solid set of Q1 results, showing steady implied

sales growth as well as margin and cash generation expansion. In detail:

Q1 reported sales decreased by 1.5% yoy to EUR 46.6m (eNuW: EUR 46.5m). Mind

you, that QBY performed an accounting change this year, resulting in lower

reported sales, as the company only reports the profits from certain

customer relationships in accordance with IFRS 15. Taking this into account,

sales increased yoy by 2% according to management. In contrast to recent

quarters, this was predominantly driven by the Consulting segment, which

even grew 4.2% in reported sales to EUR 14.8m. More importantly though the

segment's gross margin was increased by 5.1pp yoy to 13.5%, which was mainly

caused by an increased near- and off-shoring ratio of 16% (� vs FY24), a

better utilization as well as a generally increased sales focus on

consulting and development. As the Managed Services gross margin also

slightly improved to 21.5% (.5pp yoy), overall gross margin improved by

1.8pp to 19.3% (EUR 8.9m gross profit).

Against this backdrop Q1 EBITDA increased disproportionately by 16.7% to EUR

2.3m (eNuW: EUR 2.5m), implying a 5% margin (.8pp yoy). This was even

negatively impacted by a EUR 0.3m one-off in connection with a customer

insolvency, which is largely explaining the gap to our estimate. Overall,

the improved gross margin should have been the main reason for the EBITDA

margin expansion.

The company was also able to convert 78% of EBITDA into FCF, resulting in a

EUR 1.8m FCF (.5% yoy). With this, net cash per Q1 amounted to EUR 28.3m

(incl. leases), providing the company with a comfortable M&A war chest.

Here, we expect at least one deal this year, which should either increase

the company's public sector exposure (e.g. health care, energy) or allow for

regional expansion.

On the back of the strong release, management also confirmed the FY25

guidance of EUR 184-190m sales (eNuW: EUR 190m), EUR 12-15m EBITDA (eNuW: EUR 14.7m)

as well as positive net income (eNuW: EUR 1.5m). In our view, Q1 should serve

investors with confidence, that QBY is able to deliver on the outlook and

might even achieve the upper end of it. Mind you, that Q4 is the seasonally

strongest quarter of the company.

Reiterate BUY with an unchanged EUR 1.30 PT based on DCF.

You can download the research here: http://www.more-ir.de/d/32570.pdf

For additional information visit our website:

https://www.nuways-ag.com/research-feed

Contact for questions:

NuWays AG - Equity Research

Web: www.nuways-ag.com

Email: research@nuways-ag.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysag

Adresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany

ﯯ뻻

Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss

bestimmter Börsengeschäfte.

Offenlegung möglicher Interessenskonflikte nach § 85 WpHG beim oben

analysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollständigen Analyse.

ﯯ뻻

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,

Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2135800 13.05.2025 CET/CEST

°