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Original-Research: INDUS Holding AG - from NuWays AG

Classification of NuWays AG to INDUS Holding AG

Company Name: INDUS Holding AG

ISIN: DE0006200108

Reason for the research: Update

Recommendation: Kaufen

from: 22.03.2024

Target price: EUR 36.00

Target price on sight of: 12 Monaten

Last rating change:

Analyst: Christian Sandherr

Strong FCF supports further growth; chg.

Topic: INDUS reported solid FY23 figures especially in light of the

currently challenging macro environment. Results are in line with the

preliminary numbers and FY23 guidance. Further, INDUS had its capital

markets day yesterday in Frankfurt. Here are the key takeaways:

FY23 sales came in at EUR 1.80bn, roughly unchanged from last year, despite a

difficult macro environment. While EBIT increased by 11.9% yoy to EUR 150m,

it is important to note that the impairments of EUR 19m in FY23 due to higher

interest rates were significantly lower compared to the EUR 43m in FY22.

Adjusted EBIT (excl. impairments) stood at EUR 169m (- 4.3% yoy) resulting in

an implied adj. EBIT margin of 9.4% (- 0.4pp yoy). For FY24e we expect no

further impairment of goodwill, as interest rates are seen to reached the

zenith.

FY23 sales in the Engineering segment increased slightly to EUR 600m (+ 3.2%

yoy; eNuW: EUR 590m) and adj. EBIT increased 1.5% to EUR 62m, leading to a

solid adj. margin of 10.4% (- 0.1 pp), supported by an improved situation

in measurement and control engineering due to an ease of the semiconductor

shortage in FY22. Sales in the Infrastructure segment came in at EUR 582m

(eNuW: EUR 588m), almost at the previous year's level (- 0.6% yoy). Adj. EBIT

came in at EUR 57m with a margin of 9.8% (-1.1 pp) and declined 11% due to

high costs for concrete and sand as well as a strong slowdown in the

construction sector. The Materials segment showed slightly lower sales of EUR

620m (- 2.7% yoy; eNuW: EUR 641m), as a result of lower sales prices and

volumes, while adj. EBIT was roughly

unchanged at EUR 64m (- 1.1% yoy), with a margin of 10.3% (-0.1 pp).

CMD feedback: Free cashflow in FY23 came in at EUR 199m and reached a new

record high, growing 96% yoy. However, cashflows were supported by a

reduction in working capital of EUR 30m during FY23 (FY22: + EUR 53m) and a EUR

15m inflow from the disposal of an office building. Supported by the strong

FCF, management intends to spend EUR 70m for acquisitions during FY24e. The

1.1m recently acquired treasury shares could serve as form of payment and

are not included in the EUR 70m budget. Hence, we expect to see more

acquisitions coming in this year, especially in the field of infrastructure

networks, automation and energy technologies. Considering the currently low

valuations of the German Mittelstand, this is a good opportunity to acquire

further niche players to fuel the growth for the coming years.

Attractive dividend yield: Management proposed a dividend of EUR 1.20 per

share (eNuW: EUR 1.20), making INDUS an attractive dividend stock with a

yield of 4.8% based on yesterday's closing price. Due to the divestment of

the loss-making automotive business in FY23 and an ongoing successful

operating business, we expect a further dividend rise for the current

fiscal year (eNuW: EUR 1.40). Mind you, INDUS plans to pay out up to 50% of

the group's net income. During the short- to mid-term, management plans to

grow EBIT to more than EUR 200m, which could lead to a dividend of EUR 1.90 per

share (40% payout), a 7.5% yield.

Valuation looks undemanding with shares trading at 4.4x EV/EBITDA 2024e

(26% below the 10y historical average) while offering 11% adj. FCF yield.

We reiterate BUY with an unchanged PT of EUR 36 based on FCFY 2024e.

You can download the research here:

http://www.more-ir.de/d/29225.pdf

For additional information visit our website

www.nuways-ag.com/research.

Contact for questions

Die Analyse oder weiterführende Informationen zu dieser können Sie hier downloaden: www.nuways-ag.com/research.

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

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The result of this research does not constitute investment advice

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