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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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Offenlegung möglicher Interessenskonflikte nach § 85 WpHG beim oben analysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollständigen Analyse.
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research.
The result of this research does not constitute investment advice
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Quelle: dpa-AFX