Original-Research: q.beyond AG - from NuWays AG 01.10.2025 / 09:00 CET / CEST Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group.
01.10.2025 - 09:00:27Original-Research: q.beyond AG (von NuWays AG): BUY
Original-Research: q.beyond AG - from NuWays AG 01.10.2025 / 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: 01.10.2025 Target price: EUR 1.30 Target price on sight of: 12 months Last rating change: Analyst: Philipp Sennewald Conference feedback: Capital allocation in investor's focus Here are the key takeaways from our annual Paris conference in Paris (CEO attendance): Data centre currently not for sale: In the past years, discussions intensified around the possible disposal of the company's data centre in Hamburg. The asset has a book value of EUR 15m (eNuW), implying significant hidden reserves given an estimated market value of EUR 40m, (at 70% utilization). Management's goal is to rent out the remaining computing power by YE26. With this, the market value should increase to EUR 60m (eNuW). Mr Rixen stated that it could be sensible to keep the asset, given the increased demand of German SMEs for domestic computing power due to data sovereignty discussions. In our view, this could pose as a strategic advantage for QBY going forward, which is seen to result in increased pricing power given the general supply constraints. Besides this, capital allocation was in the centre of discussions, driven by the company's net cash position of EUR 40m (eNuW for FY25). Here, management provided a clear priority ranking: 1. M&A: Following the example set with the logineer transaction (via JV with Roehlig Logistics), the company aims to enter new verticals via acquiring industry expertise, handing them a competitive advantage over more generalist peers. To be more precise, QBY is seen to focus on the energy and healthcare sector. The CEO further underscored that targets should be in the EUR 10-20m sales range and 10% EBITDA margin ballpark. Multiples in the sector are currently compressing and are now seen to be in the range of 5-6x EV/EBITDA. Note that future M&A is not reflected in our model, which why any transaction would provide upside to our estimates. While we expect no deal to be announced during the remainder of FY25, H1'26e is likely to provide newsflow in this regard. 2. Share buy-backs: From FY26 onwards, management intends to launch a share buy-back program, capitalizing on the depressed valuation of the shares. While this should deliver solid EPS accretion for investors, it would also provide a possible M&A currency. On the other hand, we see the risk of further reducing liquidity, which could hinder the stock from realizing its fair value. 3. Dividends. Management currently prioritizes share buy-backs over dividends, given the more attractive return at the current valuation - a stance we consider sensible. While we would not rule out future payouts, we do not include them in our estimates for now. Aside from this, current trading remains on track, with management confident regarding FY25 and mid-term outlook. H1'25 already showed encouraging progress: gross margin rose to 20% (Q2), consulting margins more than doubled to 15%, and EBITDA rose to EUR 2.7m in Q2, underlining the shift toward higher-margin business and the benefits of the transformation. Going forward, margin expansion will be driven by AI integration (incl. the new "Private Enterprise AI" platform), expanded Security services (Cyber Defence Center Riga), increased near- and offshoring (already at 17%, with >=20% FY25 target), and a focused industry-specific business model. Reiterate BUY with an unchanged PT of EUR 1.30 based on DCF. You can download the research here: https://eqs-cockpit.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=1ac8b6960f2cc8801d02345b4ac5ea7f 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 ++++++++++ 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. ++++++++++ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2206466 01.10.2025 CET/CEST