Tinexta — Weak Q324 but valuation appears too pessimistic

Tinexta (MIL: TNXT)

Last close As at 03/12/2024

EUR7.79

−0.11 (−1.39%)

Market capitalisation

EUR368m

More on this equity

Research: TMT

Tinexta — Weak Q324 but valuation appears too pessimistic

Tinexta’s weak Q324 results from its Cyber Security (CS) and Business Innovation (BI) divisions have prompted management to downgrade financial guidance for FY24 for the second time this year. We also take a more cautious stance on expected growth in FY25 and FY26. The c 60% decline in the share price in 2024, versus cumulative underlying downgrades of 16% to FY24e adjusted EBITDA, reflects investor concerns about two of Tinexta’s most significant acquisitions in recent years, the CS division and ABF Groupe. An improvement in performance from either would be helpful for sentiment, which appears overly pessimistic.

Russell Pointon

Written by

Russell Pointon

Director of Content, Consumer and Media

TMT

Tinexta

Weak Q324 but valuation appears too pessimistic

Q324 results

Professional services

13 November 2024

Price

€7.73

Market cap

€355m

Net debt (€m) at 30 September 2024

305.6

Shares in issue

45.9m

Free float

44.3%

Code

TNXT

Primary exchange

Euronext STAR MIlan

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

(33.2)

(31.3)

(54.4)

Rel (local)

(31.9)

(34.6)

(61.2)

52-week high/low

€20.52

€7.73

Business description

Tinexta provides innovative solutions for the digital transformation and growth of companies, professionals and institutions. It has three divisions: Digital Trust, Business Innovation and Cyber Security.

Next events

FY24 results

6 March 2025

Q125 results

15 May 2025

Analysts

Russell Pointon

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Dan Ridsdale

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Tinexta is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Tinexta’s weak Q324 results from its Cyber Security (CS) and Business Innovation (BI) divisions have prompted management to downgrade financial guidance for FY24 for the second time this year. We also take a more cautious stance on expected growth in FY25 and FY26. The c 60% decline in the share price in 2024, versus cumulative underlying downgrades of 16% to FY24e adjusted EBITDA, reflects investor concerns about two of Tinexta’s most significant acquisitions in recent years, the CS division and ABF Groupe. An improvement in performance from either would be helpful for sentiment, which appears overly pessimistic.

Year end

Revenue (€m)

PBT*
(€m)

EPS*
(€)

DPS
(€)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/22

357.2

73.6

1.06

0.51

7.3

6.6

12/23

395.8

78.0

1.03

0.46

7.5

6.0

12/24e

468.9

81.2

1.01

0.12

7.7

1.5

12/25e

513.8

94.5

1.19

0.26

6.5

3.3

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

Two weak divisions

Tinexta reported underlying revenue growth of 4.5% y-o-y to €102.7m and adjusted EBITDA growth of 8.6% to €21.6m in Q324. While Digital Trust continued to generate good underlying growth (revenue +7.6% and adjusted EBITDA +14.8%), CS (revenue +0.4%, adjusted EBITDA +19.3%) and BI (revenue +4.6% and adjusted EBITDA -9.5%) were disappointing. Management believes general weakness in the market continues to affect sales of higher-margin products for CS. BI’s underlying growth reflects the previously flagged delays to new, subsidised finance programmes. This is compounded by the ongoing weak performance by ABF Groupe in France due to political changes and budgetary constraints.

Second downgrade to FY24 guidance

Following the downgrades to FY24 guidance at the time of the H124 results, mostly due to ABF Groupe, management has further reduced guidance to revenue growth of 14–16% (from 20%) and adjusted EBITDA growth of 10–12% (from 22%). This excludes the contribution from the recently acquired Defence Tech Holding (DTH). Including DTH, which adds 4% to revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth, management guides to growth of 18–20% for revenue and 14–16% for adjusted EBITDA. We incorporate DTH and move our FY24 forecasts towards the bottom end of management guidance. We also reduce our growth expectation for CS and BI in FY26 and FY27 to give downgrades for total EBITDA of 7–8% for FY24–26.

Valuation: Overly pessimistic

The change to estimates leads to a reduction in our discounted cash flow (DCF) based valuation to €22.5 per share (€27 previously). A reverse DCF using a weighted average cost of capital of 8% and terminal growth rate of 2% suggests the share price is discounting an overly pessimistic outlook: a revenue decline of 9% per year in FY26–33 with a flat EBITDA margin (26.7%) post FY26, which leads to EBITDA halving from FY26 to FY33.

Exhibit 1: Financial summary

€m

2021

2022

2023

2024e

2025e

2026e

31-December

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

INCOME STATEMENT

Revenue

 

 

301.5

357.2

395.8

468.9

513.8

550.1

Operating costs

(225.1)

(262.4)

(292.8)

(351.5)

(380.5)

(403.5)

Adj. EBITDA

 

 

76.5

94.8

103.0

117.5

133.3

146.6

EBITDA

 

 

71.3

86.3

93.8

105.0

124.3

137.6

Operating profit (before amort. and excepts.)

 

 

61.1

77.6

79.6

90.4

104.7

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

(11.0)

(17.5)

(17.9)

(29.9)

(28.4)

(27.6)

Exceptionals

(2.6)

(6.4)

(5.0)

(7.5)

(4.5)

(4.5)

Share-based payments

(2.6)

(2.1)

(4.2)

(5.0)

(4.5)

(4.5)

Reported operating profit

45.0

51.6

52.4

48.0

67.3

80.6

Net Interest

(3.1)

(6.2)

(1.6)

(9.0)

(10.0)

(8.0)

Joint ventures & associates (post tax)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(0.2)

Exceptionals

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

57.5

73.6

78.0

81.2

94.5

109.0

Profit Before Tax (reported)

 

 

41.7

45.1

50.6

38.8

57.1

72.4

Reported tax

(13.0)

(12.5)

(16.4)

(12.8)

(18.8)

(23.9)

Profit After Tax (norm)

40.3

52.2

54.5

54.4

63.3

73.0

Profit After Tax (reported)

28.7

32.6

34.3

26.0

38.3

48.5

Minority interests

(1.2)

(2.4)

(6.9)

(7.9)

(8.6)

(9.5)

Discontinued operations

10.0

45.5

35.6

0.0

0.0

0.0

Net income (normalised)

39.1

49.8

47.6

46.5

54.7

63.5

Net income (reported)

37.5

75.7

63.0

18.1

29.6

39.0

Average Number of Shares Outstanding (m)

47.2

46.8

46.4

46.3

46.0

45.8

EPS - normalised (c)

 

 

84.7

108.5

104.6

102.6

121.2

141.6

EPS - normalised fully diluted (c)

 

 

82.8

106.4

102.5

100.6

118.8

138.8

EPS - basic reported (€)

 

 

0.81

1.65

1.38

0.40

0.66

0.87

Dividend (c)

30.00

51.00

46.00

11.75

25.74

34.06

Revenue growth (%)

12.1

18.4

10.8

18.5

9.6

7.1

EBITDA Margin before non-recurring costs (%)

25.4

26.5

26.0

25.0

25.9

Normalised Operating Margin

20.3

21.7

20.1

19.3

20.4

21.3

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

602.9

574.0

654.7

867.1

852.7

842.1

Intangible Assets

550.4

487.3

541.4

760.4

752.2

746.1

Tangible Assets

25.2

48.4

51.2

44.7

38.4

33.9

Investments & other

27.4

38.3

62.1

62.1

62.1

62.1

Current Assets

 

 

213.2

403.5

364.4

226.2

260.6

294.1

Stocks

1.3

1.9

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

Debtors

119.5

129.5

148.3

176.0

192.8

206.5

Cash & cash equivalents

68.3

115.3

161.7

(4.3)

13.3

33.2

Other financial assets

4.1

125.8

26.0

26.0

26.0

26.0

Other

20.0

31.0

26.4

26.4

26.4

26.4

Current Liabilities

 

 

(207.5)

(260.9)

(314.2)

(328.6)

(330.0)

(331.2)

Creditors

(146.8)

(156.4)

(184.2)

(203.6)

(209.9)

(216.2)

Tax and social security

(3.6)

(2.9)

(2.9)

(2.9)

(2.9)

(2.9)

Short term borrowings

(54.1)

(93.6)

(121.3)

(116.3)

(111.3)

(106.3)

Other

(3.1)

(8.0)

(5.8)

(5.8)

(5.8)

(5.8)

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(357.9)

(314.6)

(249.5)

(317.5)

(317.5)

(317.5)

Long term borrowings

(281.5)

(235.2)

(172.9)

(240.9)

(240.9)

(240.9)

Other long term liabilities

(35.0)

(42.4)

(36.0)

(36.0)

(36.0)

(36.0)

Net Assets

 

 

250.8

402.0

455.4

447.2

465.8

487.5

Minority interests

(46.9)

(36.4)

(45.7)

(45.7)

(45.7)

(45.7)

Shareholders' equity

 

 

203.9

365.7

409.7

401.5

420.2

441.8

CASH FLOW

Operating Cash Flow

 

 

72.5

72.8

75.1

71.4

80.3

89.7

Capex and intangibles

(16.2)

(24.1)

(38.2)

(28.0)

(23.6)

(25.4)

Acquisitions/disposals

(92.8)

84.5

24.4

(224.2)

0.0

0.0

Net interest

(2.3)

(2.4)

0.3

(9.0)

(10.0)

(8.0)

Equity financing

(9.3)

(8.1)

(3.1)

(10.0)

(10.0)

(10.0)

Dividends

(12.5)

(20.8)

(33.4)

(29.2)

(14.1)

(21.4)

Borrowings

42.9

(40.2)

(41.4)

68.0

0.0

0.0

Other

6.6

1.4

130.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

Net Cash Flow

(24.6)

48.6

44.7

(166.0)

17.6

19.9

Opening net debt/(cash)

 

 

91.9

264.4

77.6

102.0

331.0

308.5

Closing net debt/(cash)

 

 

264.4

77.6

102.0

331.0

308.5

283.6

Source: Tinexta accounts, Edison Investment Research


General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned Tinexta and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Tinexta. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2024 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned Tinexta and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Tinexta. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2024 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

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