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Detection Technology - Security segment turning a corner

DT’s Q4 report was broadly in line with expectations. After a challenging year, especially for the security segment, a gradual improvement is expected. Although it’s difficult to estimate the slope of the recovery, improvement is still ahead, and we see DT back on the road towards +10% growth and above 15% margins. Based on the increased confidence in improving security demand coupled with DT’s potential for better growth and profitability metrics than our peer group, we raise our TP to 28.5 euros (prev. 26.5€) with BUY recommendation (prev. HOLD).

A decent Q4 and 2020 given challenging market situation

DT’s Q4 figures were broadly in line with expectations. Q4 net sales amounted to EUR 19.9m (-20,4% y/y) vs. EUR 22.2m/22.2m Evli/consensus estimates. Q4 EBIT was EUR 2.3m (11,8% margin) vs. EUR 2.7m/2.75m Evli/cons. R&D costs amounted to EUR 2.2m or 11,2% of net sales (Q4’19: 2.6m, 10,6%). SBU net sales were EUR 9.0m vs. EUR 11.3m Evli estimate. SBU sales declined -45,5% y/y, mainly due the COVID-19 pandemic affecting security investments and challenging comparison figures. MBU net sales were EUR 10.9m which was in line with our estimate of EUR 10.9m. Dividend proposal is 0.28 (0.28/0.25 Evli/cons), which is at upper end of distribution policy of 30-60%.

 Cautiously optimistic outlook

After a challenging year, especially for SBU, DT is cautiously optimistic that the worst for SBU is soon behind. Demand in the security market is expected to head for growth in Q2 of 2021 at the earliest. SBU sales will decrease in Q1 y/y, but will start to grow in Q2, although demand is still subject to uncertainty. DT sees growth in industrial sales and double-digit growth in MBU sales in H1 of 2021. Total net sales are expected to decrease in Q1 and grow in H1 of 2021. DT sees predictability of the company's target markets still lower than usual due to the extraordinary uncertainty caused by the pandemic. As of Q1/21, DT will report three business segments; MBU, SBU and new Industrial Solutions Business Unit (IBU), which previously was part of SBU. Industrial sales accounted for over EUR 10m (25%) of SBU sales in 2020. Industrial market is categorized as higher margin, but smaller volumes, more fragmented customer base, and a variety of end applications.

 BUY with target price 28.5 euros (prev. 26.5€)

We have made slight calibrations to our estimates based on the report. We continue to expect DT to return to sales and profit growth path this year. We estimate 2021e net sales growth of 12,4 % and an EBIT of EUR 12.4m (13,5% margin), as SBU will start contributing to growth from Q2/21 onwards. Although it’s difficult to estimate the slope of the recovery, improvement is still ahead, and we see DT back on the road towards +10% growth and above 15% margins. On our 2022e estimates, DT is trading at 20.6x EV/EBIT, in line with peer group. Despite valuation being in line with peer group, we’re willing to take a more proactive stance based on the increased confidence in improving security demand coupled with DT’s potential for better growth and profitability metrics than peer group. We raise our TP to 28.5 euros (prev. 26.5€ with BUY recommendation (prev. HOLD).

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