Solteq - Certainly not the best of quarters
Solteq’s Q3 was below the already weak expectations, with revenue at EUR 14.4m (Evli EUR 14.7m) and adj. EBIT at EUR -0.5m (Evli EUR 0.3m). The weakness relates to earlier communicated challenges in Solteq Utilities’ software development and lower revenue and profitability in Solteq Digital.
- Net sales in Q3 were EUR 14.4m (EUR 14.9m in Q3/21), slightly below our estimates (Evli EUR 14.7m). Growth in Q3 amounted to -3.7% y/y.
- The operating profit and adj. operating profit in Q3 amounted to EUR -5.0m and -0.5m respectively (EUR 1.1m/1.2m in Q3/21), below our estimates (Evli EUR -4.1m/0.3m).
- Q3 challenges relates to earlier communicated challenges in Solteq Utilities’ software development and lower revenue and profitability in Solteq Digital. Write-downs relating to Solteq Robotics had a negative one-off impact of EUR 4.4m on EBIT.
- Solteq Digital: revenue in Q3 amounted to EUR 8.6m (Q3/21: EUR 9.6m) vs. Evli EUR 9.4m. Growth amounted to -9.6%. The adj. EBIT was EUR 0.2m (Q3/21: EUR 0.9m) vs. Evli EUR 0.8m. Demand in key business areas, such as digital business and commerce solutions, is expected to remain at a good level during the ongoing quarter.
- Solteq Software: Revenue in Q3 amounted to EUR 5.7m (Q3/21: EUR 5.4m) vs. Evli EUR 5.3m. The adj. EBIT was EUR -0.7m (Q3/21: EUR 0.3m) vs. Evli EUR -0.5m. Growth was 6.6%. The business outlook for Solteq Software is expected to remain positive.
- Guidance for 2022 (reiterated): group revenue is expected to remain at same levels as in 2021 and operating profit to be negative.