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Original-Research: ZEAL Network SE - from NuWays AG

25.10.2024 / 09:01 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS

Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The

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Classification of NuWays AG to ZEAL Network SE

Company Name: ZEAL Network SE

ISIN: DE000ZEAL241

Reason for the research: Update

Recommendation: Buy

from: 25.10.2024

Target price: EUR 57.00

Target price on sight of: 12 months

Last rating change:

Analyst: Henry Wendisch

Guidance hike confirms strong momentum; chg. est & PT

Yesterday after the bell, ZEAL released an ad-hoc with a guidance hike and

better than expected Q3 prelims, fully confirming our positive view on the

stock and its elevated momentum in top- and bottom-line.

FY'24e guidance raised: Sales are now expected between EUR 158-168m (old: EUR

140-150m), implying an increase by 12% at mid-point, whereas EBITDA is seen

between EUR 42-46m (old: EUR 38-42m), implying a 10% increase at mid-point.

Q3 prelims much better than expected: Next to the increased guidance, Q3

prelims were released and came in much better than expected. Sales arrived

at EUR 44.2m (+42% yoy) driven by the strong user intake from H1 coupled with

a billings margin expansion at the start of Q3. While detailed figures are

released with final Q3 results on November 6th, the better than expected

sales figure could stem from a successful launch of the new product

'Traumhausverlosung' (eng.: Dream House Raffle), in our view. Consequently,

EBITDA also came in better than expected at EUR 15.2m (+61% yoy; eNuW: EUR 11m)

on the back of a better fixed cost coverage.

Stellar growth continues: Following a superb first half of the year, (sales:

+ 40% yoy; EBITDA: +46% yoy) carried by a strong jackpot environment and

user intake, ZEAL has continued its current growth story in the third

quarter despite a muted jackpot environment thanks to the increased billings

margin of above 15% in the lottery brokerage business (c. 90% of sales).

Consequently, next year should also remain a year of at least 15% sales

growth as the increased billings margin in the lottery brokerage business

comes in with a full-year effect.

FY'24e guidance raised: Sales are now expected between EUR 158-168m (old: EUR

140-150m), implying an increase by 12% at mid-point, whereas EBITDA is seen

between EUR 42-46m (old: EUR 38-42m), implying a 10% increase at mid-point.

After incorporating the Q3 prelims into our model, but leaving our Q4'24e

estimates unchanged, our new estimates (see below) are now at mid-point of

the new guidance.

All in all, a strong release fully confirming our positive view on the

stock. The strong sales momentum should inevitably lead to an acceleration

of profitability thanks to ZEAL's operating leverage. Therefore, we

reiterate our BUY recommendation, increase our PT to EUR 57.00 (old EUR 54.00)

and confirm the stock as one of NuWays' Alpha Picks for 2024.

You can download the research here: http://www.more-ir.de/d/31113.pdf

For additional information visit our website: www.nuways-ag.com/research

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

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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.

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2015883 25.10.2024 CET/CEST

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