Original-Research: publity AG - von GBC AG

Einstufung von GBC AG zu publity AG

Unternehmen: publity AG

ISIN: DE0006972508

Anlass der Studie: Research report (Anno)

Empfehlung: Hold

Kursziel: 20.00 EUR

Kursziel auf Sicht von: 31.12.2024

Letzte Ratingänderung:

Analyst: Matthias Greiffenberger, Marcel Schaffer

publity AG focuses on green growth: 50% ESG-compliant buildings by 2030.

The interest rate turnaround is a challenging situation for real estate

companies. Participation PREOS reports sharp decline in NAV.

In fiscal year 2022, publity AG recorded a significant decline in revenues

of 83.7% to EUR4.68 million (PY: EUR28.75 million). This was due to various

challenges, including the interest rate turnaround and the war in Ukraine.

The lower number of transactions resulted in less income from finder fees

and exit fees. In addition, the reversal of the GORE deal contributed to

fees from the Luxembourg deal from the first half of 2022 not being

settled. This resulted in lower revenue than originally expected.

EBITDA decreased to EUR-23.44 million, compared to EUR14.6 million in the

previous year. In addition to a significant decline in sales, other

operating expenses increased by 62.4% to EUR25.82 million, mainly due to

additional expenses of EUR14.4 million related to a failed deal with a

Luxembourg investor.

Originally, a net profit of EUR6 to EUR10 million was planned, yet the year

ended with a high net loss of EUR192.54 million. This is mainly due to value

adjustments on financial assets, in particular PREOS Global Office Real

Estate & Technology AG, amounting to EUR171.38 million, which was

characterized by strong price losses, resulting in a corresponding value

adjustment. However, in the event of a possible increase in the share price

of PREOS, there is the potential for appreciation.

publity AG plans to position itself as a green asset manager by 2030 and to

manage at least 50% ESG-compliant buildings. The company also plans to

reduce its CO2 footprint by 50% and become completely climate-neutral by

2030. A new 'Green Advisory' business unit is planned to provide expertise

on ESG-compliant building refurbishment.

For 2023, we expect an increase in sales, despite adverse effects from the

interest rate turnaround. We forecast sales of EUR11.5 million, followed by

EUR15.0 million in 2024 and EUR20.1 million in 2025, respectively. The guidance

calls for a break-even result after taxes, with a slightly positive EBIT.

To counteract the current challenges, the company is implementing strict

cost management. We expect EBIT of EUR0.3 million in 2023, followed by EUR3.32

million in 2024 and EUR6.64 million in 2025, respectively. We forecast net

income at EUR0.28 million in 2023, EUR2.39 million in 2024 and EUR4.71 million in

2025, respectively.

As part of our DCF valuation model, we have determined a target price of

EUR20.00 (previously: EUR46.50). We have allocated the investments in

affiliated companies and the loans to affiliated companies to net financial

assets. This primarily includes the PREOS investment. The share price of

PREOS as of December 30, 2022 was EUR 3.40 (Xetra), corresponding to a market

capitalization of EUR 385.79 million. Given publity AG's 94.3% stake, this

represents a value of EUR348.82 million on its balance sheet. Our revaluation

is based on the latest ad-hoc news from PREOS, according to which

devaluations have led to a reduction in equity to EUR204 million as of

December 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021: EUR418.0 million). In accordance with a

participation rate of 94.3%, a value of EUR192.37 million is attributable to

publity AG, which is thus significantly lower than the value recognized in

the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. To determine the fair value of

publity AG, we refer to net financial assets of EUR224.05 million (December

31, 2024), which corresponds to a fair value of EUR15.06 per share based on

the number of shares in publity. Adding the value of the operating business

on the basis of the DCF model, we have calculated an overall price target

of EUR20.00 per share and, against the backdrop of the current share price,

assign a Hold rating (previously: BUY).

Die vollständige Analyse können Sie hier downloaden:

http://www.more-ir.de/d/27445.pdf

Kontakt für Rückfragen

GBC AG

Halderstraße 27

86150 Augsburg

0821 / 241133 0

research@gbc-ag.de

Offenlegung möglicher Interessenskonflikte nach § 85 WpHG und Art. 20 MAR Beim oben analysierten Unternehmen ist folgender möglicher Interessenkonflikt gegeben: (5a;11); Einen Katalog möglicher Interessenkonflikte finden Sie unter:

http://www.gbc-ag.de/de/Offenlegung

Date and time of completion of the study: 01.08.2023 (13:30) German: 29.07.2023 (15:00)

Date and time of the first disclosure of the study: 02.08.2023 (10:00) German: 31.07.2023 (11:00)

-übermittelt durch die EQS Group AG.-

Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung bzw. Research ist alleine der Herausgeber bzw.

Ersteller der Studie verantwortlich. Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung

oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss bestimmter Börsengeschäfte.

Quelle: dpa-AFX