TUI, Royal Helium, thyssenkrupp nucera - Significant increases create room for improvement

TUI - Historic quarter

In 2023, Germany's leading tour operator was finally able to put the Corono years that threatened its existence behind it and, according to its own statements, even posted the best quarter in the Company's history. In addition to an increase in sales to EUR 4.4 billion, 15% more than in the previous year, the Hanover-based company was also able to leap into the green zone in terms of operating profit. After a loss of EUR 153 million in 2022, which was still partly impacted by the pandemic, TUI achieved an EBIT profit of EUR 153 million.

TUI recorded a 6% increase in customer numbers compared to the previous year, corresponding to a total volume of EUR 3.5 million. The occupancy rate improved slightly to 86%, an increase of one percentage point. TUI has made significant progress in terms of financial stability. Within the last year, the Company reduced its debt by EUR 1.3 billion, resulting in a current level of a still-high EUR 4 billion. This positive development was also recognized by the rating agency S&P, which upgraded TUI's credit rating.

For 2024, TUI forecasts revenue growth of 10% and an even stronger increase in operating profit of 25%. Following the preliminary figures, the TUI share price rose by more than 5% but gave up some of its gains in the course of trading and hovered around the EUR 7.00 mark. After the figures, Deutsche Bank Research left the rating for the travel group at "Buy" with a target price of EUR 10.50.

Royal Helium - Promising player in growth market

Royal Helium, a Canadian company specializing in the exploration and production of helium, aims to set new standards in the industry. With over 400,000 hectares of land in Saskatchewan and a state-of-the-art helium processing facility in Steveville, Alberta, the Company is positioning itself as a major player in the helium market in North America. The facility, which is 100% owned by Royal Helium, features a patented modular design that enables the utilization of by-products such as nitrogen, food-grade carbon dioxide and condensate. With a capacity of 15 million cubic feet of raw gas per day, it can produce 22,000 MCF (thousand cubic feet) of helium and other products annually.

Royal Helium is in a critical phase, currently developing 4 out of an expected 15 helium fields. The Company has already made significant progress by bringing two wells to production readiness in 2023, delivering helium with concentrations ranging from a high of 0.53% to 0.43% in comparison to peer groups.

The Company is financially supported by an interest-free loan of CAD 3 million from the Canadian government, which emphasizes the importance of the project for the regional economy and the aerospace industry. In addition, a three-year supply contract has been agreed with an undisclosed US aerospace company paying USD 538 per cubic foot of helium, reflecting the commercial viability and confidence in the quality of the product.

Increasing global demand for helium, not only in healthcare but also in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace and defense, is expected to further fuel Royal Helium's growth. Plans to expand production at additional sites in 2024 should provide a further tailwind for the Canadian company, which is currently valued at a market capitalization of CAD 48.05 million.

thyssenkrupp nucera - Successful start to the year

Stock market participants rewarded the preliminary figures of the electrolysis specialist from Dortmund with a substantial price increase of almost 7% to EUR 16.00. Despite the jump in the share price, analysts at Alster Research see further potential up to EUR 20. "We are on the right track and are further expanding our position as a leading global player in the market for alkaline water electrolysis," commented CEO Werner Ponikwar.

In the period from October to December, the Company recorded an increase in revenue of around 33% to EUR 208 million. Due in particular to strong demand in the alkaline water electrolysis technology sector, orders received increased by 9% to around EUR 175 million. Here, thyssenkrupp nucera expects demand to remain strong, which will result in further investment in the technology, which will of course entail additional start-up costs.

The net result for the quarter fell to EUR 2.8 million compared to EUR 8.5 million in the previous quarter. Nucera was again in the red in its operating business. EBIT fell from plus EUR 11.0 million to minus EUR 0.9 million.

TUI reported the best quarter in its history. In contrast, thyssenkrupp nucera continues to focus entirely on growth in the field of alkaline water electrolysis technology. Royal Helium intends to expand its production and is anticipating growing demand.