Verbio, Kleos Space, KWS Saat - This news is moving share prices!

KWS Saat - Growing revenue and rising margins

Positive news came from the plant breeding and biotechnology company KWS Saat, which was founded in Klein Wanzleben back in 1856. Despite economic and political challenges, the world's fourth-largest seed producer grew in terms of net sales from agricultural crops. According to its preliminary, unaudited results for fiscal 2021/2022, net sales rose by 17% to around EUR 1.54 billion with an EBIT margin of around 10% - that is better than expected. By comparison, EBIT in the previous year was only EUR 137 million. KWS Saat's guidance held out the prospect of net sales growth of 10% and an EBIT margin of between 8% and 9%. Given the good business performance, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on December 6, 2022, that a dividend of EUR 0.80 per share be distributed.

For the current fiscal year 2022/2023, the SDAX-listed company plans further growth with increasing profitability. Sales are expected to increase by 7% to 9% on a comparable basis. According to the Company's headquarters, the EBIT margin is expected to range between 10% and 11%.

Eva Kienle, Chief Financial Officer, commented on the results: "Our strong growth in the past fiscal year once again underlines the attractiveness and resilience of our business model as an innovative seed company. Despite considerable burdens from inflation-related cost increases, we were able to increase our operating result significantly. In the new fiscal year, we aim to continue growing while investing at a high level in research and development as a driver of sustainable, innovative strength. However, given the existing geopolitical risks, increasing weather extremes, and strong inflationary developments, we expect the general conditions for KWS to remain challenging."

Kleos Space - Launch in October

Shareholders in Kleos Space, the global market leader in radio-frequency reconnaissance, have had little to cheer about in recent months. The Luxembourg-based company, which also has subsidiaries in Australia, the US and the United Kingdom, has lost around 60% of its value since the beginning of the year. Currently, a bottom is forming in the area around AUD 0.30, which could form the basis for a subsequent upward movement. The fundamental conditions for rising prices have at least been created in recent months.

The space-based earth observation company uses space technology to locate radio transmissions around the globe and can thus efficiently analyze and uncover illegal activities on land and at sea. This involves using satellite clusters to collect radio frequency data, transmitting it to the ground, analyzing it with AI-powered technology and delivering it to the relevant customer.

Three clusters of four satellites each are still in space, but a fourth is to follow in October with the Observer Mission (KSF3) satellites, significantly upgrading data quality. Equipped with AIS, VHF and X-band payloads, the four satellites will increase Kleos Space's data collection capacity by up to 119 million sq km per day. In addition, the average daily overflight rate over the 15-degree latitude area can be significantly increased.

The long-term goal of the experienced management is to maneuver up to 20 clusters into orbit. Due to geopolitical tensions, the issue of security will become increasingly important with surveillance from space. States, public institutions, and private companies should rely on the technology of the market leader in the future. A growing order book already in the first half of the year is the best proof of this. The analysts at First Berlin formulate a price target of AUD 1.60 for the share certificates, a potential of over 400%!

Verbio - Double-digit share price gain after record year

With double-digit price gains, investors celebrated the record year of the biofuel manufacturer Verbio, which ended on June 30. The Company, based in Zörbig, Saxony-Anhalt, reported that sales in the 2021/2022 financial year rose by 77% to around EUR 1.8 billion. At around EUR 503 million, the operating result (EBITDA) was around three times higher than in the previous year. Verbio benefited from higher sales prices for biodiesel and bioethanol.

As in the previous year, a dividend of EUR 0.20 was proposed. The Board of Directors expects to achieve EBITDA in the order of EUR 300 million in the 2022/2023 financial year. That does not take into account additional negative effects as a result of the Ukraine war.

The analysts at Hauck Aufhäuser Investment raised the price target from EUR 85 to EUR 90 and continue to rate the share as a "buy". Verbio continues to benefit from legal requirements for the production of food-based biofuels. A tightening of the rules is unlikely in the meantime.

Uncertainties at the economic and political levels are growing. Nevertheless, Verbio and KWS Saat both posted strong annual figures. After a significant correction, the launch of the fourth cluster into space should boost the Kleos Space share. Analysts believe the stock has great potential.