EQS-News

Bechtle Affirms Forecast for the Year As a Whole - Seite 2

 

Growth areas for the future

The software business showed particularly strong growth in the first quarter. This development was driven in particular by major software projects in January. Momentum slowed over the course of the quarter. Strategically, Bechtle is focussing on the expansion of multi-cloud and managed cloud services as well as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. "The digital transformation is a strong business driver for us - in the public sector and in industry alike. We believe that our portfolio of solutions puts us in an excellent position here", says Dr. Thomas Olemotz.

 

Pleasing earnings performance

With an increase of 4.2 per cent, gross earnings laid the foundation for the pleasing earnings growth. In particular, the development of material costs had a positive impact due to the high proportion of software. This more than compensated for the increases in personnel expenses as well as depreciation and amortisation. In addition to an increase in EBT of 2.8 per cent, the margin also climbed.

 

Moderate increase in employees

The number of employees at more than 120 locations across Europe increased by 921 people or 6.4 per cent as of 31 March 2024. Almost 60 per cent of the new colleagues came to Bechtle via acquisitions. Without acquisitions, the increase in the number of employees would have been just 2.6 per cent. The rather restrained pace of staff recruitment is still an expression of entrepreneurial prudence in view of the challenging economic conditions.

 

Operating cash flow with pleasing development

Operating cash flow in the first quarter of 2024 was €45.3 million (previous year: -€20.2 million) and thus improved by €65.6 million. The reduction in trade receivables remained at a very high level. The lower cash outflow for inventories and trade payables also had a positive effect in the reporting period. At €27.1 million, free cash flow also showed a remarkable positive trend (previous year: -€91.1 million).