* Q1: Sales of EUR 33m (39m), EBIT of EUR -2.8m (0.8m) * Strong orders of EUR 60m (29m) * '26e adj. EBIT lowered by EUR -1.2m
Q1 results
Cavotec reported sales below expectations at EUR 33m, -15% y-o-y (-25% vs ABGSCe). P&M: -26% y-o-y, Industry: -1% y-o-y. Strong order intake of EUR 60m (+109% y-o-y) was broadly expected following the pre-announcement, but had not been incorporated into our estimates (ABGSCe 37m) as it was announced after our preview was published. Adj. EBIT was softer than expected at EUR -2.8m vs ABGSCe 2.5m. The adj. EBIT miss within P&M was largely driven by low sales volumes in the quarter, which weighed on capacity utilisation. Having previously extrapolated Industry's strong Q3-Q4'25 performance, we note the segment nevertheless suffered from negative mix effects, in addition to low capacity utilisation in the quarter. The highlight of the report was the exceptionally strong order intake within P&M, which came as a positive surprise given management's previous messaging about a cautious customer environment. As previously communicated, management introduced a cost-savings program which is expected to save EUR 3m annually, starting at the end of '26 and with full effect from '27.
Estimate changes and outlook
We lower our '26e-'27e sales and adj. EBIT estimates by 9-3% and 17-3% (~EUR 1.2-0.4m in '26e-'27e), respectively. While orders were up 109% y-o-y, we're reluctant to extrapolate this performance, eyeing 11% y-o-y order intake in '26e. Despite the miss on sales and earnings, we expect a conversion of the strong backlog to support sales growth of 11-9% into '27e-28e. We add IACs of EUR -3m for '26e, related to the implementation of the cost savings program.
Valuation
The share was down ~13% on the day, following a rise of +42% in the 30 days prior to the report. That leaves it trading at 53-14x EV/EBIT on '26e-'27e, vs the peer median of 15-12x.