FinTech Group — Leading online brokerage

FinTech Group — Leading online brokerage

FinTech Group’s (FTG) online brokerage business, Flatex, has been benefiting from the popularity of exchange-traded products and its customer base rose by c 30k over nine months to c 200k as at end-September. Flatex’s market share has risen to c 25% in Germany and c 50% in Austria, and further European expansion is planned. In addition to its brokerage businesses, FTG leverages its value chain by providing modular and standardised core banking technologies to B2B customers, most of which are banks. Management’s goal is to grow the business both organically and through acquisitions so that it generates €150m of annual revenues in the mid-term along with EBITDA of €50m. Despite being the fastest-growing major broking business in Europe, the shares continue to trade at a discount to the sector.

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Written by

FinTech Group

Leading online brokerage

Financial services

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15 November 2017

Price

€22.66

Market cap

€381m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

FTK

Listing

Scale

Shares in issue

16.8m

Business description

FinTech Group (FTG) is an integrated online brokerage business. It is divided into two business areas – a technology business and a financial services business that includes a bank and a brokerage business.

Bull

Attractively valued against brokerage peer group.

Favourable regulatory environment within Europe.

Positioned to benefit from eventual upswing in interest rate cycle.

Bear

Focused on the German market with limited geographical exposure.

The company does not pay a dividend as the focus is on investing for growth.

Complex group structure, which is being amended.

Analyst

Richard Jeans

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

FinTech Group’s (FTG) online brokerage business, Flatex, has been benefiting from the popularity of exchange-traded products and its customer base rose by c 30k over nine months to c 200k as at end-September. Flatex’s market share has risen to c 25% in Germany and c 50% in Austria, and further European expansion is planned. In addition to its brokerage businesses, FTG leverages its value chain by providing modular and standardised core banking technologies to B2B customers, most of which are banks. Management’s goal is to grow the business both organically and through acquisitions so that it generates €150m of annual revenues in the mid-term along with EBITDA of €50m. Despite being the fastest-growing major broking business in Europe, the shares continue to trade at a discount to the sector.

Investment case: Combining a bank with technology

A key differentiator is that FTG owns both a bank and a software business, which uniquely gives it exposure to the bulk of the value chain. Flatex’s 200k customers are among the most active in the market, generating c 47 trades per customer per year. We see upside possibilities from the sale of FTG products to non-FTG clients, and we see the potential for fee increases given the rate per trade has remained unchanged for 11 years. Additionally, FTG is a play on a strengthening economy and subsequent rising interest rate environment as the group stands to benefit from interest income on its extensive customer deposits. With the ECB deposit rate at minus 0.4%, we believe there is more scope for rises than further declines.

H117 results: Net profit nearly trebles to €7.0m

H117 group revenue grew by 2.5% to €49.6m while underlying EBITDA rose by 8.5% to €13.0m. Overall, 23k B2C clients were added during the period, taking the total to 235k. Three new B2B projects were delivered, including a project for a large multinational bank that is setting up its euro deposit collection business in Frankfurt instead of London, due to Brexit, and is adopting FTG’s technology platform. FTG is confident it will win further business as a result of Brexit. Net profit nearly trebled to €7.0m and the group’s equity ratio rose to 7.0% from 5.9% a year earlier.

Valuation: Attractive relative to peer group

The shares trade on 15.6x FY18 consensus earnings. We continue to believe this rating looks very attractive relative to its peer group, given FTG’s favourable growth profile and improving margins.

Consensus estimates

Year
end

Revenue
(€m)

PBT
(€m)

EPS
(€)

DPS
(€)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/15

75.0

19.7

(0.13)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/16

95.0

30.6

0.73

0.0

31.0

N/A

12/17e

105.5

35.5

1.13

0.0

20.1

N/A

12/18e

118.3

43.4

1.45

0.0

15.6

N/A

Source: Bloomberg

EDISON QUICKVIEWS ARE NORMALLY ONE OFF PUBLICATIONS WITH NO COMMITMENT TO WRITING ANY FOLLOW UP. QUICKVIEW NOTES USE CONSENSUS EARNINGS ESTIMATES.

Disclaimer

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison and is not regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Disclaimer

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting. Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Edison Investment Research (NZ) Limited (Edison NZ) is the New Zealand subsidiary of Edison. Edison NZ is registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSP number 247505) and is registered to provide wholesale and/or generic financial adviser services only. Edison Investment Research Inc (Edison US) is the US subsidiary of Edison and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison Aus) [46085869] is the Australian subsidiary of Edison and is not regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Edison Germany is a branch entity of Edison Investment Research Limited [4794244]. www.edisongroup.com

DISCLAIMER
Copyright 2017 Edison Investment Research Limited. All rights reserved. This report has been prepared and issued by Edison for publication globally. All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. The securities described in the Investment Research may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. This research is issued in Australia by Edison Aus and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Australian Corporations Act. The Investment Research is distributed in the United States by Edison US to major US institutional investors only. Edison US is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison US relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personalised advice. We publish information about companies in which we believe our readers may be interested and this information reflects our sincere opinions. The information that we provide or that is derived from our website is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, our website and the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison's solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are "wholesale clients" for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. This document is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document.
A marketing communication under FCA rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research. Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report. Edison or its affiliates may perform services or solicit business from any of the companies mentioned in this report. The value of securities mentioned in this report can fall as well as rise and are subject to large and sudden swings. In addition it may be difficult or not possible to buy, sell or obtain accurate information about the value of securities mentioned in this report. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a "personalised service" and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a "class service" provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (ie without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Edison, its affiliates and contractors, and their respective directors, officers and employees will not be liable for any loss or damage arising as a result of reliance being placed on any of the information contained in this report and do not guarantee the returns on investments in the products discussed in this publication. FTSE International Limited ("FTSE") (c) FTSE [2014]. "FTSE(r)" is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE's express written consent.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

295 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor

10017, New York

US

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 12, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Francotyp-Postalia — Acting towards transition

Francotyp-Postalia (FPH) is addressing structural changes in the global postal market by focusing on franking systems for SMEs, market share gains in selected geographies (France and the US in particular) and participation in the digitalisation trend. Revenues in H117 grew by 4.1% y-o-y, assisted by the success of the new PostBase products in Germany and the US. However, EBITDA declined 13% y-o-y to €12.7m due to ACT-related costs, one-off items and a postage discount cut by Deutsche Post. FPH trades at a 2017e P/E of 14.3x, implying a c 40% premium vs peers.

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