3U HOLDING — Organic growth in key segments

3U Holding (UUU)

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Research: TMT

3U HOLDING — Organic growth in key segments

While Germany’s 3U HOLDING (3U) reported declines in H121 top-line revenue, both its information and telecom technology segment (ITC) and sanitary, heating and climate segment (SHAC) showed organic growth. The growing cloud computing and e-commerce industries should boost 3U’s prospects, although shortages continue to hamper its SHAC business. To justify multiple expansion, 3U needs to return to growth in its higher-margin renewable energy areas and improve margins in its SHAC segment.

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TMT

3U HOLDING

Organic growth in key segments

Diversified industries

Deutsches Eigenkapitalforum 2021

27 October 2021

Price

€3.98

Market cap

€142m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

UUU

Shares in issue
(as at 30 June 2021)

35.614m

Net cash at 30 June 2021

€6.2m

Business description

3U HOLDING (3U), headquartered in Marburg, is a holding company that acquires, manages and sells interests in companies across three primary segments: telecom services, cloud computing and IT services (ITC); sanitary, heating and climate technology anchored in e-commerce (SHAC); and renewable energies such as wind and solar farms (RE). 3U’s activities are largely focused on Germany and neighbouring European countries.

Bull

Increasing exposure to high-margin, high-growth cloud services market.

Organic growth in key ITC and SHAC segments.

Planned IPO of weclapp subsidiary in 1H22 could unlock value.

Bear

Ongoing acquisitions and disposals make financial comparisons challenging.

Premium multiples reflect high market expectations.

Shortages and delays in SHAC segment are affecting the top line.

Analyst

Ken Mestemacher

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

While Germany’s 3U HOLDING (3U) reported declines in H121 top-line revenue, both its information and telecom technology segment (ITC) and sanitary, heating and climate segment (SHAC) showed organic growth. The growing cloud computing and e-commerce industries should boost 3U’s prospects, although shortages continue to hamper its SHAC business. To justify multiple expansion, 3U needs to return to growth in its higher-margin renewable energy areas and improve margins in its SHAC segment.

H121: Divestments and material shortages

While 3U’s H121 revenues fell 10% y-o-y to €27.3m, largely due to the Q420 divestment of two portfolio assets (a wind farm and a non-core SHAC subsidiary), it grew organic revenues by c 4%. Notably, the ITC segment grew 20% to €11m (or 40% of 3U’s revenues), as the high-margin cloud computing unit grew revenues by 45%. SHAC, 3U’s largest segment at 51% of group revenues, saw revenues fall 14.1% due to the divestment, although the segment did improve continuing revenue by 11% y-o-y from its e-commerce business. Consequently, 3U reaffirmed its guidance of flat FY21 revenues of c €58–63m and EBITDA of c €11–13m as organic growth should continue to offset lost revenue from disposed assets.

Cloud computing and e-commerce as megatrends

One trend benefiting 3U is the growing ERP cloud computing market, where MarketsandMarkets predicts a 17% annual growth rate through 2025, then reaching $101.2b in global sales. This trend should boost 3U’s weclapp high-margin, cloud-based solutions business, which continued its strategy of purchasing businesses to accelerate growth with its Q321 acquisition of ITscope. Another key trend is the e-commerce market that management estimates should grow at more than 10% per year through 2030. While e-commerce generates lower margins, 3U is making progress towards lifting them. 3U’s Selfio, part of the SHAC segment, should benefit from e-commerce’s growth, as it runs an online platform for the professional DIY market. However, the supply shortages in the construction businesses will likely continue to hamper SHAC’s business in the near term.

Valuation: Trading at slight premium to peers

At the €3.98 close on 20 October, 3U is up 95% over the last 12 months. Its 11.0x FY22e EV/EBITDA appears to reflect a return to c 20% growth, while it trades at a slight premium to peers. To justify further multiple expansion and upside in its share price, 3U needs to continue growing its higher-margin renewable energy areas, boost its e-commerce margins, and address the SHAC supply shortage.

Consensus estimates

Year
end

Revenue
(€m)

EBITDA
(€m)

EPS
(€)

DPS
(€)

P/E
(x)

EV/EBITDA
(x)

12/19

51.4

10.1

0.11

0.04

36.2

13.4

12/20

61.1

11.6

0.09

0.05

44.2

11.7

12/21e

59.7

10.8

0.08

0.05

49.8

12.5

12/22e

71.3

12.3

0.11

0.06

36.2

11.0

Source: Company, Refinitiv

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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

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United Kingdom

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1185 Avenue of the Americas

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United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

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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

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been prepared and issued by Edison. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: 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 and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. 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.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, 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 securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. 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, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2021 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

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. 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 (i.e. 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.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison 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.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison 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. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

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

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, 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

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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