^Original-Research: Cenit AG - from GBC AG05.08.2024 / 13:01 CET/CESTDissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQSGroup AG.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. Theresult of this research does not constitute investment advice or aninvitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.---------------------------------------------------------------------------Classification of GBC AG to Cenit AG Company Name: Cenit AG ISIN: DE0005407100 Reason for the research: Research Comment Recommendation: BUY Target price: 24.15 EUR Target price on sight of: 31.12.2025 Last rating change: Analyst: Cosmin Filker, Marcel Goldmann1st HY 2024: Acquisition of Analysis Prime is value-enhancing, HY figures inline with expectations, price target raised to EUR24.15 (previously: EUR20.55),rating: BUYIn the first six months of the current business year, CENIT AG once againachieved significant sales growth of 6.7% to EUR 93.36 million (previous year:EUR 87.47 million). Following sales growth of 16.4% in the first quarter ofthe current financial year, sales growth in the second quarter remained inthe double-digit range at 10.8%.Despite the increase in sales, CENIT AG recorded a decline in EBIT to EUR 2.01million (previous year: EUR 2.62 million). Adjusted for acquisition-relatedexpenses (acquisition of CCE and acquisition of Analysis Prime) and thedisposal of CENIT Japan, which contributed EUR 0.87 million to EBIT in theprevious year, CENIT AG would have achieved an EBIT increase of 33.2% to EUR2.62 million (previous year: EUR 1.97 million).On 17 July 2024, CENIT announced the acquisition of 60% of the shares in theUS company Analysis Prime LLC. Founded in 2018, the company has a total of72 employees and is active in the field of planning and analysingbusiness-critical processes based on SAP architecture. The company has ahigh degree of specialisation and is able to call up high daily rates forconsulting and implementation.A provisional base price of USD 14.31 million was agreed for the acquisitionof 60% of the shares. The final purchase price and the variable componentswill not be determined until Analysis Prime has presented its interimfinancial statements. For the current 2024 financial year, CENIT AG expectsa pro rata sales contribution of USD 11.50 million and EBIT of USD 2.70million.Analysis Prime has recorded strong sales growth in recent financial yearsand has a highly scalable business model. With this acquisition, CENIT AG isincreasingly entering the US market, which is accompanied by correspondingcross-selling potential. For example, the ISR consulting business, whichcovers the infrastructure area in the SAP Analytics environment inparticular, can be transferred to the USA. In the opposite direction, theAnalysis Prime business is to be transferred to Europe. In the USA, thenewly acquired company is the market leader in its field and an importantpartner for SAP.CENIT's Management Board has confirmed the previous forecast in itshalf-year report. Sales of EUR 195 million to EUR 202 million and EBIT of EUR11.70 million to EUR 12.20 million are still expected for the currentfinancial year.These forecasts do not yet include the recently acquired Analysis Prime.According to the company, the new company is expected to contribute sales ofUSD 11.50 million and EBIT of USD 2.70 million in 2024. This is a pro ratatemporis figure, as the company will only be included in the CENIT scope ofconsolidation from 1 August 2024. The expected EBIT contribution fromAnalysis Prime also does not include any M&A-related expenses oramortisation of acquired intangible assets (PPA). According to the ExecutiveBoard, Analysis Prime is not expected to contribute to earnings in 2024after taking these expenses into account. We only expect to see a visiblejump in earnings from the following financial year.For the current 2024 financial year, we therefore expect sales of EUR 211.12million (previously: EUR 200.42 million) and an unchanged EBIT of EUR 12.01million (previously: EUR 12.01 million). With sales growth of 5.0%, we expectan acquisition-related sales contribution of EUR 24.21 million (2025) and EUR25.43 million (2026) and are raising our sales forecasts accordingly. Weexpect PPA amortisation of EUR 3.0 million and an acquisition-related EBITcontribution of EUR 2.21 million (2025) and EUR 2.87 million (2026). We haveadjusted our earnings forecasts accordingly.As part of the DCF valuation model, we assume a constant shareholding of60%. In addition to the provisional base purchase price of USD 14.31 million(EUR 13.31 million), a variable earn-out could become due in 2025. Weanticipate an additional purchase price of EUR 2.89 million. We havedetermined a new target price of EUR 24.15 (previously: EUR 20.55). Adjusted forthe price target-increasing rollover effect, this results in a price targetof EUR22.14, which we categorise as value-enhancing for the acquisition ofAnalysis Prime. We confirm our BIY rating.You can download the research here: http://www.more-ir.de/d/30369.pdfContact for questions:++++++++++++++++Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest pursuant to Section 85 WpHGand Art. 20 MAR The company analysed above has the following potentialconflict of interest: (5a,6a,7,11); A catalogue of potential conflicts ofinterest can be found at:https://www.gbc-ag.de/de/Offenlegung.htm+++++++++++++++Date and time of completion of the study: 05/08/24 (08:52 am)Date and time of the first dissemination of the study: 05/08/24 (1:00 pm)---------------------------------------------------------------------------The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.Archive at www.eqs-news.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------1960711 05.08.2024 CET/CEST°