^Original-Research: Multitude SE - from NuWays AG23.08.2024 / 09:02 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 NuWays AG to Multitude SE Company Name: Multitude SE ISIN: FI4000106299 Reason for the research: Update Recommendation: BUY from: 23.08.2024 Target price: EUR 12.00 Last rating change: Analyst: Frederik JarchowQ2 with improved profitability // FY24 guidance confirmedTopic: Multitude reported a strong set of Q2 figures with improved bottomline, above our estimates. Further, management confirmed its FY24 EBITguidance. In detail: * Interest income came in at EUR 64.7m (16% yoy, 1% qoq), below our estimates of EUR 67.2m, due to a lower Consumer Banking topline (-1% qoq, 9% yoy, vs eNuW: EUR 56.6m) overcompensated by the strong growth in the SME banking to EUR 8.3m (8% qoq, 47% yoy, vs eNuW: EUR 8.1m) and in the Wholesale Banking to EUR 2.8m (22% qoq, 183% yoy, vs eNuW: EUR 2.5m). The net loan book (NAR) grew only slightly to EUR 594m (1% qoq, 15% yoy, vs eNuW: EUR 600m), while the debt investments (Wholesale Banking) increased significantly to EUR 103m (51% qoq, 69% yoy, vs eNuW: EUR 80m). * EBIT jumped to EUR 16.8m (45% qoq, 44% yoy), mainly driven by lower impairments that are back on track at only EUR 23.8m (-16% qoq, 17% yoy, vs eNuW: EUR 26.9m) or 36.9% of sales, while S&M, personnel and other operating expenses remained stable. As anticipated, interested expenses came in higher at EUR 11.4m (31% qoq, 115% yoy, eNuW: EUR 9.4m), caused by 1) the growth of the loan book, 2) the higher avg interest costs that move with a delay of c. 6-18 months (eNuW) to the ECB rate and 3) a EUR 1.4m bond-related one-off. Still, EBT of EUR 5.4m (80% qoq, -21% yoy), carried by the lower impairments, beat our expectation (eNuW: EUR 4.8m).Overall, Multitude delivered a strong Q2 with improved risk managementvisible in declining impairments and ongoing tight cost control resulting instable OPEX. While the Consumer Banking is currently the only EBITcontributor, we expect the strong growth of the loan book in the SME andWholesale Banking to materialize within the next quarters resulting inmeaningful EBIT contribution. With that, the confirmed EBIT guidance of EUR67.5m looks achievable. Nevertheless, we play it safe expecting only EUR 61.4mEBIT in FY24 as of now, leaving room for upgrades.For a growing, highly profitable, resilient and dividend paying company thestock still looks undebatable cheap trading at only 4x PEŽ25.BUY with an unchanged PT of EUR 12 PT, based on our residual income model.Hence, Multitude remains one of our NuWays Alpha picks for FY24.You can download the research here: http://www.more-ir.de/d/30601.pdfFor additional information visit our website: www.nuways-ag.com/researchContact for questions:NuWays AG - Equity ResearchWeb: www.nuways-ag.comEmail: research@nuways-ag.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysagAdresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany++++++++++Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschlussbestimmter Börsengeschäfte.Offenlegung möglicher Interessenskonflikte nach § 85 WpHG beim obenanalysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollständigen Analyse.++++++++++---------------------------------------------------------------------------The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.Archive at www.eqs-news.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------1973565 23.08.2024 CET/CEST°