^Original-Research: MLP SE - from NuWays AG01.08.2025 / 09:00 CET/CESTDissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQSGroup.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 MLP SE Company Name: MLP SE ISIN: DE0006569908 Reason for the research: Update Recommendation: BUY from: 01.08.2025 Target price: EUR 13.00 Target price on sight of: 12 months Last rating change: Analyst: Henry WendischQ2 preliminary EBIT out, no cause for headaches.Topic: Yesterday, MLP announced its preliminary Q2 EBIT to arrive at only EUR5m but confirmed its FY25 guidance. Here's our view:In a seasonally weak second quarter, MLP has reported a preliminary EBIT ofEUR 5m, which is "significantly below" the prior year figure (Q2'24 EBIT: EUR11.7m) and triggered therefore the legal obligation to ad-hoc thisinformation. However, the EBIT figure should not be a big surprise and noreason for headaches for several reasons:Seasonally weak second quarters are the norm at MLP. In the past, the secondquarter is seasonally weak and have low operating leverage (seasonally lowersales with stable fixed costs). The FY share of Q2 EBITs' usually rangesbetween 5-10% of the FY EBIT (ex performance fees), showing the minorimportance of Q2. On the other hand, Q1 ("non-life quarter") and Q4("old-age quarter") traditionally carry a larger revenue and earnings shareand are thus much more important for MLP's FY results.Absence of performance fees in Q2. FERI's funds should not have triggeredmeaningful performance fees in Q2'25. However, the comparable base of Q2'24had a positive EUR 5.4m performance fee contribution, which alone explains anegative EUR 3.5m EBIT effect yoy (eNuW, assuming a 65% incremental EBITmargin of performance fees).Lower interest rate environment. Also unsurprisingly, MLP's banking businessshould have yielded a lower net interest income (NIC) in Q2'25 (eNuW: EUR11.2, down by EUR 3m or 21% yoy) than in Q2'24. Here, we estimate a 85%incremental EBIT margin on the NIC, which implies another EUR 2.5m negativeEBIT effect yoy.RE recovery does not come over night. On the other hand, the lower interestrate environment should foster the RE business of MLP. However, thisbusiness cannot be switched on or off over night but takes time to showimproving results and to make up for the decline in the banking business.Here, for the segment "Deutschland.Immobilien", we expect a positive, butunder proportionate rise in EBIT from EUR -4m in Q2'24 to EUR -2m in Q2'25e,thus posing a positive EUR 2m EBIT effect yoy.Temporarily higher IT costs. Current IT projects should have also led totemporarily higher OPEX, which we estimate in the ballpark of EUR 3m, furtherburdening Q2 EBIT. Moreover, the timing seemed unfavorable, as they havebeen recognized in MLP's seasonally weakest quarter, in our view.The sum of all effects described above fully explain why the Q2 EBIT came inat EUR 5m (vs EUR 11.7m in Q2Ž24). Apart from the higher IT costs, we hadalready anticipated the effects, in our Q2 EBIT estimates of EUR 7-8m.However, the fact that MLP simultaneously confirmed the guidance (EBIT: EUR100-110m), should also support our view, that this ad-hoc should not be aconcern. Consequently, we reiterate our BUY recommendation with unchanged PTof EUR 13.00, based on FCFY and SOTP.You can download the research here:https://eqs-cockpit.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=3002730470e4d02db245626fbd5cd723For additional information visit our website:https://www.nuways-ag.com/research-feedContact 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---------------------------------------------------------------------------2178100 01.08.2025 CET/CEST°