Bechtle’s second-quarter earnings revealed a stark contrast between revenue growth and profit declines, leaving investors with mixed signals. The German IT services provider reported a 20% drop in net profit to €47.7 million, with earnings per share falling to €0.38 from €0.48 year-over-year. Operating margins also contracted sharply, as EBIT slid nearly 20% to €68.4 million, dragging the pre-tax margin down to 4.5%. However, a 5.1% rise in business volume to €1.93 billion—fueled by a 9.1% surge in international sales—offered a silver lining. The CEO noted cautious optimism, citing stabilization in public-sector demand and outperformance against analyst expectations for key metrics.
Liquidity and Outlook Intact
Despite profit headwinds, Bechtle maintained its full-year guidance, forecasting pre-tax results within a ±5% range. Liquidity remained robust at €522 million, supporting potential acquisitions. While domestic markets lagged, strong performance in Benelux and the UK helped offset weaknesses. The company anticipates a late-summer rebound, though margin recovery remains critical to restoring investor confidence.
