EBIT clearly better than expected despite the decline in sales
Pandemic has affected negatively especially airports customer segment and emerging markets, and W&E has been missing larger project orders. Some project deliveries have also been delayed due to restrictions related to COVID-19. IM’s industrial instruments and liquid measurements products has not met growth targets due to volatile market situation during Q2 and Q3. On the other hand, Vaisala’s profitability has developed clearly better than expected in Q3 (EBIT 19.9 MEUR vs. 12.6 MEUR Evli). According to Vaisala, W&E’s digital services and IM’s product and service businesses improved their gross margins. In addition, the decline in operating expenses caused by the prolonged pandemic, has improved EBIT more than expected.
Valuation remains stretched
Based on the update, we have cut our sales estimates and increased EBIT estimates for 2020e. We expect 2020e net sales to decline 5.2% to 382.5 MEUR and EBIT to increase to 46.6 MEUR. We have also revised EBIT estimates slightly upwards for 2021e. Despite the margin improvement, COVID-19 continues to pose significant near-term uncertainties. Vaisala’s share price rally has continued and, on our estimates, Vaisala is trading at clear premiums compared to our peer group and we see valuation stretched given the weaker financial performance compared to peer group. We look forward to hearing more about the drivers of margin development in connection with Q3 report next Tuesday. With the better than expected profitability development we raise our TP to 32€ (29), but downgrade to SELL (HOLD).
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