FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) – The commercial kitchen outfitter RATIONAL inspired investors on Thursday with increased annual targets. The shares jumped 15.3 percent to just under 496 euros and reached their highest level in more than two weeks. The price thus broke away from the lowest level since May 2020, which was reached last Friday. Since the record high of 1033.50 euros a year ago, the shares have lost more than 50 percent in value.
The company on Thursday morning announced record sales for the third quarter and raised its sales and earnings targets for the year. The supply chains relaxed and the price increases also had a positive effect. In addition, the availability of electronic components has increased again since August. As a result, production and sales have also increased, and there is also a strong service and maintenance business.
Dealers spoke of a big surprise and clearly positive news, especially with regard to the target of an operating margin in the range of 21.5 and 22.5 percent. The current business trends are reassuring, the order backlog is excellent and the increase in costs will be offset by price increases overall, said a stockbroker. He expressed confidence that Rational, thanks to its robust business model and solid financial position, will be able to return to pre-crisis business once market conditions return to normal.
On the other hand, analyst Sebastian Kuenne from the Canadian bank RBC remained skeptical about further business development: Even if the increase in annual targets reads very positively, it should be noted that the reason for the increase is not an increase in demand, he wrote in an initial assessment. The expert expects a sobering demand trend in the coming quarters and a 17 percent drop in orders for the second half of the year./edh/tih/men
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