Meltwater yesterday published its Q3 results with headline figures (adjusted for one-offs) mostly in line with our forecasts and consensus (Q3 ARR pre-announced in October). Updated guidance for somewhat lower profitability in 2021 than we expected could be seen as a negative by the market, but we see the prioritising of growth near-term as a clear positive. We reiterate our BUY and NOK76 target price, and expect Friday’s CMD to be a share price catalyst.
While Q2 opex was higher than we expected, it was more than justified by the continued acceleration in Meltwater’s ARR growth noted in trading updates through Q3. We have raised our 2021–2023e ARR by 4–5%, but lowered our adj. EBITDA estimates to reflect likely near-term investments in growth. We reiterate our BUY and NOK76 target price.
Meltwater continues to grow its Premium client segment, seeing accelerated expansion of the segment’s ARR by USD3.1m in March, implying growth of 18% YOY for Q1?. The latter was slightly above our expectation, and compares to 12% YOY in Q4 2020, in our view clearly showing that the company is progressing according to the plan and trajectory set out in conjunction with its IPO.
Yesterday after close, Meltwater reported a Q4 top line and adj. EBITDA above our expectations, on a continued shift in business mix towards Premium Clients and the Social media segment, in line with the strategic direction set out with its IPO. We have inched up our top-line and EBITDA forecasts, and raised our target price to NOK76 (75). We reiterate our BUY.
As Meltwater’s unique platform provides enterprises with a complete overview of all external information flows affecting their business, we see its ‘outside insight’ filling a gap enabling the next wave in enterprise software. We forecast a return to double-digit growth and expect its stock to re-rate significantly. We initiate coverage with a BUY and NOK75 target price.
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