74Software: Guidance Increased as Operational Discipline Drives Significant Margin Expansion

Core Insights - 74Software reported a strong financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2025, with total revenue reaching €707.2 million, reflecting a 2.5% increase compared to the previous year, and an organic growth of 3.8% [2][8] - The company achieved significant margin expansion, with operating profit increasing to €73.3 million, representing a margin of 10.4%, up from 8.2% in 2024 [20][21] - Net profit rose to €40.8 million, a 40.7% increase year-on-year, with earnings per share reaching €1.39, up from €0.99 [23][25] Financial Performance - Total revenue for 2025 was €707.2 million, with a gross profit of €476.1 million, resulting in a gross margin of 67.3%, compared to 65.0% in 2024 [2][21] - Profit on operating activities was €107.3 million, reflecting a margin of 15.2%, an increase from 13.6% in the previous year [20][21] - Unlevered free cash flow reached an all-time high of €80.4 million, representing 11.4% of revenue, compared to €26.3 million in 2024 [28][51] Business Segments - Axway contributed €337.9 million in revenue with an organic growth of 4.6%, while SBS generated €371.2 million with a 3.0% organic growth [8][12] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) for Axway grew by 11.8% to €273.0 million, while SBS's ARR increased by 8.9% to €243.8 million, indicating a strengthening of the subscription model [16][18] Strategic Initiatives - The integration of SBS is progressing as planned, with measurable profitability gains expected [3][5] - The company aims for organic revenue growth of 3%–5% per year over the next three years, targeting revenue close to €800 million by the end of 2028 [5][34] - 74Software is focusing on AI-driven transformation, embedding AI capabilities into production workflows to enhance operational efficiency and compliance in regulated environments [19][34] Operational Efficiency - The company has implemented a rigorous capital allocation framework and improved operational discipline, leading to enhanced visibility and cash generation [3][5] - Operating cash flow improved significantly to €110.9 million, up from €31.7 million in 2024, reflecting optimized net working capital management [26][28] - The workforce was reduced by 4.5% to 4,571 full-time equivalents, aligning with the focus on operational efficiency [31]