Duyuru • Feb 05
Shares of Esker to Delist from the Euronext Growth Paris Market 947,693 shares of Esker were tendered to the public tender offer initiated by Boréal Bidco SAS (“Boréal Bidco” or the “Offeror”) with respect to the Esker shares (the “Offer”), representing 15.57% of the share capital and at least 15.46% of the voting rights of the company, as part of its reopening from 17 January to 30 January 2025. In total, taking into account the shares tendered to the Offer and the Esker shares assimilated to shares held by the Offeror in accordance with applicable regulations, the holding (effective and assimilated) of Boréal Bidco is of 92.93% of the share capital and at least 92.68% of the voting rights of Esker at the end of the reopened Offer, reflecting the success of the Offer with a post-Offer holding level exceeding the thresholds of 90% of the share capital and voting rights of Esker. The conditions required to carry out a squeeze-out being met, the Offeror, in accordance with its intention expressed in the offer document related to the Offer, will soon request the AMF to implement the squeeze-out procedure for the Esker shares it does not hold, which will result in the delisting of the Esker shares from the Euronext Growth Paris market. Reported Earnings • Sep 22
First half 2024 earnings released First half 2024 results: Revenue: €99.2m (up 5.5% from 1H 2023). Net income: €9.30m (up 25% from 1H 2023). Profit margin: 9.4% (up from 7.9% in 1H 2023). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue. Revenue is forecast to grow 12% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 10% growth forecast for the Software industry in the United Kingdom. New Risk • Aug 13
New minor risk - Share price stability The company's share price has been volatile over the past 3 months. It is more volatile than 75% of British stocks, typically moving 6.9% a week. This is considered a minor risk. Share price volatility indicates the stock is highly sensitive to market conditions or economic conditions rather than being sensitive to its own business performance, which may also be inconsistent. It also increases the risk of potential losses in the short term as the stock tends to have larger drops in price more frequently than other stocks. This is currently the only risk that has been identified for the company. Duyuru • Aug 11
Bridgepoint Reportedly to Explore Takeover Bid for Esker Bridgepoint Group plc (LSE:BPT) is considering a bid to take over Paris-listed software provider Esker SA (ENXTPA:ALESK), according to people familiar with the matter. The UK private equity firm has been working with advisers on a potential offer, the people said. Deliberations are ongoing and may not result in a transaction, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the information is private. A representative for Bridgepoint declined to comment, while a representative for Esker didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Shares of Esker have risen 35% in the past year, giving the company a market value of about €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion). Duyuru • Jul 09
Esker Announces New Capabilities for its Source-To-Pay Suite Esker announced new capabilities for its Source-to-Pay suite, incorporating sustainability features that are essential for business growth while complying with the increased environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations worldwide. Weaving environmental management, social responsibility and long-term sustainability into source-to-pay (S2P) processes helps the Office of the CFO manage continually evolving regulatory frameworks and mitigate risk, while enhancing visibility, reporting and collaboration. Additionally, it's about recognizing the immense potential of sustainable practices in driving innovation, efficiency and, ultimately, profitability. New capabilities in Esker's Source-to-Pay suite track ESG metrics that align with regulatory frameworks, monitor performance of these indicators and identify areas for improvement. By facilitating the creation of transparent reports and displaying easy-to-read dashboards, these tools can provide a clear and accurate picture of a company's environmental impact. Internal CO2 emissions can also be optimized by analyzing supplier invoices, resulting in significant cost savings. Esker's global platform enhances organizational efficiency by streamlining data collection and consolidation, saving time and boosting team productivity, thanks to: Ethical sourcing: Esker Sourcing by Market Dojo helps companies identify suppliers aligned with their sustainability objectives through calls for tenders, requests for information or pre-qualification questionnaires that incorporate weighted bid scoring that considers sustainability criteria alongside pricing factors. Supplier evaluation and selection: Esker Supplier Management allows companies to create supplier ESG questionnaires, monitor third-party indicators for ESG scores and report on diversity criteria from the momentum suppliers are registered and throughout the business partnership, thereby improving supply chain sustainability. Green purchasing: Esker Procurement catalogs feature the CO2 impact of products to facilitate the procurement for eco-friendly and energy-efficient products and services. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions dashboards: Esker Accounts Payable extracts carbon emission metrics (Scope 2) from utility bills and calculates Scope 1 and 3 emissions from various data sources, enabling companies to gain insights into the environmental impact of their supply chain and identify areas where emissions can be reduced through a dedicated dashboard. Late payment prediction and early payment plan: Esker Accounts Payable enables companies to anticipate and identify invoices at risk of late payment, to safeguard financial stability and support ethical business practices. Esker also offers dynamic discounting, thereby contributing to healthy relationships with suppliers and a more sustainable business model. Buy Or Sell Opportunity • Jul 01
Now 31% undervalued after recent price drop Over the last 90 days, the stock has fallen 4.5% to €175. The fair value is estimated to be €254, however this is not to be taken as a buy recommendation but rather should be used as a guide only. Revenue has grown by 16% over the last 3 years. Earnings per share has grown by 6.7%. For the next 3 years, revenue is forecast to grow by 12% per annum. Earnings are also forecast to grow by 26% per annum over the same time period. Declared Dividend • Jun 21
Dividend reduced to €0.65 Dividend of €0.65 is 13% lower than last year. Ex-date: 24th June 2024 Payment date: 26th June 2024 Dividend yield will be 0.4%, which is lower than the industry average of 1.7%. Payout Ratios Payout ratio: 30%. Cash payout ratio: 29%. Buy Or Sell Opportunity • Jun 17
Now 25% undervalued The stock has been flat over the last 90 days, currently trading at €181. The fair value is estimated to be €243, however this is not to be taken as a buy recommendation but rather should be used as a guide only. Revenue has grown by 16% over the last 3 years. Earnings per share has grown by 6.7%. For the next 3 years, revenue is forecast to grow by 12% per annum. Earnings are also forecast to grow by 26% per annum over the same time period. Duyuru • Apr 17
Esker Provides Sales Guidance for Fiscal Year 2024 Esker provided sales guidance for Fiscal Year 2024. For the period the company anticipates a growth in sales of 12-14% for Fiscal Year 2024 excluding acquisitions and currency effects, for 2024. At this level of activity, the operating margin will be between 12%-13% of revenue. Reported Earnings • Mar 30
Full year 2023 earnings released Full year 2023 results: Revenue: €178.6m (up 5.6% from FY 2022). Net income: €14.9m (down 17% from FY 2022). Profit margin: 8.3% (down from 11% in FY 2022). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses. Revenue is forecast to grow 13% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 10% growth forecast for the Software industry in the United Kingdom. Duyuru • Nov 23
Esker Appoints Catherine Plasse as New Chief Financial Officer Esker announced the appointment of Catherine Plasse as Esker’s new Chief Financial Officer. Reporting to Emmanuel Olivier, Esker COO on the Board of Directors, Plasse will manage and coordinate Esker’s Finance teams worldwide and join Esker’s Associate Board of Directors. She will lead the creation of information for the public and financial communities and ensure the maintenance of a high-level internal control environment and compliance with regulatory obligations. Plasse will also play a crucial role in steering the operational performance of Esker by managing budgetary and control aspects. In collaboration with the Board of Directors, she will also be actively involved in the development of Esker’s environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) policies. Plasse brings to Esker more than 15 years of experience in strategic financial management and providing key input to executive levels at a variety of international companies. Plasse held various Financial Analyst and Controller positions at Suez Group, most notably as CFO in the U.S. for three years. She holds three degrees in International Business Administration, from Northumbria University (BA), IAE France (master’s degree) and EDHEC Business School (BA). She also holds a certification in Sustainable Transition Management from HEC Paris and in Principles of Sustainable Finance from Erasmus University of Rotterdam. Duyuru • Nov 22
Esker Appoints Catherine Plasse to the Associate Board of Directors Esker announced the appointment of Catherine Plasse as Esker’s new Chief Financial Officer. Reporting to Emmanuel Olivier, Esker COO on the Board of Directors, Plasse will manage and coordinate Esker’s Finance teams worldwide and join Esker’s Associate Board of Directors. She will lead the creation of information for the public and financial communities and ensure the maintenance of a high-level internal control environment and compliance with regulatory obligations. Plasse will also play a crucial role in steering the operational performance of Esker by managing budgetary and control aspects. In collaboration with the Board of Directors, she will also be actively involved in the development of Esker’s environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) policies. Plasse brings to Esker more than 15 years of experience in strategic financial management and providing key input to executive levels at a variety of international companies. Plasse held various Financial Analyst and Controller positions at Suez Group, most notably as CFO in the U.S. for three years. She holds three degrees in International Business Administration, from Northumbria University (BA), IAE France (master’s degree) and EDHEC Business School (BA). She also holds a certification in Sustainable Transition Management from HEC Paris and in Principles of Sustainable Finance from Erasmus University of Rotterdam. Duyuru • Sep 14
Esker SA Provides Earnings Guidance for the Full Year 2023 Esker SA provided earnings guidance for the full year 2023. For the year, the company expected organic sales growth between 14-15% (excluding currency variations). At this level of revenue and given the current inflationary context, profitability is expected of between 11.5-12.5% of sales revenue, compared to 11.2% in the first half of the year. Valuation Update With 7 Day Price Move • Sep 14
Investor sentiment deteriorates as stock falls 22% After last week's 22% share price decline to €120, the stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 43x. Average forward P/E is 32x in the Software industry in the United Kingdom. Total loss to shareholders of 15% over the past three years. Simply Wall St's valuation model estimates the intrinsic value at €73.73 per share. Duyuru • Sep 01
Esker Announces New Cybersecurity Committee Esker announced the creation of a Cybersecurity Committee within Esker’s Supervisory Board. This new committee is composed of Esker Supervisory Board members Steve Vandenberg, a Global Black Belt with Microsoft’s Security Solutions Area, as well as Nicole Pelletier-Perez, a long-time IT professional. Providing a bridge between Esker’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and the Supervisory Board, its mission consists of reporting on the work of Esker’s Security team as well as familiarizing Board members with the cybersecurity landscape, assisting them in making informed decisions. The establishment of the Cybersecurity Committee will ensure effective communications between Esker’s Supervisory Board and the company’s IT managers, which will in turn help inform the Supervisory Board as they consider priorities and investments in the IT infrastructure to ensure robust cybersecurity defenses. Reported Earnings • Mar 25
Full year 2022 earnings released: EPS: €3.03 (vs €2.44 in FY 2021) Full year 2022 results: EPS: €3.03 (up from €2.44 in FY 2021). Revenue: €170.8m (up 20% from FY 2021). Net income: €17.9m (up 25% from FY 2021). Profit margin: 11% (in line with FY 2021). Revenue is forecast to grow 10% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 9.3% growth forecast for the Software industry in the United Kingdom. Over the last 3 years on average, earnings per share has increased by 20% per year whereas the company’s share price has increased by 16% per year. Valuation Update With 7 Day Price Move • Sep 28
Investor sentiment deteriorated over the past week After last week's 16% share price decline to €106, the stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 35x. Average forward P/E is 29x in the Software industry in the United Kingdom. Total returns to shareholders of 34% over the past three years. Simply Wall St's valuation model estimates the intrinsic value at €97.34 per share. Reported Earnings • Sep 17
First half 2022 earnings released: EPS: €1.75 (vs €1.31 in 1H 2021) First half 2022 results: EPS: €1.75 (up from €1.31 in 1H 2021). Revenue: €82.2m (up 20% from 1H 2021). Net income: €10.2m (up 35% from 1H 2021). Profit margin: 12% (up from 11% in 1H 2021). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue. Revenue is forecast to grow 13% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 9.4% growth forecast for the Software industry in the United Kingdom. Over the last 3 years on average, earnings per share has increased by 18% per year whereas the company’s share price has increased by 17% per year. Valuation Update With 7 Day Price Move • Jun 13
Investor sentiment deteriorated over the past week After last week's 18% share price decline to €112, the stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 44x. Average forward P/E is 37x in the Software industry in the United Kingdom. Total returns to shareholders of 46% over the past three years. Simply Wall St's valuation model estimates the intrinsic value at €104 per share. Reported Earnings • Sep 18
First half 2021 earnings released The company reported a strong first half result with improved earnings, revenues and profit margins. First half 2021 results: Revenue: €64.4m (up 11% from 1H 2020). Net income: €7.58m (up 40% from 1H 2020). Profit margin: 12% (up from 9.3% in 1H 2020). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue. Reported Earnings • Mar 28
Full year 2020 earnings released The company reported a strong full year result with improved earnings, revenues and profit margins. Full year 2020 results: Revenue: €112.3m (up 1.6% from FY 2019). Net income: €11.6m (up 19% from FY 2019). Profit margin: 10% (up from 8.8% in FY 2019). Duyuru • Nov 20
Esker and Birlasoft Ltd. Partner to Automate Procure-to-Pay and Order-to-Cash with Artificial Intelligence Esker and Birlasoft Ltd. team up to offer Esker's comprehensive suite of Procure-to-Pay (P2P) and Order-to-Cash (O2C) automation solutions to enterprises globally. For more than 30 years, companies around the world have trusted Birlasoft to find, implement and manage the technologies they need to keep business running smoothly. Many new and long-standing customers have turned to Birlasoft to support digital transformation efforts. Birlasoft will serve as a premiere implementation partner for Esker's P2P and O2C solutions. With a large footprint in the manufacturing space, most of Birlasoft's customers have unique requirements around their enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools. As a partner for all of the major ERP systems, such as SAP, Oracle and Infor, Birlasoft is particularly well equipped to address these needs—especially now that the company can offer Esker as an end-to-end solution that acts as an extension of the ERP. Esker's relationship with Birlasoft started with a need for a solution for the medical device industry that could automate its invoicing, accounts payable and order management processes. Esker's solution would automate both P2P and O2C processes--while reducing overall IT spend. Birlasoft identified Esker for these capabilities and its AI-driven solution to quickly remove inefficiencies and redundancies, working with the new global ERP systems. Duyuru • Nov 18
Paulig Partners with Esker to Automates Its Order Management Process Esker SA announced that Paulig has automated its order management process using Esker’s AI-driven Order Management solution. As part of its strategy to continuously improve business processes, Paulig’s Belgium-based branch and Tex-Mex brand, Poco Loco, sought a global automation solution that could automate non-EDI order entry, handle increasing order volumes, and integrate with its Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP system. Processing orders is a critical component of doing business, but for companies like Paulig that manufacture and distribute perishable items, speed and accuracy in the supply chain is critical. By automating order processing with Esker, Paulig has improved the speed and efficiency of its order management process. Orders received from multiple countries (including Belgium, France and U.K.) are electronically processed, managed and archived, streamlining the entire cycle for everyone involved. Additionally, Esker’s user-friendly solution and interface were well received by the customer service department and user adoption was almost immediate. Esker’s continuous cloud-based platform and infrastructure have enabled Paulig to maintain business continuity during the pandemic while transitioning to a remote workforce. The customer service department was able to remain operational and process orders with confidence knowing that every order made it into Esker’s solution and no orders were lost. Following the successful project in Belgium, Paulig plans to expand Esker’s Order Management solution to Santa Maria, a Paulig brand in Sweden.