Punished too hard
Photocureâs financials should start improving from 1Q23 with report due on May 10th. We also see strong long-term profitable growth potential and believe the share price drop post the recent mishaps was excessive. Therefore, we upgrade the share from Hold to Buy with a new TP of NOK 85/sh (90).
Solid growth and improving EBITDA seen in 1Q
Photocure will release its 1Q23 report on May 10th. We estimate revenues of NOK 103m. The company had a terrible end of the year as well as 1Q22. Thus, 1Q23 figures compare very favourably with our expectations representing 27% YoY and 9% QoQ growth ex. milestones. There should be a noticeable rebound in Hexvix/Cysview volumes, especially in the US, while FX should continue to support top line figures that are reported in NOK. FX should also lift costs and we still see negative EBITDA for 1Q at NOK -8.7m, which is again significantly better YoY and QoQ. We see EBITDA turning positive from 2Q23. Notably, the quarterly figures are rather volatile and deviations to our estimates are common. There should be a visible improvement YoY and QoQ nevertheless.
Visible improvements in 2023, as growth and profitability pick up
We believe PHO is turning a corner. The continuous problems with the key US blue light cystoscope OEM Karl Storz (first the delay in the new rigid equipment launch and then the discontinuation of the flexible cystoscope with no replacement) hampered the companyâs ambitious growth plans. However, with the new rigid equipment being delivered at large volumes and news about the flexible cystoscope can no longer get worse, the situation should improve. PHO has a goal of 20% top line growth in 2023 and being profitable on EBITDA level ex. development costs. Having in mind the massive weakening of NOK vs USD and EUR, we believe the growth plans are modest, while this should also support the positive EBITDA. We thus estimate 30% product growth in 2023 with a minor positive EBITDA of NOK 17m (just 3% margin). Strong growth is also estimated in the coming years, as COVID-related problems are behind and the staffing shortage issue at hospitals is clearly improving.
Upgrade to Buy, as the share drop seems excessive
Ahead of the 1Q report next week, we upgrade the stock from Hold to Buy at a new TP of NOK 85/sh (90). The long-term growth story of PHO is strong. At the same time, the stock has been punished by the hiccups, most of which were out of PHOâs control. Therefore, we prepare for a strong improvement in financials this year and good and profitable growth in the coming years. There still might be surprises, but we believe the stock price drop was excessive and we see the share price significantly higher within our 12m target price horizon.
Analyst
Tomas Skeivys, CFA
+370 676 35 144
tomas.skeivys@norne.no