Bilfinger SE (DE0005909006)
 
 

78,60 EUR

Stand (close): 01.07.25

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26.06.25 04:59:47 Bilfinger's (ETR:GBF) Returns On Capital Are Heading Higher
If you're looking for a multi-bagger, there's a few things to keep an eye out for. Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. Speaking of which, we noticed some great changes in Bilfinger's (ETR:GBF) returns on capital, so let's have a look.

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Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Bilfinger:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.13 = €247m ÷ (€3.5b - €1.5b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2025).

Therefore, Bilfinger has an ROCE of 13%. In absolute terms, that's a satisfactory return, but compared to the Commercial Services industry average of 8.3% it's much better.

View our latest analysis for Bilfinger XTRA:GBF Return on Capital Employed June 26th 2025

In the above chart we have measured Bilfinger's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free analyst report for Bilfinger .

The Trend Of ROCE

Bilfinger has not disappointed with their ROCE growth. The figures show that over the last five years, ROCE has grown 399% whilst employing roughly the same amount of capital. So our take on this is that the business has increased efficiencies to generate these higher returns, all the while not needing to make any additional investments. It's worth looking deeper into this though because while it's great that the business is more efficient, it might also mean that going forward the areas to invest internally for the organic growth are lacking.

On a side note, Bilfinger's current liabilities are still rather high at 44% of total assets. This can bring about some risks because the company is basically operating with a rather large reliance on its suppliers or other sorts of short-term creditors. Ideally we'd like to see this reduce as that would mean fewer obligations bearing risks.

In Conclusion...

In summary, we're delighted to see that Bilfinger has been able to increase efficiencies and earn higher rates of return on the same amount of capital. And with the stock having performed exceptionally well over the last five years, these patterns are being accounted for by investors. So given the stock has proven it has promising trends, it's worth researching the company further to see if these trends are likely to persist.

Story Continues

On a separate note, we've found 1 warning sign for Bilfinger you'll probably want to know about.

For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this freelist of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity.



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Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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22.05.25 14:39:23 Bilfinger UK wins contract to maintain the National Transmission System
Bilfinger UK has been awarded a significant contract with National Gas to ensure the continuous flow of gas through National Transmission System (NTS) pipelines.

This project is expected to generate up to 100 employment opportunities, with Bilfinger UK serving as the principal designer and contractor at crucial sites.

Strategically placed compressor stations along the NTS are essential for maintaining gas flow. These stations, equipped with multiple compressor units, pressurise and propel the gas through the network at speeds reaching 25mph (40km/h).

The Control System Refurbishment project, backed by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), will see Bilfinger UK executing a comprehensive design and construction programme, including panel design and manufacturing, while also fulfilling the role of principal contractor to ensure top-tier safety and performance standards.

Following a two-year engagement in front end engineering design works, Bilfinger UK will now embark on a subsequent three-year programme of works. The contract involves a two-stage approach, emphasising early contractor involvement.

Bilfinger's Engineering, Automation and Production divisions will contribute their expertise to deliver holistic solutions.

Bilfinger Engineering & Maintenance UK Gas Framework director Ben Hill said: “This contract is a testament to our successful collaboration with National Gas and our readiness to take the project forward into detailed design, build and commissioning. By utilising resources from our Engineering, Automation and Production teams, we are well-equipped to deliver comprehensive solutions that meet the highest standards of safety and performance.

“Our partnership with National Gas reflects our commitment to innovation, efficiency and sustainability and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to meet the challenges of net zero.”

The primary design team, stationed at the Bilfinger UK headquarters in Warrington, will collaborate with colleagues in Chesterfield, St. Helens and on-site.

During the design phase, the team will comprise 40–50 individuals, expanding to as many as 100 during the peak construction period.

In February 2024, Bilfinger secured a similar contract with INEOS FPS, spanning three-years, to provide maintenance services for the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) in Scotland, with an option to extend for two additional years.

This agreement, effective from January 2024, continues a partnership spanning more than ten years, aiming to ensure the FPS' reliability and longevity, which is vital for North Sea oil and gas transportation and processing.

Story Continues

The contract will support both onshore and offshore facilities within the 169km pipeline system.

"Bilfinger UK wins contract to maintain the National Transmission System" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.

The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

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15.05.25 07:05:56 Bilfinger SE (BFLBF) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and Strategic ...
Orders Received: Increased by 11%. Revenue: Increased by 17%. EBITDA Margin: Improved by 50 basis points from 4% to 4.5%. Free Cash Flow: Increased to EUR109 million. Order Backlog: Grew by 20% overall, 4% organically. Net Profit: EUR32 million, up 27% from the previous year. Earnings Per Share: Increased to $0.84 from $0.66. Gross Profit Margin: Increased from 10.3% to 11.2%. Net Liquidity: EUR163 million. Investment Grade Rating: Upgraded to triple B minus.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with BOM:507880.

Release Date: May 14, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Bilfinger SE (BFLBF) reported a strong start to 2025 with orders received up by 11% and revenue increasing by 17%. EBITDA margin improved by 50 basis points to 4.5%, indicating better profitability. Free cash flow showed a significant increase, reaching EUR109 million. The company maintained its guidance with a revenue midpoint of EUR4.5 billion and an EBITDA margin of 5.5%. Bilfinger SE (BFLBF) achieved an upgrade to an investment-grade rating of BBB-, reflecting improved financial stability.

Negative Points

There was a slight negative development in safety metrics compared to Q1 2024, although improvements were noted versus the end of last year. Organic orders received decreased by 4%, attributed to market hesitancy due to political uncertainties in the US and Germany. The chemical and petrochemical industries remain challenging, particularly in Germany, affecting growth in these sectors. The US market faced delays in contract approvals due to political changes, impacting customer investment decisions. The company is still dealing with ongoing legal proceedings related to past construction business activities in the US.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Do you see signs of normalization in the US market, and how is the sentiment in Europe following the new German government? A: Thomas Schulz, CEO: We see stabilization and improvement in the US market. The initial uncertainty caused by government actions is easing, leading to a better mood. In Europe, the quick formation of the new German government has positively impacted sentiment, although companies are still optimizing their operations. We expect this to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the long term.

Q: Can you provide more details on the recent M&A activity, particularly the acquisition of nZero, and your plans in the US and Middle East? A: Thomas Schulz, CEO: The acquisition of nZero enhances our capabilities in gas treatment and hydrogen-related services, making us more competitive. We continue to focus on M&A in the US and Middle East, ensuring any acquisition aligns with our strategic goals and delivers shareholder value. We aim for acquisitions that can quickly integrate and add value.

Story Continues

Q: How is the Pharma sector performing, and is the growth broad-based or concentrated among a few clients? A: Thomas Schulz, CEO: The Pharma sector's growth is broad-based, driven by the industry's need to localize production and accelerate product development post-COVID. This trend is expected to continue, with strong demand for our services in Central Europe.

Q: Regarding the completion of the US legal case, was this included in your guidance, and are there any other pending legal issues? A: Matti Jaekel, CFO: Yes, the settlement was included in our 2025 guidance. We have a few remaining legal matters related to past US construction contracts, but these are typical and being addressed.

Q: How do you view the current demand trajectory, given the organic order decline? A: Thomas Schulz, CEO: Despite the organic order decline, we remain positive about growth in 2025. The first half of the year was affected by political uncertainties, but we expect improvement in the second half. Our recent acquisitions, like Stork, are performing well and enhancing our competitiveness.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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16.04.25 10:31:37 European Dividend Stocks To Enhance Your Portfolio
Amid escalating trade tensions and market volatility, the European markets have experienced a downturn, with the pan-European STOXX Europe 600 Index closing lower. In this environment, dividend stocks can offer stability and income potential for investors seeking to enhance their portfolios.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Europe

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Julius Bär Gruppe (SWX:BAER) 5.22% ★★★★★★ Bredband2 i Skandinavien (OM:BRE2) 4.81% ★★★★★★ Zurich Insurance Group (SWX:ZURN) 4.61% ★★★★★★ Mapfre (BME:MAP) 5.62% ★★★★★★ HEXPOL (OM:HPOL B) 4.97% ★★★★★★ Deutsche Post (XTRA:DHL) 5.10% ★★★★★★ Allianz (XTRA:ALV) 4.49% ★★★★★★ Cembra Money Bank (SWX:CMBN) 4.26% ★★★★★★ Rubis (ENXTPA:RUI) 7.37% ★★★★★★ Banque Cantonale Vaudoise (SWX:BCVN) 4.50% ★★★★★★

Click here to see the full list of 241 stocks from our Top European Dividend Stocks screener.

Let's explore several standout options from the results in the screener.

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆

Overview: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) offers a range of corporate, retail, investment, and private banking services with a market cap of approximately SEK295.90 billion.

Operations: Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) generates revenue from several segments, including Large Corporates & Financial Institutions (SEK32.02 billion), Corporate & Private Customers excluding Private Wealth Management & Family Office (SEK25.62 billion), Baltic operations (SEK13.34 billion), Private Wealth Management & Family Office (SEK4.61 billion), Life services (SEK3.80 billion), and Investment Management (SEK3.37 billion).

Dividend Yield: 7.9%

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken recently approved an ordinary dividend of SEK 8.50 per share and a special dividend of SEK 3.00 per share, with a record date of April 3, 2025. Despite its dividends being volatile over the past decade, SEB maintains a reasonable payout ratio of 48.6%, indicating current earnings coverage. However, future earnings are expected to decline slightly by an average of 2% annually over the next three years, potentially impacting dividend sustainability.

Click here to discover the nuances of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken with our detailed analytical dividend report. The valuation report we've compiled suggests that Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken's current price could be quite moderate.OM:SEB A Dividend History as at Apr 2025

Bilfinger

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: Bilfinger SE is an industrial services provider serving the process industry in Europe, North America, and the Middle East with a market cap of €2.57 billion.

Operations: Bilfinger SE's revenue is primarily derived from its Engineering & Maintenance Europe segment (€3.51 billion), followed by Technologies (€732.10 million) and Engineering & Maintenance International (€709.60 million).

Story Continues

Dividend Yield: 3.5%

Bilfinger's dividend payments have been historically volatile and unreliable, yet they have increased over the past decade. The company recently announced a dividend of €2.40 per share, payable in May 2025. Despite trading at a good value and having earnings and cash flows cover its payout ratio of 50.6%, its dividend yield of 3.51% is below the top tier in Germany. Recent earnings showed stable performance with net income slightly lower than the previous year at €179.5 million on sales of €5 billion.

Click here and access our complete dividend analysis report to understand the dynamics of Bilfinger. Our valuation report here indicates Bilfinger may be undervalued.XTRA:GBF Dividend History as at Apr 2025

INDUS Holding

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★★☆

Overview: INDUS Holding AG is a private equity firm focused on mergers and acquisitions as well as corporate spin-offs, with a market cap of €578.34 million.

Operations: INDUS Holding AG generates its revenue from three primary segments: Materials (€565.13 million), Engineering (€598.26 million), and Infrastructure (€559.52 million).

Dividend Yield: 4.9%

INDUS Holding's dividends have been historically volatile, but recent proposals maintain a €1.20 per share payout, yielding 5.9%. This is well-covered by earnings and cash flows with payout ratios of 38.4% and 30.8%, respectively. Despite high debt levels, the company trades at a significant discount to its estimated fair value and offers one of the top dividend yields in Germany. Recent buybacks have reduced outstanding shares by 7.01%.

Take a closer look at INDUS Holding's potential here in our dividend report. Our comprehensive valuation report raises the possibility that INDUS Holding is priced lower than what may be justified by its financials.XTRA:INH Dividend History as at Apr 2025

Turning Ideas Into Actions

Embark on your investment journey to our 241 Top European Dividend Stocks selection here. Are you invested in these stocks already? Keep abreast of every twist and turn by setting up a portfolio with Simply Wall St, where we make it simple for investors like you to stay informed and proactive. Join a community of smart investors by using Simply Wall St. It's free and delivers expert-level analysis on worldwide markets.

Searching for a Fresh Perspective?

Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention. Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include OM:SEB A XTRA:GBF and XTRA:INH.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

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02.04.25 12:52:03 Bilfinger's (ETR:GBF) Shareholders Will Receive A Bigger Dividend Than Last Year
Bilfinger SE's (ETR:GBF) dividend will be increasing from last year's payment of the same period to €2.40 on 19th of May. The payment will take the dividend yield to 3.6%, which is in line with the average for the industry.

While the dividend yield is important for income investors, it is also important to consider any large share price moves, as this will generally outweigh any gains from distributions. Investors will be pleased to see that Bilfinger's stock price has increased by 45% in the last 3 months, which is good for shareholders and can also explain a decrease in the dividend yield.

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Bilfinger's Future Dividend Projections Appear Well Covered By Earnings

We like to see a healthy dividend yield, but that is only helpful to us if the payment can continue. The last dividend was quite easily covered by Bilfinger's earnings. This means that a large portion of its earnings are being retained to grow the business.

Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to rise by 41.8% over the next year. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 35% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range.XTRA:GBF Historic Dividend April 2nd 2025

See our latest analysis for Bilfinger

Dividend Volatility

The company's dividend history has been marked by instability, with at least one cut in the last 10 years. Since 2015, the annual payment back then was €2.00, compared to the most recent full-year payment of €2.40. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 1.8% over that duration. The dividend has seen some fluctuations in the past, so even though the dividend was raised this year, we should remember that it has been cut in the past.

The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow

Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. We are encouraged to see that Bilfinger has grown earnings per share at 217% per year over the past five years. The company's earnings per share has grown rapidly in recent years, and it has a good balance between reinvesting and paying dividends to shareholders, so we think that Bilfinger could prove to be a strong dividend payer.

Bilfinger Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock

Overall, we think this could be an attractive income stock, and it is only getting better by paying a higher dividend this year. Distributions are quite easily covered by earnings, which are also being converted to cash flows. All of these factors considered, we think this has solid potential as a dividend stock.

Story Continues

Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For instance, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Bilfinger that investors should take into consideration. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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25.03.25 09:34:50 Should You Think About Buying Bilfinger SE (ETR:GBF) Now?
While Bilfinger SE (ETR:GBF) might not have the largest market cap around , it received a lot of attention from a substantial price increase on the XTRA over the last few months. The recent share price gains has brought the company back closer to its yearly peak. With many analysts covering the mid-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stock’s share price. However, what if the stock is still a bargain? Let’s take a look at Bilfinger’s outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if the opportunity still exists.

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Is Bilfinger Still Cheap?

According to our price multiple model, which makes a comparison between the company's price-to-earnings ratio and the industry average, the stock price seems to be justfied. In this instance, we’ve used the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio given that there is not enough information to reliably forecast the stock’s cash flows. We find that Bilfinger’s ratio of 14.52x is trading slightly below its industry peers’ ratio of 15.01x, which means if you buy Bilfinger today, you’d be paying a decent price for it. And if you believe that Bilfinger should be trading at this level in the long run, then there’s not much of an upside to gain over and above other industry peers. So, is there another chance to buy low in the future? Given that Bilfinger’s share is fairly volatile (i.e. its price movements are magnified relative to the rest of the market) this could mean the price can sink lower, giving us an opportunity to buy later on. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for share price volatility.

View our latest analysis for Bilfinger

Can we expect growth from Bilfinger?XTRA:GBF Earnings and Revenue Growth March 25th 2025

Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Although value investors would argue that it’s the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. Bilfinger's earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 42%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value.

What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? It seems like the market has already priced in GBF’s positive outlook, with shares trading around industry price multiples. However, there are also other important factors which we haven’t considered today, such as the track record of its management team. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at GBF? Will you have enough confidence to invest in the company should the price drop below the industry PE ratio?

Story Continues

Are you a potential investor? If you’ve been keeping an eye on GBF, now may not be the most advantageous time to buy, given it is trading around industry price multiples. However, the optimistic forecast is encouraging for GBF, which means it’s worth further examining other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop.

If you want to dive deeper into Bilfinger, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Bilfinger.

If you are no longer interested in Bilfinger, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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07.03.25 05:06:29 Bilfinger (ETR:GBF) Is Increasing Its Dividend To €2.40
Bilfinger SE (ETR:GBF) will increase its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 19th of May to €2.40. Even though the dividend went up, the yield is still quite low at only 3.3%.

While the dividend yield is important for income investors, it is also important to consider any large share price moves, as this will generally outweigh any gains from distributions. Investors will be pleased to see that Bilfinger's stock price has increased by 60% in the last 3 months, which is good for shareholders and can also explain a decrease in the dividend yield.

See our latest analysis for Bilfinger

Bilfinger's Projected Earnings Seem Likely To Cover Future Distributions

The dividend yield is a little bit low, but sustainability of the payments is also an important part of evaluating an income stock. However, prior to this announcement, Bilfinger's dividend was comfortably covered by both cash flow and earnings. As a result, a large proportion of what it earned was being reinvested back into the business.

The next year is set to see EPS grow by 41.5%. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 34% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward.XTRA:GBF Historic Dividend March 7th 2025

Dividend Volatility

While the company has been paying a dividend for a long time, it has cut the dividend at least once in the last 10 years. The dividend has gone from an annual total of €3.00 in 2015 to the most recent total annual payment of €2.40. This works out to be a decline of approximately 2.2% per year over that time. Generally, we don't like to see a dividend that has been declining over time as this can degrade shareholders' returns and indicate that the company may be running into problems.

The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow

Growing earnings per share could be a mitigating factor when considering the past fluctuations in the dividend. It's encouraging to see that Bilfinger has been growing its earnings per share at 217% a year over the past five years. Earnings per share is growing at a solid clip, and the payout ratio is low which we think is an ideal combination in a dividend stock as the company can quite easily raise the dividend in the future.

Bilfinger Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock

Overall, a dividend increase is always good, and we think that Bilfinger is a strong income stock thanks to its track record and growing earnings. Earnings are easily covering distributions, and the company is generating plenty of cash. Taking this all into consideration, this looks like it could be a good dividend opportunity.

Story Continues

Investors generally tend to favour companies with a consistent, stable dividend policy as opposed to those operating an irregular one. At the same time, there are other factors our readers should be conscious of before pouring capital into a stock. Taking the debate a bit further, we've identified 1 warning sign for Bilfinger that investors need to be conscious of moving forward. Is Bilfinger not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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06.03.25 04:57:21 Bilfinger Full Year 2024 Earnings: EPS Beats Expectations
Bilfinger (ETR:GBF) Full Year 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: €5.04b (up 12% from FY 2023). Net income: €178.0m (flat on FY 2023). Profit margin: 3.5% (down from 4.0% in FY 2023). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses. EPS: €4.75 (down from €4.75 in FY 2023).XTRA:GBF Earnings and Revenue Growth March 6th 2025

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Bilfinger EPS Beats Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) surpassed analyst estimates by 10%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 3.9% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 4.0% growth forecast for the Commercial Services industry in Germany.

Performance of the German Commercial Services industry.

The company's shares are up 24% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

We don't want to rain on the parade too much, but we did also find 1 warning sign for Bilfinger that you need to be mindful of.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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05.03.25 07:03:10 Bilfinger SE (BFLBF) (Q4 2024) Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and Improved ...
Revenue: Increased by 12% to more than EUR5 billion for 2024. EBITDA Margin: Improved from 4.3% to 5.2%, a 39% increase. Free Cash Flow: Increased by 55% to EUR189 million. Earnings Per Share: EUR4.79 for the full year 2024. Dividend Proposal: EUR2.40 per share for 2024. Orders Received: Up by 13% to EUR5.3 billion. Order Backlog: Reported a 22% improvement. Net Profit: Adjusted net profit increased to EUR169 million. Cash Conversion Rate: 71%, with an adjusted rate of 88%. Net Debt/EBITDA: 0.54%, well below the 2.00 upper ceiling.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with BBY.

Release Date: March 04, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Bilfinger SE (BFLBF) achieved all financial targets for 2024, with orders received up by 13% and revenue up by 12%. EBITDA margin improved from 4.3% to 5.2%, indicating a solid financial performance. The company reported a significant increase in free cash flow, from EUR122 million to EUR189 million, marking a 55% improvement. Bilfinger SE (BFLBF) maintained a positive cash flow for six consecutive quarters, showcasing effective working capital management. The company proposed a dividend of EUR2.40 for 2024, reflecting a payout ratio of 53% in line with its dividend policy.

Negative Points

The LTIF (Lost Time Injury Frequency) indicator showed a negative trend, highlighting a deterioration in occupational safety. EBITDA margin in the international segment decreased from 5.4% to 1.6% in Q4 due to risk provisioning for discontinued projects in North America. Orders received in the international segment dropped by 22%, partly due to slowed decision-making in the US following a new administration. The company faces challenges in the chemical and petrochemical industries, particularly in Germany, due to regional differences and market conditions. The guidance for 2025 includes a broad range for revenue and EBITDA, reflecting uncertainties in economic scenarios and political decisions.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide more details on the broad range of guidance for 2025, especially concerning the segment Europe? A: Thomas Schulz, CEO: The range is influenced by various factors, including political decisions and economic scenarios. In the US, delays in government approvals could impact the lower end of our guidance. The Middle East is performing as expected, with opportunities for growth. In Europe, the outcome of the German election and subsequent infrastructure investments will significantly affect our performance. If these investments materialize, we could see growth towards the higher end of our guidance.

Story Continues

Q: Is the high cash conversion rate of around 90% sustainable going forward? A: Matti Jaekel, CFO: While achieving a 90% cash conversion rate is favorable, we are targeting an 80% rate as a sustainable midterm goal. The recent high rates were supported by favorable order intake and advance payments, which may not be consistent every year. We aim to maintain an 80% rate as a realistic target.

Q: Regarding the US market, are there any remaining financial risks with the last construction projects? A: Thomas Schulz, CEO: We are finalizing the last remaining construction project, and it is properly provisioned. There are no new developments regarding the Sapelo Island incident in Georgia.

Q: Why is there only a moderate margin increase expected for this year compared to last year? A: Thomas Schulz, CEO: This year is unique due to the US election and the German government's slow activity, impacting market dynamics. We aim for sustainable, profitable growth and expect margin expansion as political and economic conditions stabilize, particularly in the second half of 2025.

Q: How is the order intake progressing in Europe and the US, considering the current economic conditions? A: Thomas Schulz, CEO: In the US, despite a temporary slowdown due to government activities, demand remains strong, particularly in energy-related industries. In Europe, while the chemical industry faces challenges, we continue to receive orders. Political decisions on infrastructure and energy costs will influence future order volumes.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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27.02.25 06:16:13 Bilfinger SE's (ETR:GBF) Stock Is Going Strong: Is the Market Following Fundamentals?
Bilfinger's (ETR:GBF) stock is up by a considerable 31% over the past three months. Since the market usually pay for a company’s long-term fundamentals, we decided to study the company’s key performance indicators to see if they could be influencing the market. In this article, we decided to focus on Bilfinger's ROE.

Return on equity or ROE is a key measure used to assess how efficiently a company's management is utilizing the company's capital. In short, ROE shows the profit each dollar generates with respect to its shareholder investments.

See our latest analysis for Bilfinger

How Is ROE Calculated?

Return on equity can be calculated by using the formula:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) ÷ Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Bilfinger is:

19% = €237m ÷ €1.3b (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2024).

The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. Another way to think of that is that for every €1 worth of equity, the company was able to earn €0.19 in profit.

What Is The Relationship Between ROE And Earnings Growth?

We have already established that ROE serves as an efficient profit-generating gauge for a company's future earnings. Depending on how much of these profits the company reinvests or "retains", and how effectively it does so, we are then able to assess a company’s earnings growth potential. Assuming all else is equal, companies that have both a higher return on equity and higher profit retention are usually the ones that have a higher growth rate when compared to companies that don't have the same features.

A Side By Side comparison of Bilfinger's Earnings Growth And 19% ROE

To begin with, Bilfinger seems to have a respectable ROE. Further, the company's ROE compares quite favorably to the industry average of 7.3%. This certainly adds some context to Bilfinger's exceptional 34% net income growth seen over the past five years. However, there could also be other causes behind this growth. For instance, the company has a low payout ratio or is being managed efficiently.

As a next step, we compared Bilfinger's net income growth with the industry, and pleasingly, we found that the growth seen by the company is higher than the average industry growth of 26%.XTRA:GBF Past Earnings Growth February 27th 2025

Earnings growth is an important metric to consider when valuing a stock. It’s important for an investor to know whether the market has priced in the company's expected earnings growth (or decline). Doing so will help them establish if the stock's future looks promising or ominous. Has the market priced in the future outlook for GBF? You can find out in our latest intrinsic value infographic research report.

Story Continues

Is Bilfinger Making Efficient Use Of Its Profits?

The three-year median payout ratio for Bilfinger is 38%, which is moderately low. The company is retaining the remaining 62%. So it seems that Bilfinger is reinvesting efficiently in a way that it sees impressive growth in its earnings (discussed above) and pays a dividend that's well covered.

Additionally, Bilfinger has paid dividends over a period of at least ten years which means that the company is pretty serious about sharing its profits with shareholders. Our latest analyst data shows that the future payout ratio of the company is expected to rise to 48% over the next three years. Accordingly, the expected increase in the payout ratio explains the expected decline in the company's ROE to 15%, over the same period.

Summary

In total, we are pretty happy with Bilfinger's performance. In particular, it's great to see that the company is investing heavily into its business and along with a high rate of return, that has resulted in a sizeable growth in its earnings. Having said that, the company's earnings growth is expected to slow down, as forecasted in the current analyst estimates. To know more about the company's future earnings growth forecasts take a look at this freereport on analyst forecasts for the company to find out more.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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