Quarterly Statement Q2 2022

Munich’s workforce specialist impresses in the first half of 2022 with strong order numbers and double-digit sales growth

According to provisional figures, after closing the first half of the year, ATOSS Software AG remains on its growth trajectory and is once again reporting record numbers. Group revenues were up by 17 percent to EUR 53.6 million in the first half of the year. Operating earnings increased to EUR 13.9 million (previous year: EUR 12.0 million) with an EBIT margin of 26 percent (previous year: 26 percent). Against the backdrop of outstanding order growth and with progress on further implementing its cloud transformation well on track, the Management Board is reaffirming its sales and earnings forecast for the whole of 2022.

ATOSS Software AG has once again succeeded in maintaining the pace of its growth in the second quarter of the current financial year, further expanding its strong competitive position in the market for professional workforce management. The demand for innovative, software-based solutions for the strategic management of employees continues unabated given the present volatile market fluctuations. Companies can only unleash the full working time potential of their workforce with the aid of highly complex algorithms, thereby making a tangible contribution to greater value added and competitiveness. This development is reflected impressively in the current order numbers of the ATOSS Group. For example, the normalized order intake for software licenses increased by 50 percent in the first half of the year, rising to a total of EUR 24.9 million (previous year: EUR 16.6 million). Of this figure, EUR 18.5 million (previous year: EUR 11.9 million) – i.e. 74 percent of all software orders received – was accounted for by Cloud & Subscriptions. The proportion of cloud orders received in the 2021 financial year was still at 68 percent. Expansion of the cloud’s share of the business led to a marked increase in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR for short) of 72 percent to its current level of EUR 31.9 million (previous year: EUR 18.5 million).

The ATOSS Group’s sales revenues growth in the first half of the year is equally impressive. Overall, software revenues in the period from January to June 2022 increased by an appreciable 18 percent, climbing to EUR 36.5 million (previous year: EUR 30.9 million). In Cloud & Subscriptions, ATOSS boosted revenues by 72 percent to EUR 15.1 million (previous year: EUR 8.8 million). The growth in software maintenance which has been positive for years, also continued. Revenues here rose by 9 percent to EUR 15.4 million (previous year: EUR 14.1 million). Overall, recurring revenues advanced year-on-year by 33 percent, reaching EUR 30.4 million (previous year: EUR 22.8 million). As a result, the proportion of recurring revenues in total sales – and consequently the central, key factor in the future growth of the ATOSS Group – continued to grow significantly and has now reached 57 percent (previous year: 50 percent). Revenues with consulting services expanded to EUR 13.8 million (previous year: EUR 12.1 million).

In spite of the increased proportion of cloud orders received and notwithstanding the significant year-on-year increase in expenses – particularly for R&D as part of the continuous refinement of ATOSS software solutions as well as higher personnel costs resulting from the international expansion of its sales organization – the half-yearly return on revenues relative to operating earnings (EBIT) is unchanged by comparison with the previous year at 26 percent (previous year: 26 percent). The financial result is affected entirely by the declines in the financial markets as a result of interest rate movements and the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Overall, after the deduction of taxes, the Group recorded a net result in the first half of 2022 of EUR 8.3 million (previous year: EUR 8.3 million) and an earnings per share of EUR 1.04 (previous year: EUR 1.04).

Also subsequent to the dividend distribution of EUR 1.82 per share made on May 4, 2022 (EUR 14.5 million in total), ATOSS continues to enjoy a very substantial cash position of EUR 40.6 million (previous year: EUR 33.8 million). The operating cash flow as of June 30, 2022 amounted to EUR 8.1 million (previous year: EUR 8.1 million). 

With its sound business model, financial strength and predictability of sales continuously enhanced by progress in cloud business, ATOSS remains a role model of stability and profitable growth.

Combined with its excellent performance in the first half of the year, the Management Board is again reaffirming its forecast for the whole of 2022 which was raised at the start of the year. This forecast envisages revenues growth to EUR 110 million. Furthermore, an EBIT margin of at least 25 percent is expected for the year, taking account of the investments planned in the second half of the year, particularly in the sales organization to open up new markets and in development capacity. The increasing focus on the cloud as well as the Group’s greater global alignment will also secure sustainable growth prospects for the company over the long term. As part of this process, the EBIT margin is expected to rise to at least 30 percent by 2025.