I have been focusing my portfolio for weeks now. So the question arose: what will be the result? Of course, the companies that overlap have to go first. Now the problem arises as to which share is better. With $GEHC (-0.88%) vs. $SHL (+0.43%) After much deliberation, I opted for $SHL (+0.43%) after much deliberation. Now only $GEV (-1.35%) vs. $ENR (+0.11%) . Here the decision is just as difficult for me. One is cheaper than the other, the other is fundamentally better and... Both have pros and cons, so I'm wondering if any of you have any ideas.

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Today there were fresh figures from Siemens $SIE (-0.57%) for the second quarter of 2025 and, as always, I'll try to make them as understandable as possible for you 📈

In this article you will find everything you need to know about the current status.

The information is based entirely on the Q2 report [1], the media presentation [2] and the earnings call [3].

Hier to the article from the last quarterly report.

📅 First of all, the context: Why Q2 at Siemens?

Siemens' fiscal year begins in October. That means:

• Q2 2025 covers the period from January to March 2025
• The figures were published on May 15, 2025

Overall overview: Robust performance with a special effect

Siemens delivered a strong operating performance. Sales grew by 6 %, incoming orders by 9 %. An important driver was a special gain from the sale of a company in the Smart Infrastructure division, more on this later.

Key figures

• Turnover+6% to € 19.8 billion
• Incoming orders: +9% to € 21.6 billion
• Book-to-bill ratio: 1.10 -> more orders than sales
• Order backlog: € 117 billion -> still at a record level 🔥
• Profit after tax (continuing operations): € 2.44 billion
• EPS (before PPA): € 3.00 -> incl. € 0.32 profit from the sale of the company

👉 The profit includes a special effect from the sale of the Wiring Accessories business in the Smart Infrastructure division. This contributed around € 0.32 to EPS and 550 basis points to the margin.

("EPS before PPA" shows the operating earnings per share, excluding distortions due to acquisition-related special effects, which analysts consider to be the more realistic benchmark for measuring earnings)

• Free cash flow (Industrial division): € 2.1 billion

(Why only the Industrial Sector is stated: Because the focus is on the Industrial Sector without Healthineers & Financial Services as the core business. This shows Siemens' true operating financial strength, without dividends from investments or financial transactions)

The Siemens Groups at a glance

Share of total sales:

• Digital Industries: 21,7%
• Smart Infrastructure: 28,8%
• Mobility: 16,2%
• Siemens Healthineers: ~28%
• Siemens Financial Services: 0,5%

*Difference to 100%: "Reconciliation to consolidated figures, see end of article

📊 Digital Industries (DI):

Siemens is global leader in industrial automation and software for factories. This involves robot control systems, production software and automation solutions for the automotive, pharmaceutical and electronics industries, for example.

Our productsSIMATIC, NX, Teamcenter, TIA Portal

📉 figures:

• Turnover: -5 % to € 4.3 billion
• Profit: -9 % to € 512 million
• Incoming orders: stable at € 4.3 billion
• Book-to-bill: 1,00

🔎 Regional trends:

• China: Incoming orders -16%, sales -10%
• Germany: Sales -22 %
• USA: stable sales

What's going on at Digital Industries...

Digital Industries is Siemens' central division for industrial automation and software, i.e. actually the area that should offer the greatest leverage in AI, efficiency and scalability in the future, which makes the current decline of Sales: -5% & profit: -9%.

• Particularly affected: discrete automation (e.g. mechanical engineering, automotive, electronics)

3 main reasons identified:

Destocking: destocking is dragging on

The problem was already visible in Q1, as in my article: customers (especially mechanical engineering & electronics manufacturers) ordered massively during the corona period, but now they don't need any new components for the time being because their warehouses are still full.

The consequenceLess call-offs, less sales at Siemens, although the demand remains in the medium term.

CFO Ralf Thomas:

"Distributor inventories in China are still above levels, even if declining."

Regional weaknesses, especially Europe & China

• In China, FDI sales fell by -10% in Q2, incoming orders by as much as -16%
• In Germany, sales even fell by -22%

• Reasons: hesitant investments, uncertain economy, geopolitical tensions

CEO Roland Busch:

"We need clarity on trade policy. Customers are holding back investments in key regions."

EDA software weakens, despite strong PLM

The software share is split in two:

• PLM (Product Lifecycle Management): +9% growth (positive)
• EDA (Electronic Design Automation): -34 % in orders (a heavy burden on earnings)

EDA tools are primarily used by chip manufacturers, where investment restraint is currently particularly high following the boom of recent years.

What's next...

✅ The book-to-bill ratio is back at 1.0 - a first signal of stabilization

✅ Siemens expects improvement from H2 if inventories continue to fall and the economy stabilizes

✅ Software business remains profitable in the long term, also due to the integration of Altair

CFO Ralf Thomas:

"We see green shoots in PLM and some signs of stabilization in short-cycle factory automation."

Interim conclusion Digital Industries:

The decline in DI is not a structural problem, but a cyclical weakness combined with geopolitical uncertainty. Siemens itself is continuing to invest in AI & software and believes that the downturn will bottom out this year.

For investors this means: Be patient, DI remains the key to the future in my opinion, even if it is currently bumpy.

🏡 Smart Infrastructure (SI): The star in the quarta

This is about energy supply, building automation and infrastructure. Siemens helps companies to work more efficiently and sustainably, from smart buildings to energy grid feed-in

Known products/services:

• Charging stations for electric cars
• Building management systems for smart office buildings
• Switchgear for power grids

figures:

• Turnover: +10 % to € 5.7 billion
• Profit: +27% to € 979 million (incl. special effect)
• Incoming orders: -3 % (strong comparative quarter)

Drivers:

• Data centers, power grids and industrial orders
• Services +6 %, broad margin expansion (18.5 % operating EBIT margin)
• USA & China strong growth in sales

🏷️ Wiring Accessories sales:

Sale of switches, sockets etc. -> no longer a strategic focus.

CFO Ralf Thomas:

"Concentrate on high-margin, digital and scalable solutions"

🚆 Mobility (MO): New orders, top margin

Siemens builds and maintains trains, rail infrastructure and signaling technology. The focus here is on fast, efficient and sustainable mobility systems.

Well-known products/services:

• ICE trains for Deutsche Bahn
• Metro systems for major cities
• Digital interlockings for railroad lines

numbers:

• Turnover: +12 % to € 3.2 billion
• Profit: +70% to € 331 million (margin 9.4%)
• Incoming orders: +22% to € 3.9 billion
• Book-to-bill: 1,22

Drivers:

• New major orders in Rolling Stock & Rail Infrastructure
• Services continues with high margin, order backlog at €49 billion

CEO Roland Busch:

"Train business remains resistant to economic cycles and can be planned for the long term."

🧬 Siemens Healthineers $SHL (+0.43%) (SHS): Strong performance despite trading risks

Siemens is a leader in medical and diagnostic technology. The company supplies imaging systems, laboratory diagnostics and digital healthcare solutions.

Known products/services:

• MRI & CT devices for hospitals
• Laboratory diagnostics for blood tests & cancer research
• AI-supported diagnostic software

Numbers

• Double-digit increase in orders
• Sales growth in the mid single-digit range
• US trade tariffs (anti-dumping) have a negative impact, but no direct drop in profits

💰 Siemens Financial Services (SFS)

Siemens offers leasing and financing services, e.g. for companies that want to modernize their infrastructure.

Known products/services:

• Leasing for medical technology
• Project financing for renewable energies
• Industrial investments

Earnings before taxes: € +210 million (previous year: € 184 million)

• Main driver201 million profit from the sale of shareholdings
• Return on equity at 12.8%

Strategic highlights: AI, Altair & Innovation

📌 Altair takeover completed

Siemens strengthens its portfolio for industrial AI & simulation with the acquisition of Altair.

GoalComprehensive, AI-supported software offering across all industries.

CEO Roland Busch On the Altair deal:

"After a very stringent regulatory approval process, we closed the Altair acquisition earlier than planned. Customer feedback for the most complete AI-powered design and simulation portfolio has been excellent.

➡ Early closing of the Altair deal, integration and synergies start immediately Siemens is thus massively expanding its software portfolio.

📌 New acquisition: Dotmatics

• Specialist for AI-supported life science software (laboratory data, drug development)
• 95% subscription revenue, >40% EBITDA margin
• Complements Healthineers + PLM division

📌 Xcelerator & Industrial Copilot: Siemens drives industrial AI forward

Together with partners such as Microsoft $MSFT (-0.41%) , NVIDIA
$NVDA (-0.53%) and Accenture
$ACN (+0.38%) are building an AI ecosystem for industry with the aim of revolutionizing manufacturing and development processes through artificial intelligence and digital twins.

Xcelerator is the open Siemens platform for industrial software, hardware and digital services.

Industrial Copilot is a new tool based on Foundation Models (comparable to GPT, but for industrial applications):

• It can generate control code by voice input
• Accelerates processes in development, production and maintenance
• First practical application, e.g. at Audi in production

Siemens was honored with the Hermes Award 2025 for real business impact.

GoalIncrease efficiency, avoid errors and cushion the shortage of skilled workers with intelligent assistance systems.

Roland Busch:
About the Industrial Copilot & Xcelerator

"Our Siemens Industrial Copilot received the prestigious Hermes Award for business impact - it's the first real generative AI for the factory floor.

➡ Siemens emphasizes the lead in AI in industry with real customer impact, e.g. Audi .

Regions at a glance

• Americas region: 42% share of sales, driven by strong demand in the USA - particularly in Smart Infrastructure and Mobility.
• China: Still weak, but first signs of recovery in DI
• Europe (EMEA): Mixed, Germany with weaknesses in the automation business

Siemens & Siemens Energy $ENR (+0.11%): only a side note

Even though Siemens Energy has been an independent company since 2020, Siemens AG still holds a minority stake of less than 15% (as of Q2 2025).

The stake has been gradually reduced in recent years, with a large proportion going to the Siemens Pension Trust, for example.

In Q1 2024, this step resulted in a one-off gain of €500 million; this effect will be absent in 2025.

CFO Ralf Thomas (Q2 Call):

"We continue the divestment of the Siemens Energy stake - now below 15%."

Is this still relevant for investors?

No, Siemens Energy no longer plays an operational role for Siemens AG.

What remains, however, are risks at Siemens Energy (e.g. Gamesa, wind power problems, anti-dumping duties), which investors may still associate with Siemens. Even if at least emotionally.

However, Siemens itself emphasizes that Energy is no longer part of the strategic core.

In accounting terms, the investment is listed under "financial assets" and is to be further reduced.

Trade tariffs & geopolitics

USA imposes tariffs on products from Europe & China

Siemens Healthineers particularly affected: -€200-300 million profit risk

CEO Roland Busch:

"Tariff uncertainty is already having an impact on investment decisions."

Siemens is increasingly localizing production & supply chains ("local for local")

CFO Ralf Thomas on macroeconomic risks

"Looking ahead, further recovery of economic activity will depend heavily on clarity about the future tariff environment and on timely resolution of trade conflicts.

➡ Siemens identifies risks from trade conflicts, but remains optimistic

🔮 Outlook for 2025

• Total sales growth: 3-7% confirmed
• EPS (before PPA, without Innomotics): € 10.40-11.00

Segment targets:

• DI: -6% to +1%, margin: 15-19
• SI: +6-9%, margin: 17-18
• MO: +8-10%, margin: 8-10

👉 Siemens expects continued volatility (trade tariffs, economy, China), but believes it is strategically well positioned.

Further insights from the call:

CEO Roland Busch:

On the current global situation and Siemens' role in it:

"The last few months demonstrated to all of us how fundamentally and how fast the world is transforming... In an environment of accelerating technological progress driven by data and AI, we have to fundamentally rebuild our products, processes, and the way we operate."

➡ ContextSiemens sees the current upheaval as an opportunity for fundamental transformation and wants to be a leader in AI & digitalization.

About the strategic vision "One Tech Company":

"Through our leadership in industrial AI, we enable our customers to combine the real and the digital worlds to improve competitiveness, resilience and sustainability and to achieve real impact."

➡ Siemens is positioning itself as a central enabler of industrial digitalization

CFO Ralf Thomas: On the financial strength in Q2:

"Our excellent profit of €3.2 billion in the Industrial Business clearly topped market expectations even without the divestment gain from Wiring Accessories."

➡ Siemens shows strong operating performance - the special effect was not decisive for the success .

On the strategic importance of China:

"When I was in China... we noted some encouraging signals for more cooperation and openness to drive high-tech and high-quality growth."

Siemens relies on localized development and production; 16 new products were launched locally.

Current share price movement:

Looks like a slight price correction, probably a technical reaction.

• Profit taking
• Macroeconomic uncertainties
• Or or or

Valuation (no investment advice)

With a P/E RATIO of around 18 for a global industrial group with stable margins with stable margins, a growing share of software and high free cash flow is rather moderately valued in my opinion.

Especially compared to many highly valued growth or tech stocks, the valuation may even look rather attractive in the long term, especially when you consider that Siemens now generates around a third of its business with digital, software-based solutions and the trend is rising.

In combination with the strong Q2 figures, the confirmed outlook and a solid order backlog of 117 bn., Siemens is currently delivering a convincing mix of operational stability and structural growth potential.

For me, the share is therefore neither overvalued nor speculative, but appears fundamentally sound, strategically well positioned and interesting in the long term thanks to clear megatrends such as:

• Artificial intelligence & automation
• Decarbonization & electrification
• Digitalization of the industry

Conclusion

• In my view, Siemens has once again delivered a strong performance, both operationally and strategically.
• Smart Infrastructure & Mobility are the strong segments
• Digital Industries (recovery expected from H2) remains challenging
• The focus on software with AI & sustainability is clearly being implemented

The order backlog of 117 bn € is simply insane and, together with the cash flow, provides a certain degree of security

CEO Roland Busch:

"Our backlog is high-quality, high-margin and provides planning security."

I see Siemens as future-proof in the long term, top position in Industry 4.0, electrification & health tech

Strong balance sheet & dividend

Short-term headwinds from the economy & tariffs don't bother me.

I am holding my position and will double the current value within the next few months, Siemens remains a stable core stock with tech ambitions for me!

______

Thanks for reading! 🤝

______

Sources:

[1] https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:1d09b7cc-50a4-48c5-b632-8b26971ba722/2025-q2-earnings-release-de.pdf

[2] https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:2adbcbb2-f53b-4bb3-ba78-37ed1cb3948b/2025-q2-presentation-en.pdf

[3] https://web.quartr.com/link/companies/3485/events/257252/transcript?targetTime=0.0

______

*Difference in sales shares:

The ~5% difference is explained by:

Reconciliation consolidated financial statements

- Internal allocations, currency adjustments, cross-segment effects

Consolidation & other

- e.g. eliminated sales between the segments

These items are shown in the balance sheet under "Reconciliation to consolidated figures" in the balance sheet. In Q2, this reconciliation figure amounted to € 1.055 billion

The missing % of revenue is attributable to consolidation-related reconciliations and non-operationally allocated revenue, a completely normal figure for a diversified group such as Siemens.

Until recently, close business relations with China were considered a blemish - investors punished such shares with discounts. But now the narrative has changed abruptly: Following the agreement in the trade dispute with the USA, China is suddenly being seen as an opportunity again.

"Welt" has analyzed data from the US investment bank Goldman Sachs analyzed. Goldman has compiled several indices that are heavily influenced by the China issue and which show how much of a discount the values still have.

Some European tech stocks with high China business are also identified as potential winners.

Some examples:

$ASM (-1.24%) - ASM International | Potential +27%

$ASML (-0.57%) - ASML +16%

$SHL (+0.43%) - Siemens Healthineers +26%

$MC (-1.96%) - LVMH +15%

$ADS (-1.29%) - Adidas +19%

Source: Welt, 13.05.25 (excerpt)

🧬 BICO
$BICO (-2.88%) has been on my watchlist since my early days on getquin.

In 2021, the company was on everyone's lips, celebrated as the company of the future in bioprinting.

But what followed was a classic hype cycle: the share price rose rapidly, was cheered by quite a few "finfluencers" and then plummeted just as sharply.

Many people got their fingers burnt back then. What remains is the image of an overvalued tech fantasy, fueled by empty promises and loud voices without substance.

And yet: The company has remained. So has the vision, and in recent months a lot seems to have changed structurally.

Today, more than 80 % below its all-time high, the question arises anew:

Is BICO simply an overrated stock market experiment...

... or is the current valuation realistic for the first time and BICO on the way to translating its technological substance into a genuine business model?

Over the past few weeks, I have been taking a closer look at the company's structure, history and current developments, including the latest figures [1] and the earnings call [2] from 29.04.25.

In this article, I share my collected insights, thoughts and assessments for those who also have the company on their watchlist.

As always:
No investment advice. I don't want to contribute to more burnt fingers, but to encourage reflection.

Have fun!

BICO Group AB (formerly CELLINK) is a Swedish life science company founded in 2016.

The original innovation: a biocompatible ink for 3D printing of living cells, a small revolution in research.

Today, BICO stands for a big goal: Bioconvergence.

This means merging biology, technology, software and automation to make research, diagnostics and drug development faster, cheaper and more efficient.

What is the vision and how does BICO make money?

The vision: The laboratory of the future. Automated, networked, efficient with AI, robotics and bioprinting.

This is how BICO earns money today:

• Bioprinting3D printing of living cells & tissue (CELLINK) read more...

• Diagnostic solutions & microdosing (SCIENION)

• Lab AutomationFully automated workflows through software such as Green Button Go® (Biosero)

• Consumables & services for laboratories and research facilities

Share of Sales 2024:

Excursus
Bioprinting:

BICO was with CELLINK was one of the first suppliers worldwide to offer bioprinters plus matching "bioinks" commercially.

The basic idea:

• A 3D printer (e.g. the CELLINK BIO X6) prints cells in layers, similar to how a normal 3D printer layers plastic.
• Instead of plastic, a special "ink" is used: Bioink.

Bioink and what it is made of:

Bioink is a gel-like substance that is mixed with living cells. It contains, for example:

• Alginate (from algae)
• gelatine
• collagen
• hyaluronic acid
• Cell nutrient solutions

This matrix keeps the cells alive and makes it possible to print biologically active structures, e.g. tissue samples, tumor models or skin structures.

Is this already being done today or is it all future?

Yes, it is being done, but not clinically.

Bioprinting is currently being used, for example:

• Cell models for drug testing (in research & at pharmaceutical companies)
• printing tumor tissue to better test therapies
• Tissue samples used for toxicology tests (e.g. skin, cartilage, blood vessels)

What is not yet possible:

• Complete organs (hearts, livers, kidneys) for transplants

Because...

• Organs are extremely complex (blood vessels, nerves, functions)
• Currently lack the ability to keep them alive in the long term
• This is also a huge step in regulatory terms

🔮 Future potential: unrealistic or groundbreaking

If bioprinting really breaks through in medicine, we will be talking about one of the biggest breakthroughs of the 21st century:

• organs on demand (no donor needed)
• personalized medicine
• Animal-free drug development

RealisticFirst functional organs could be available in 10 -20 years clinically relevant, but first in small pilot studies or animal models.

Are there any research results or publications on this?

Yes, BICO (especially CELLINK) is a regular co-author or technology partner in publications.

Especially in areas such as:

• Tumor models
• tissue modeling
• biocompatibility
• Skin and cartilage models

Several universities and research institutions use the BIO X printers, including for example MIT and Harvard

Trusted partners:

• Sartorius$SRT (+2.35%) (has taken over MatTek/Visikol, remains cooperation partner)
• AstraZeneca $AZN (+1.36%)
• Pfizer $PFE (-0.11%) (individual case studies)
• Top 20 pharmaceutical companies with Biosero projects (Lab Automation)
• Research centers worldwide
• Cooperation with Sartorius in the APAC region (e.g. Japan, South Korea)

Digression Conclusion

Bioprinting sounds like science fiction and yes, it is a long way from everyday transplantation. But in research and diagnostics it is real, applicable and in demand.

• BICO is not selling promises for the future, but tools that are used in leading laboratories today. The big leap is yet to come, but the foundations have been laid.

__________

History in brief From bioink to platform

• 2016: Founded as CELLINK, the first bioink worldwide

• 2020: Renamed BICO (for Bio Convergence)

• 2021-202315+ acquisitions (including SCIENION, Biosero, MatTek)

• 2024-2025: Streamlining of the structure (sales to Sartorius), withdrawal from non-strategic areas

• 2025: Focus on automation, diagnostics and bioprinting with a clear industry orientation

New CEO since 2024: Maria Forss

• PredecessorErik Gatenholm (co-founder & CEO for many years)

• Change: Gatenholm stepped down in fall 2023, Maria Forss officially became CEO in January 2024

Maria Forss brings decades of experience from leading life science companies:

At Vitrolife (2018 - 2023), she led global expansion and M&A projects, including the billion-euro deal with Igenomix. Prior to that (2014 - 2018), she was at Elekta (radiotherapy, oncology) where she was responsible for global marketing and product strategies.

She started her career at AstraZenecawhere she gained international experience in sales, regulatory affairs and market launch. There she learned what makes large pharmaceutical companies tick, particularly in terms of approval, market launch and regulatory navigation

She is an expert in:

• Business Development
• transformation & strategy
• international expansion

The retirement of founder Gatenholm points to a clear change in strategy, away from visionary, growth-driven development and towards cost control, profitability and integration.

In the Earnings Call Q1 2025 Forss emphasizes several times:

"We have implemented a new operational structure, are harmonizing global functions and are focusing on efficiency and selected growth areas."

📊 Q1 2025 in figures and what's really behind it (Caution currency: Swedish krona, 1 SEK ~ 0.10 USD)

• TurnoverSEK 389 million (-17 %)
• Organic growth: -19 %
• EBITDASEK -12 million
• Cash flow from operating activitiesSEK +77 million
• Net lossSEK -235 million
• Cash positionSEK 684 million
• Convertible bondSEK 1.1 bn outstanding (maturity: March 2026)

Supplement:

Q1 is seasonally weak as many customers (especially in research) do not make large investments at the beginning of the year. At the same time, Q4 was strong, which pulled sales forward.

Comparison of the three previous segments (Q1 2025)

With a view to organic growth:

👩‍🔬 Life Science Solutions:

• SalesSEK 191 million
• Organic growth: +4 % 👀
• ApplicationsDiagnostics, cell research, microdosing

🧬 Bioprinting:

• Sales105 million SEK
• Organic growth: +41 % 👀
• Applications: 3D cell printing, bioinks, in-vitro models

🔬Lab Automation:

• SalesSEK 94 million
• Organic growth: - 58 %
• ApplicationsAutomation of complete laboratory processes

What do the individual divisions do?

👩‍🔬 Life Science Solutions:

This is where BICO develops laboratory technologies for diagnostics and cell research, such as devices for high-precision dosing of tiny quantities of liquids, consumables and special analysis platforms.

Examples:

Cancer diagnostics:

• SCIENION devices help to precisely apply tumor markers to test chips, the basis for modern blood tests for early detection.

Allergy tests:

• Using microdosing technology, mini test fields are loaded with allergens to create personalized skin or blood tests.

Genetic testing & DNA analysis:

• Systems from BICO precisely dose minute amounts of liquid onto gene chips, which then analyze intolerances or genetic risk factors, for example.

Point-of-care diagnostics:

• Production of compact rapid test cartridges (e.g. for influenza, RSV, bacterial infections) for home use or the doctor's surgery.

🧬 Bioprinting (see excursus above)

• BICO sells 3D printers for living cells (e.g. from CELLINK) and bioinks, i.e. cell carrier gels for printing tissue.

• ApplicationResearch, drug testing, animal-free toxicology

🔬 Lab automation

This is about the complete automation of laboratories, e.g. robots that create cell cultures, carry out analyses or coordinate samples. Everything is controlled centrally via the Green Button Go® software from Biosero.

💰 How profitable is BICO currently?

BICO is not yet profitable in the traditional sense, as EBIT (operating result) was clearly negative at SEK -290 million in 2024.

However, the operating cash flow a completely different picture: this was 2024 positive at SEK +259 million, as well as in Q1 2025 at +77 MSEK.

This means that BICO is now earning money in its core business, meaning that liquidity is flowing into the company.

The EBIT is still burdened by high depreciation and amortization on earlier acquisitions, research expenditure and, in some cases, one-off restructuring costs.

Conclusion
up to here:

BICO is not yet "through", but the path to operational profitability is recognizable. The company is heading in the right direction, now it depends on whether it can stabilize its operating base and continue to scale its high-margin business areas.

🤝 Business divisions & restructuring (from Q2 2025)

BICO previously operated in 3 segments:

• Bioprinting (e.g. CELLINK)

• Life Science Solutions (e.g. SCIENION)

• Lab Automation (e.g. Biosero)

New from Q2 2025:

Only two divisions, as Bioprinting will be integrated into "Life Science Solutions". Why?

Because CELLINK & Co. are now closely interlinked with diagnostics and consumables. The new setup is intended to increase efficiency, leverage synergies and simplify reporting.

📊 Classification of the figures and why Lab Automation is not growing, even though it is strategically so important

Bioprinting & Life Science Solutions show positive organic growth, while Lab Automationthe third-largest division, shrank massively (-58%).

Automation in particular is one of the main growth drivers in the bioconvergence strategy.

Explanation according to earnings call:

Q1 2024 (PY) was an upward outlier:

• An exceptionally large order from Biosero was booked at that time (project business).
• This effect distorts the basis for comparison, which exaggerates the decline in 2025.

Fewer project starts and completions in Q1 2025:

• Projects in Lab Automation are not distributed linearly, but are completed in phases
• There were simply fewer completed milestones in Q1 = less sales.

Macro-related reluctance on the part of major customers (pharma):

• Investment decisions were delayed, not canceled.

According to CEO Maria Forss:

"The underlying demand for Lab Automation continues to be strong."

"Project cycles are longer - but demand from pharma remains intact."

Project business is naturally volatile:

• Lab Automation is not recurring, but order-based.
• This leads to strong quarterly fluctuations - even with a stable order backlog.

BICO's strategic response

Standardization of project packages:

• Shorter durations, modular solutions to cushion order fluctuations

Strengthening project management:

• To better control time delays and resource commitment

Focus on pharmaceutical customers:

• Cooperation with "Top 20 Pharma Companies" is being expanded, geographically flexible (USA, EU, Asia)

➡️ The decline in sales in Lab Automation looks dramatic, but is primarily due to timing and not a structural problem.

BICO is responding with strategic adjustments to its product portfolio and points to continued strong demand, only with longer lead times.

For investors, this means that the decline is unfavorable but explainable, not alarming

Further statements from the earnings call

CEO Maria Forss:

"Despite a decline in sales, Life Science Solutions and Bioprinting are showing positive development. Our strategy adjustment is taking effect."

• Bioprinting is booming: +41 % organic, CELLINK +130 % (on a low basis)

• SCIENION stabilizes Diagnostics: Miniaturization & home testing drive demand

• USA weakness in research: Reluctance to invest among academic customers due to uncertain NIH funding

• Tariffs & macro volatility: BICO has shifted production out of China, flexed supply chain

• Divestments: MatTek & Visikol sold, enables net cash position in Q2 2025

Why is bioprinting booming right now?

• New regulatory trends: FDA allows animal testing alternatives
• Increasing demand for in-vitro tissue models
• International expansion (e.g. India, Asia)
• Favorable product mix (bioinks, consumables)

Excursus in-vitro tissue models:

"In vitro" means: outside the living body, e.g. in a petri dish, on a chip or in a laboratory device.

Tissue models are replicated biological structures that resemble real human (or animal) tissue.

Example:

A skin tissue printed with cells that is used for cosmetic or drug tests, without animal testing.

What's the point?

• Safety & efficacy tests (e.g. for drugs, chemicals)
• Disease models (e.g. tumor tissue for cancer research)
• Personalized medicine (tissue from own cells)

In vitro tissue models are an ethically and scientifically attractive alternative to animal testing and BICO supplies the printing technology for this, among other things.

Is BICO a unique company in bioprinting?

No, but one of the pioneers with a broad portfolio.

There are competitors such as Allevi, Aspect Biosystems and Organovo, but BICO combines hardware, software and services under one roof - a strategic advantage.

Where does the market currently stand and what does the future look like?

• The market for bioconvergence is still young, provocatively speaking perhaps comparable to the cloud in 2010
• Applications such as automated laboratories, in-vitro models and AI-supported diagnostics are in their infancy
• Long-term demand is enormous for personalized medicine, increased efficiency and ethics (e.g. avoidance of animal testing)

Possible future scenarios

1 . BICO becomes a global playerBICO continues to grow, automates laboratories worldwide

2 . BICO becomes a takeover candidate: Groups such as Sartorius $SRT (+2.35%) , Danaher $DHR (-0.72%) or Thermo Fisher $TMO (-0.23%) could strike

3 . BICO remains niche leader: Focused on profitable segments with high innovation density

Risks & critical voices

• Unprofitable: No sustainable EBIT coverage yet
• Convertible bond (SEK 1.1bn, equivalent to USD 114m): Maturity 2026, repayment depends on cash flow & divestments
• Risk of dilution if convertible bond is serviced via shares
• Strong dependence on projects -> sales fluctuations
• Competitive pressure from large corporations

The topic of the convertible bond has made me sit up and take notice again; here are some more deep dives:

What's the deal with BICO's convertible bonds until 2026?

Convertible bonds are a kind of hybrid between a bond and a share. They work like this:

• Investors lend money to BICO (e.g. SEK 1,000)
• BICO pays interest in return

At the end of the term (March 2026), investors receive either:

• the money back
• or can convert the bond into shares - depending on the agreed price

The whole thing is attractive for companies because they:

• only have to pay interest at first, no return of capital
• and can often offer a lower interest rate because the conversion option is attractive

What this means in concrete terms:

• BICO originally had convertible bonds with a volume of over SEK 1.5 billion
• SEK 394 million have already been repurchased in 2024 & 2025
• Currently open (as of Q1 2025): SEK 1.106 billion (114.5 million USD)
• Maturity date: March 2026

Why is this an issue for investors

1 . Repayment or dilution:

If BICO cannot repay the amount, new shares must be issued, this is called dilution because your stake in the company decreases.

2 . Cash flow burden:

If BICO wants to repay the amount from its own resources, it needs a lot of liquidity, which can slow down other investments.

3 . Refinancing risk:

If the market is weak in 2025/26, refinancing could become expensive or not possible at all.

What is the current situation?

Positive:

• BICO currently has SEK 684m in cash (USD 71m)
• The sale of MatTek & Visikol will put BICO in a net cash position in Q2 2025

• Target: Early extinguishment of convertible bond 2026

Statement on financing / repayment

CFO Jacob Thornberg said:

"The closing of the divestment of MatTek and Visikol for USD 80 million is expected to take place during Q2 2025 [...]

The proceeds from the transaction will be used to resolve the outstanding convertible bond, which matures in March 2026."

Translated:

The entire proceeds from the sale of MatTek & Visikol to Sartorius (USD 80 million) are earmarked for the repayment of the convertible bond.

Management's assessment of the financial position:

"We expect to move into a net cash position during Q2 2025."

This means:

• After the transaction, BICO will have more cash and cash equivalents than debt
• These funds should enable repayment in 2026 without further dilution

Assessment: How credible is this?

Positive:

• BICO shows clear plan: repayment of convertible bond is top priority
• Cash position Q1: SEK 684m
• Sale of MatTek & Visikol: approx. SEK 870m (converted)

-> Repayment can be financed if no new setback occurs

But:

• The operating business is not yet making a stable contribution to financing
• New investments or declining sales could jeopardize the plan
• Market environment remains volatile (interest rates, project delays, etc.)

➡️ Management is actively pursuing the plan to redeem the convertible bond in full before maturity in 2026 without dilution.

The sale of MatTek & Visikol has freed up concrete capital for this.

The direction is right, but BICO remains a risky stock with operational debt.

More on profitability:

In the Q1 2025 Earnings Call BICO's management did not give a specific date for break-even or profitability

... which is typical for growth companies with highly volatile project business.

What was said instead?

On profitability in Q1 itself:

EBITDA was negative (SEK -12m), but:

"Adjusted EBITDA was in line with Q1 2024 due to the positive development in Life Science Solutions and Bioprinting."

-> Improvement due to mix effects and operational measures

• The positive margins from Q4 2024 could not be maintained, mainly due to Lab Automation weakness.

Long-term statements?

No specific annual figure or guidance on profitability. But:

"We have launched a new operating model [...] to achieve improved commercial as well as operational efficiencies."

"We will continue to optimize our cost base and drive efficiency through integration."

Interpretation:

• Management is actively working on profitability

The focus is on the short term:

• Cash flow
• Efficiency gains
• Segment focus

Butunfortunately no clear words like: "We plan to be profitable in 2025 or 2026." 😬

Will BICO be the company that prints organs, or is it more likely to be taken over?

Technologically, BICO is very well positioned today when it comes to bioprinting infrastructure:

• Hardware (BIO X printers)
• Bioinks (cell-compatible inks)
• Software & automation
• Worldwide customer base

ButPrinting fully functional organs for clinical applications is a gigantic leap, not only technologically, but also in regulatory, medical and logistical terms. This is what is needed:

• billions in long-term capital
• Clinical studies over many years
• integration into healthcare systems and transplant networks

These are competencies that are more common in corporations like Johnson & Johnson $JJ, Medtronic $MDT (+0.91%) , GE Healthcare $GEHC (-0.88%)
, Siemens Healthineers $SHL (+0.43%) or Thermo Fisher $TMO not a smaller platform provider like BICO.

Which is more likely?

1 . BICO remains the "toolmaker" of the bioprinting world:

Just like ASML for semiconductors or Illumina for genomics, but without building drugs/organs itself.

2 . BICO will be taken over when the topic becomes clinically concrete:

For example, when the first major organ projects enter the clinical phase, it is likely that a giant will strike to secure access to the technology.

3 . BICO remains an enabler, but not the final provider of clinical bioprinted organs

When organs are actually printed, will BICO become the global market leader?

🏷️ Unlikely.

➡️ More realistic is that BICO becomes one of the key technology suppliers or is taken over by one of the big players beforehand.

This can still be highly attractive for investors. After all, whoever supplies technology will be needed, regardless of who ends up operating on the patient.

Should we now focus on BICO or rather on a large corporation with bioprinting potential? 🤔

1 . Buy BICO for speculative returns

Pros:

• Favorable valuation after the "crash/hype" (more than 80 % below all-time high)
• One of the technology leaders in bioprinting
• Strategic focus, efficiency program, divestments, clear direction
• Enabler position in a highly scalable future market
• Possible takeover candidate = extra share price potential

Contra:

• Not yet profitable, operational risks exist
• Market for organs is still many years away
• Capital structure (convertible bond) is a medium-term uncertainty factor
• If large investors fail to materialize, BICO could be technologically overtaken

2 . Alternatively: back a large corporation for more stability

Which big players have the potential to drive bioprinting forward (or take over BICO)?

Sartorius

• Already has close cooperation with BICO (and acquired MatTek/Visikol)
• Focus on cell biology, diagnostics & laboratory automation
• Strong in APAC region and with biotech customers

-> Best-case candidate for takeover or joint venture

Thermo Fisher Scientific

• Global leader in laboratory equipment, genomics, diagnostics
• Great financial strength, active M&A strategy
• So far, however, more focused on classic diagnostics

-> Comes into play when bioprinting is more closely integrated into pharmaceutical production

Danaher

• Parent company of brands such as Cytiva and Beckman Coulter
• Very active in diagnostics and research technology
• M&A-driven, high margin focus

-> Could strike when the market matures, but rather late and strategically

3D Systems / Stratasys

• Directly active in 3D printing
• Have already acquired bioprinting units (e.g. Allevi)
• Fluctuating in strategy & implementation

-> Riskier than classic medtechs, but a direct bioprinting play

Personal classification: substance or science fiction on credit?

What makes more strategic sense? Which investment is "the right one"?

• High potential return and very high risk tolerance: Then BICO

• Takeover speculation: Then BICO or e.g. Sartorius

• Stable yield and dividend: Then Sartorius, Dabaher or Thermo Fisher

• Bet on "market leader of the future": Then wait and see, today there is no clear bioprinting world leader

OR

Combination strategy:

I invest a small position in BICO as a "moonshot", combine this with a solid underlying position in Sartorius or Thermo Fisher and cover the technology and protect the capital if BICO fails.

The two underlying positions mentioned can of course also represent a global ETF.

My personal assessment of BICO currently fluctuates between cautious optimism and realistic doubt.

On the one hand, I see a clear technological lead and a strategy that, unlike a year or two ago, now appears more well thought-out and focused. Partnerships with established players such as Sartorius also give me the feeling that BICO is not operating alone in a vacuum.

On the other hand, the operational foundation is still shaky. Profitability has not been achieved and the issue of the 2026 convertible bond hangs over the company.

Without sufficient cash flow or fresh capital, the ambitious vision could stumble, and despite all the enthusiasm for bioprinting and automation, we should always be aware of this.

BICO is not a stock for quiet nights, but for visionaries with patience it may be a ticket to the future of medicine.

I am currently waiting for an entry opportunity with a good feeling. The goal could be a portfolio share of up to approx. 3-4%, which then remains in place and is reduced in the future through portfolio growth without selling.

Thanks for reading! 🤝

______________

Sources:

[1] https://storage.mfn.se/5a3030c0-d13b-4177-80d0-94da59c7302d/bico-q1-2025-eng.pdf

[2] https://bico.events.inderes.com/q1-report-2025/register

/ https://web.quartr.com/link/companies/4484/events/247443/transcript?targetTime=0.0

More:

https://bico.com/investors/

https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/investor-relations

https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BICO:SS

...after everything here is full of Novo and I really hit the jackpot at the ATH (buy price around 115€...), I have a new entry in the pharma / medical sector :)

My investment strategy is generally "long" and the savings plans have also been adjusted:

• $VWRL (-1.01%) 300€ p.M.
• $BTC (-0.22%) 100€ p.m.
• $1810 (-0.33%) 150€ p.m.
• $489 (-1%) 50€ p.m.
• $DFEN (-0.3%) 150€ p.m.
• $1211 (-1.86%) 150€ p.m.
• $175 (-1.77%) 50€ p.m.
• $RTX (+0.87%) 50€ p.m.
• $RKLB (-0.74%) 50€ p.m.
• $ASML (-0.57%) 100€ p.m.
• $SHL (+0.43%) 480€ p.m.
• Gold 50€ p.m.

So total investment per month is 1680€ / savings rate per month.

Apart from that, I still hold around 5k in cash at the moment (watchlist is filled with Google and various other stocks).

I would be happy to receive feedback and wish you a nice weekend :)

LG

The Fed's interest rate decision + AMD's quarterly figures + Siemens Healthineers grows strongly + Fresenius also surprises at the start of the year + BMW expects tariff cuts + Quarterly figures from the USA in brief

The Fed's interest rate decision

• Investors are now looking ahead to the next highlight of political significance today, Wednesday: the Fed's interest rate decision.
• Observers are eager to see how the Fed will react to US President Donald Trump's demands to cut interest rates.
• It is expected to resist the political pressure and not adjust its key interest rates.
• In view of Trump's erratic tariff policy, the environment for monetary policy is very uncertain.

Quarterly figures from AMD $AMD (-0.43%)

• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) reported non-GAAP earnings of $0.96 per diluted share for the first quarter on Tuesday, up from $0.62 a year earlier.
• Analysts polled by FactSet had expected $0.94.
• Revenue for the quarter ended March 29 was $7.44 billion, up from $5.47 billion a year earlier.
• Analysts had expected 7.12 billion US dollars.
• For the second quarter, the chip manufacturer expects sales of between 7.1 and 7.7 billion US dollars.
• Analysts are forecasting 7.22 billion US dollars.
• Advanced Micro shares rose by almost 5% after the close of trading.

Siemens Healthineers $SHL (+0.43%)grows strongly

• The medical technology group Siemens Healthineers grew more strongly than expected in the second quarter (to the end of March).
• Sales rose by 8.7 percent to 5.9 billion euros, as the company announced in Erlangen on Wednesday.
• On a comparable basis, revenue rose by 6.8 percent.
• This excludes currency and portfolio effects.
• The company benefited from good business in imaging and the US cancer specialist Varian.
• Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved by almost a fifth to 982 million euros.
• Savings from the restructuring of the diagnostics business also had a positive impact here.
• For fiscal year 2024/25, however, Siemens Healthineers was more cautious about earnings development due to the US tariffs.
• The company now expects adjusted earnings per share of between €2.20 and €2.50.
• Previously, the Group had forecast the lower end at 2.35 euros per share.
• Healthineers continues to expect comparable sales growth of five to six percent.

Fresenius $FRE (-1.1%)also surprises at the start of the year

• The hospital and pharmaceuticals group Fresenius continued to grow at the start of the year and earned a surprisingly high amount.
• "We have started the year 2025 with an excellent business development and confirm the outlook for the full year," said Group CEO Michael Sen in Bad Homburg on Wednesday.
• Adjusted for one-off effects, turnover climbed by seven percent to 5.63 billion euros in the first quarter compared to the previous year, according to the DAX-listed company.
• Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (adjusted EBIT) increased by four percent to 654 million euros.
• Although the corresponding margin fell from 11.9 to 11.6 percent, Fresenius performed better than analysts had expected on average.
• The ongoing savings program and the core business with the flourishing generics provider Kabi once again provided a tailwind.
• In contrast, the hospital division Helios recorded a decline in earnings despite sales growth due to the loss of state energy subsidies in Germany.
• Group-wide, the result from continuing operations - i.e. excluding Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) - rose by 12 percent to 416 million euros.

BMW $BMW (-0.95%)expects tariff reductions

• The car manufacturer BMW is expecting tariff reductions in the summer and is therefore maintaining its outlook for the year.
• The tariff increases are likely to be only temporary in some cases and there should be reductions in tariffs from July 2025, the DAX-listed company announced in Munich on Wednesday.
• The current forecast takes into account tariff increases that have already come into force by March 12 as well as countermeasures taken by the company.
• "Due to the volatile development and the ongoing negotiations, the expected effects of customs duties can still only be depicted using assumptions," the Group said.
• BMW performed better than feared in the first quarter.
• Earnings before interest and taxes slipped by 22.5 percent to 3.14 billion euros due to the weakness in China, while sales fell by 7.8 percent.
• In the Automotive division, the operating margin (EBIT) fell by 1.9 percentage points to 6.9 percent.
• However, this was better than analysts' average estimates.
• At the bottom line, the surplus fell by a good quarter to 2.17 billion euros.

Quarterly figures from the USA in a nutshell

• Super Micro Computer Inc. $SMCI (-0.19%)exceeded analysts' estimates of USD 0.30 with earnings per share of USD 0.31 in the third quarter.
• Sales of USD 4.6 billion below expectations of USD 5.05 billion.

• Electronic Arts Inc. $EA (-0.52%)misses analysts' estimates of USD 1.08 with earnings per share of USD 0.98 in the fourth quarter.
• Sales of USD 1.9 billion above expectations of USD 1.55 billion.

• Corsair Gaming Inc. registered shares DL -.0001 $CRSR (-0.5%)misses analysts' estimates of USD 0.11 with earnings per share of USD 0.09 in the first quarter. Revenue of USD 396.8 million above expectations of USD 366.2 million.

Wednesday: Stock market dates, economic data, quarterly figures

• ex-dividend of individual stocks
• Deutsche Lufthansa EUR 0.30
• EssilorLuxottica EUR 3.95

• Quarterly figures / company dates USA / Asia
• 12:30 Walt Disney quarterly figures
• 13:00 Uber Technologies quarterly figures
• 15:00 Philip Morris | Pepsico AGM
• 22:05 Qiagen | Adtran | Avis Budget quarterly figures
• Untimed: Sandisk quarterly figures

• Quarterly figures / Company dates Europe
• 07:00 Fresenius | Siemens Healthineers | Vonovia | Klöckner & Co | Aker ASA
• 07:30 Telecom Italia | Auto1 | BMW | Hensoldt | Novo Nordisk quarterly figures
• 07:30 Siemens Healthineers | Vonovia PK
• 07:45 Jungheinrich | Ahold Delhaize quarterly figures
• 08:00 Schaeffler | Flutter Entertainment Quarterly figures
• 08:30 Fresenius | BMW PK | Siemens Healthineers Analyst Conference
• 09:00 Endesa quarterly figures
• 10:00 Fuchs | Mercedes-Benz Group | Wacker Chemie | Grenke AGM
• 10:00 Klöckner & Co PK | Schaeffler Analyst Conference
• 10:15 BMW Analyst Conference
• 13:00 Novo Nordisk Analyst Conference
• 14:00 Auto1 Earnings Call
• 22:05 ARM Holding Quarterly Results

• Economic data

08:00 DE: New orders March seasonally adjusted FORECAST: +1.0% yoy previous: 0.0% yoy | Manufacturing turnover March

11:00 EU: Retail Sales March Eurozone PROGNOSE: +0.1% yoy previous: +0.3% yoy

20:00 US: Fed, outcome of FOMC meeting Fed funds target rate FORECAST: 4.25% to 4.50% previously: 4.25% to 4.50%

No time given: PO: ECB annual meeting

Had the share since the IPO 🤝🏽

As announced, Siemens AG has sold shares in its subsidiary Siemens Healthineers. $SHL (+0.43%) as announced. Around 22 million ordinary shares, corresponding to around 2 percent of the share capital, are now going to institutional investors. Prior to the sale, Siemens held around 75 percent of the medical technology company.

The reaction on the market was not long in coming: Siemens Healthineers' share price fell by 1.2 percent in after-hours trading. 🤔 What do you think about such sales? Will it drag the share price down in the long term or is it just a short-term effect?

This could be an exciting discussion for investors. Should you buy now or wait and see? The dividend policy and the future plans of Siemens Healthineers could also be interesting factors here. What do you think of the current situation? 📉

The euro has been weakening since September 2024 and is approaching parity with the dollar - the currency ratio would then be one to one. The dollar is currently still worth around 1.04 euros, up seven cents in the fall.

German companies with strong business in the dollar area can benefit from this development in several ways.

"The strength of the dollar is good news for exporting German companies," comment the analysts at Baader Bank. This is because their products are comparatively cheaper in the USA.

A weak euro makes exports cheaper, making European products and services cheaper and more competitive in the dollar area and thus in large parts of America and Asia. Import duties in the USA would make products more expensive again - but in the end, the two effects could almost balance each other out.

For example, the medical technology group Siemens Healthineers $SHL (+0.43%) is hardly worried about the threat of import duties in the USA. The company shares the fear of a global trade war. However, the company expects that the headwind from tariffs and the tailwind from the stronger dollar will largely balance each other out, says CFO Jochen Schmitz.

The tailwind from the strong dollar could remain with companies for a long time to come. "The euro will become a really weak currency. It should quickly fall below parity with the dollar and be at 0.95 euros per dollar quite quickly," expects the well-known fund manager Jens Ehrhardt, founder and CEO of DJE Kapital.

The European Central Bank (ECB) expects the strength of the dollar to ease the burden on exporting companies in the event of possible import tariffs in the USA. ECB Governing Council member Pierre Wunsch says: "The euro would have to be brought to parity in order to essentially compensate for a tariff of ten percent."

The many companies that produce locally in the USA and sell their goods there also benefit from a strong dollar. This is because the effect on the balance sheet is even stronger as soon as companies convert their earnings generated in the dollar zone into their home currency. For every dollar earned, there are currently seven euro cents more than in the fall.

Companies are already feeling the effects. For example, Infineon $IFX (+0.92%) raised its forecast for the current financial year a few days ago. Previously, the Munich-based semiconductor manufacturer had assumed a slight decline in turnover. The DAX-listed company now expects stable to slightly increasing revenue in 2024.

One reason is the strength of the dollar. Infineon is now assuming a euro-dollar exchange rate of 1.05 euros this year - after previously assuming 1.10 euros. "This adjustment and the better exchange rate in the first quarter increase our revenue expectations by around 450 million euros," calculates Group CEO Jochen Hanebeck.

The estimates show: The biggest currency beneficiaries of a weaker euro are highly globalized companies with strong business in the dollar area. In addition to Infineon, these include $BAYN (-0.4%) Bayer with its strong US business and the DAX heavyweight Airbus $AIR (+0.02%). The European joint venture mainly builds aircraft in Germany and France, but they are sold worldwide at dollar prices.

Rheinmetall $RHM (-1.13%) also benefits: Armaments are usually invoiced in dollars, but the Düsseldorf-based group reports them in euros, which results in higher revenues from the conversion alone.

There are also profiteers in the financial sector. Deutsche Bank $DBK (-0.94%) CFO James von Moltke hinted at the outlook for 2025: There is potential for higher Group revenues than the 32 billion euros targeted so far, he said. So far, the bank has been planning with an exchange rate of 1.10 dollars per euro - i.e. a euro that is more than five cents stronger than it is currently worth. However, as Deutsche Bank has more income in dollars than costs in dollars and does not hedge this currency risk, it benefits from a weak euro, according to Moltke.

The weak euro also helps the automotive industry. Many luxury vehicles are produced in Germany, but sold worldwide, especially in the USA. Porsche $P911 (-0.02%) sells every fourth car there - but does not produce a single one.

"This will have a positive impact of several hundred million euros on Porsche's balance sheet," says a Frankfurt stock trader with a view to this year's results. However, US tariffs on imports of European cars could offset this positive effect.

Source & graphic: Handelsblatt

This morning on 13.01. Siemens AG has published $SIE (-0.57%) published its figures for Q1 - 2025. Enclosed you will find my comprehensive classification of the annual report [1] and also the transcript of the earnings call [2].

• As always, I try to write as clearly as possible. I have made every effort to check all data carefully and to support all statements with sources.
• Current share in my portfolio after getquin Deepdive at just under 2.5%, also as an individual share.

📅 First of all, the context: Why is Q1 2025 already being reported?

Siemens has a different financial year that begins on October 1. This means that Q1 covers the period from October 1 to December 31, 2024 in fiscal year 2025.

Q1 - 2025 vs. estimates

[3]

Overview: Good figures with some challenges

Siemens was able to slightly increase its revenue in the first quarter of 2025, with profit even growing by over 50%. One important reason for this is a special gain from the sale of Innomotics, a former Siemens subsidiary for drive technology [1].

The most important figures at a glance:

• Turnover+3% to €18.4 billion
• Incoming orders: -7 % to € 20.1 billion
• Profit after tax: +52% to € 3.9 billion (incl. special effect - excluded from EBIT above*1)
• Free cash flow: +51% to € 1.6 billion

👉 Without the special effect from the Innomotics sale (€ 2.1 billion profit), the profit would have been significantly lower [1].

Profit from continuing operations in Q1 2025 amounted to € 1.801 billion and in Q1 2024 the figure was € 2.569 billion. This corresponds to a decrease of 30 % [1].

Classification of the decline in profit compared to the previous year:

1️⃣ Q1 2024 had a one-time positive effect of €500 million from the transfer of Siemens Energy shares to the Siemens Pension Trust. This effect will no longer apply in 2025.

2️⃣ Digital Industries recorded a significant decline in profits, primarily due to the fall in sales in the automation business (-24%).

3️⃣ Additional restructuring costs had a negative impact on earnings.

👉 Without the positive one-off effect from 2024, the decline would not have been quite as severe, but the difficult situation at Digital Industries still had a clear impact [1].

Another highlight: The order backlog reached a new record of €118 billion, even though incoming orders fell in Q1 [2]. - 118 billion € - insane! 🤯

How does the decline compare to the record?

Siemens has many large long-term orders that are not processed immediately. Even if fewer new orders are received in a quarter, the total number of open orders remains high [1].

Why has order intake fallen?

The decline is partly due to the fact that particularly large Mobility orders were concluded in the previous year. At the same time, macroeconomic uncertainties and a weaker willingness to invest in Europe and China are influencing order intake [2].

🏷️ What is behind the sale of Innomotics?

Innomotics was a Siemens subsidiary for large electric motors, drives and industrial drive systems, important for sectors such as energy, chemicals and infrastructure. Siemens sold the business because it no longer fitted in with its core business.

• The sale generated €3.1 billion in liquidity, which strengthened Siemens' financial position.
• The resulting special gain of €2.1 billion after tax significantly raises the profit for this quarter.

The Siemens Groups at a glance

Share of total sales:

• Digital Industries: 22,1%
• Smart Infrastructure: 28,8%
• Mobility: 16,2%
• Siemens Healthineers: 29,9%
• Siemens Financial Services: 0,5%

Reconciliation & Other: 2,5%

-> includes consolidation adjustments and intercompany effects

📊 Digital Industries (Automation & Software)

What does this area do?

Siemens is a global leader in industrial automation and software for factories. This involves robot control systems, production software and automation solutions for the automotive, pharmaceutical and electronics industries, for example.

Incoming orders+6 % to € 4.2 billion

Turnover: -11% to € 4.1 billion

Earnings: -34% to € 588 million

Why are things going badly?

Although automation is seen as the industry of the future, there is currently a decline in sales due to low capacity utilization and destocking by customers.

Factory automation is particularly affected with a decline of -24% (e.g. for mechanical engineering or semiconductors).

Customers have invested massively in recent years and are now reducing inventories, which partly explains the lack of sales, but at the same time customers are placing new orders for the period after the existing inventories have been reduced [2]

The software business (+15%) is also generating new orders and is growing strongly, even though representative sales in the automation sector are declining [2].

However, China is showing initial signs of recovery, which could help in the medium term.

🏡 Smart Infrastructure (energy & building technology)

What does this area do?

It's all about energy supply, building automation and infrastructure. Siemens helps companies to work more efficiently and sustainably, from smart buildings to energy grid feed-in.

Known products/services:

• Charging stations for electric cars
• Building management systems for smart office buildings
• Switchgear for power grids

Incoming orders+6 % to € 6.2 billion

Turnover: +10 % to € 5.3 billion

EarningsStable at € 891 million

👉 Demand for data center infrastructure and energy solutions was particularly strong -> USA (+17%) and Middle East particularly strong [2].

🚆 Mobility (railroad & transport infrastructure)

What does this sector do?

Siemens builds and maintains trains, rail infrastructure and signaling technology. This is about fast, efficient and sustainable mobility systems.

Well-known products/services:

• ICE trains for Deutsche Bahn
• Metro systems for major cities
• Digital interlockings for railroad lines

Incoming orders: -53 % to € 2.7 billion

Turnover+10 % to € 3.0 billion

EarningsStable at € 249 million

Why have incoming orders fallen so sharply?

👉 The same quarter of the previous year contained huge major orders, e.g. for the railroads in Germany & Austria.

👉 There will still be orders in 2025, but not on this scale - a purely statistical effect.

🏥 Siemens Healthineers $SHL (+0.43%)
(medical technology)*2

What does this division do?

Siemens is a leader in medical and diagnostic technology. The company supplies imaging systems, laboratory diagnostics and digital health solutions.

Known products/services:

• MRI & CT devices for hospitals
• Laboratory diagnostics for blood tests & cancer research
• AI-supported diagnostic software

Incoming orders+13 % to € 6.3 billion

Turnover: +6 % to € 5.5 billion

Earnings: +14 % to € 789 million

👉 The Imaging business (MRI & CT) is doing particularly well.

💰 Siemens Financial Services (Finance Division)

What does this division do?

Siemens offers leasing and financing services, e.g. for companies that want to modernize their infrastructure.

Known products/services:

• Leasing for medical technology
• Project financing for renewable energies
• Industrial investments

ResultDecrease from € 260 million to € 113 million

Why this decline?

👉 In the same quarter of the previous year, Siemens sold an investment that generated a one-off profit of €131 million.

Without this one-off effect, earnings would have remained stable.

Conclusion:

• Siemens Healthineers is the largest division, accounting for just under 30% of total sales.

• Smart Infrastructure (Energy & Building Automation) follows with 28.8%, driven by high demand in the USA.

• Digital Industries (Automation & Software) contributes 22.1%, but is struggling with weak demand in factory automation.

• Mobility (Trains & Infrastructure) accounts for 16.2%, but is suffering from the sharp decline in order intake.

• Siemens Financial Services remains a small but profitable division (0.5% share of sales)

🍃 Indirect connection to Siemens Energy $ENR (+0.11%)

Siemens still holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, but has transferred parts of it to Siemens Pension-Trust e.V. This resulted in a one-off profit of €500 million in Q1 2024, which increased Siemens' earnings at the time [4].

👉 This year, there is no such effect. Siemens Energy also remains challenging: the wind power business (Gamesa) is struggling with production problems and anti-dumping duties [5].

Anti-dumping duty in the USA:

The USA recently (28/01/25) imposed an anti-dumping duty of 28.55% on wind tower components from Siemens Gamesa and Windar Renovables. This affects components manufactured in Spain and could affect Siemens Gamesa's competitiveness in the important US market [5].

🤝 Altair takeover: Siemens strengthens its software business

With the acquisition of Altair Engineering for around 10 billion US dollars, Siemens has taken a significant step towards strengthening its software & AI portfolio.

• Altair represents a significant expansion in the area of simulation technologies and machine learning and is expected to support Siemens in further expanding its position as a leading provider of industrial software.
• This acquisition is part of Siemens' strategy to drive digital transformation and create the most comprehensive AI-powered design and simulation portfolio in the world [6].

Prospects
Altair acquisition

• The acquisition is expected to increase Siemens' digital business revenue by €600 million and have a long-term positive impact of over one billion dollars annually [6].
• This strategic investment is expected to accelerate the digital and sustainable transformation of Siemens' customers by connecting the real and digital worlds.
• The acquisition process is still under regulatory review and could be completed by the end of 2025.

📌 AI & Industry 4.0: Siemens remains a pioneer [2]

Siemens is actively driving the introduction of industrial AI:

• Use of digital twins & AI to increase efficiency (e.g. Red Bull Racing, smart factories in Erlangen & Chengdu).
• Acquisition of Altair to strengthen the software business.
• Major projects such as Jet Zero (AI-supported aircraft design to reduce fuel consumption).

[7]

📌 Sustainability & decarbonization [2]

Siemens actively helps customers to reduce their CO₂ emissions:

• Products from 2024 save over 144 million tons of CO₂ over their lifetime.
• Own CO₂ emissions already reduced by 60% since 2019, target for 2025 achieved ahead of schedule.

🔮Outlook for 2025 [2]:

• Macroeconomic uncertainties remain, but Siemens confirms 3-7% sales growth.
• The order backlog provides stability, but growth also depends on industrial automation.
• AI & software as growth drivers, especially with Altair.
• Siemens focuses on decarbonization to open up new business areas.

🧠Fazit: light and shade in the first quarter

Siemens got off to a strong start in the first quarter of 2025, driven by solid revenue growth and an impressive rise in profits thanks to the Innomotics sale.

Despite a decline in order intake, especially in areas such as Mobility, the order backlog remains robust.

The strategic acquisition of Altair and the focus on AI and industrial digitalization position Siemens very well for the future.

The company is also showing a clear focus on sustainability and decarbonization.

With a stable foundation and a positive outlook for 2025, Siemens remains on a promising growth path, even if macroeconomic uncertainties persist.

I am holding my position for the long term and am excited to see where the journey takes us.

Thank you for reading 🤝

• Which areas do you find most exciting?

_________

*1

(The discrepancy of approx. 260 million between EBIT + sale of Innomotics and profit after tax is primarily due to interest and tax expenses)

*2

Siemens Healthineers is a majority holding of Siemens AG. This means that Siemens still has control over Healthineers, but the company is listed independently on the stock exchange.

📌 Important facts about the relationship between Siemens and Siemens Healthineers:

• Spun off in 2017 & listed on the stock exchange in 2018, but Siemens still holds a majority stake of around 75%.
• Independent company with a focus on medical technology (MRI, CT, laboratory diagnostics, AI-supported healthcare solutions).
• Siemens Healthineers has its own financial reports & strategy, but most of the profits flow back to Siemens.

👉 In short: Siemens Healthineers operates independently, but Siemens continues to call the shots as the main shareholder and benefits financially from the company's success

_________

Sources:

[1] https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:5977f44e-8153-4cf9-b47c-a7cc3846781b/2025-q1-earnings-release-de.pdf

[2] https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/cc7ttbkc/

[3] https://web.quartr.com/companies/3485

[4] https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-transfers-8-percent-stake-siemens-energy-ag-siemens-pension-fund

https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/earnings-release-and-financial-results-q1-fy-2024

[5] https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2025-02-10/ee-uu-fija-un-arancel-antidumping-del-2855-para-las-torres-eolicas-de-siemens-gamesa-y-windar.html

[6] https://m.focus.de/finanzen/boerse/uebernahme-als-meilenstein-siemens-verspricht-sich-von-altair-uebernahme-hunderten-millionen-euro_id_260442962.html

[7] https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:e5bbbc23-01c9-4214-a050-0c671b3e9d6b/2025-q1-presentation-en.pdf