$KIT (+1,36%)

Kitron is a leading Scandinavian electronics manufacturing company within connectivity, electrification, industrial, medical and defense/aerospace. The Group is represented in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, India, Malaysia, China and the USA. Kitron employs around 2,400 people and generated sales of EUR 647 million in 2024.

www.kitron.com

$KIT (+1,36%)

Kitron today announced first quarter results characterized by continued momentum in the defense and aerospace market sector and a growing order backlog.

Kitron's sales in the first quarter amounted to 164.6 million euros. In the fourth quarter of the previous year, this figure was 160.6 million euros, and in the first quarter of the previous year it was 173.9 million euros. The strongest market sector was defense/aerospace with strong growth both sequentially and year-on-year.

The order backlog amounted to EUR 524.6 million at the end of the financial year, compared to EUR 445.0 million in the previous year. This represents a significant increase compared to the previous quarter and is the fourth consecutive quarter with a rising order backlog.

The operating result (EBIT) amounted to EUR 12.5 million, compared to EUR 11.8 million in the fourth quarter of the previous year and EUR 10.6 million in the first quarter of the previous year. Profitability, expressed as an EBIT margin, amounted to 7.6%, compared to 7.3% in the fourth quarter of the previous year and 6.1% in the first quarter of the previous year.

Peter Nilsson, CEO of Kitron, comments:

"We have had a strong start to 2025, driven by significant growth in defense and aerospace, which contributed to an 11 percent increase in our order backlog compared to the previous quarter. Key strategic orders totaling EUR 76 million from customers such as Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Thales strengthen our industry partnerships. Five of our strategically positioned sites have extensive experience in the defense and aerospace sector, enabling rapid scaling as demand increases. A further EU site is currently being accredited. Despite global customs uncertainties and cautious short-term market dynamics, we are confident of further growth with our flexible operational strategy."

Profit after tax amounted to EUR 7.6 million, compared to EUR 6.5 million in the same quarter of the previous year. This corresponds to earnings per share of EUR 0.04 after EUR 0.03 in the previous year.

Outlook

Kitron expects sales of between EUR 640 million and EUR 710 million in 2025. The operating result (EBIT) is expected to be between 47 and 65 million euros. This remains unchanged from the raised outlook published on April 2.

$KIT (+1,36%)

Driven by billion-euro investment plans for defense and security, shares such as Rheinmetall, Hensoldt and Leonardo have only known one direction for weeks: steeply upwards. But in the slipstream of the clear winners, there are other companies that are benefiting from rising defense spending.

Kitron is an intimate connoisseur of the electronics services sector. The roots of the company, which is headquartered in Billingstad, Norway, go back to the early 1960s. The electronics service provider operates not only in the areas of armaments and defense, but also in the connectivity, industry, electrification and medical devices segments. However, the defense sector offers the greatest growth opportunities for Kitron. The company's customers here include industry giants such as Thales and Kongsberg (see slide).

Recently, Kitron has already been able to score points with market participants in this area with increasing order momentum. In view of the immense budgets to be made available by Europe and the associated nations for armaments and defense, this trend should continue in the current year and beyond.

CONCLUSION

The story surrounding Kitron is picking up speed. However, the stock has not yet performed as well as the shares of Rheinmetall, Hensoldt & Co. Setbacks remain buying opportunities for courageous investors who want to participate in rising security and defense spending in a slightly different way.

Kitron secures €30 million contract to manufacture advanced optics for the UAV and drone market

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kitron-secures-eur-30-million-095200176.html

Kitron is likely to be a winner in the armor -

Norne Securities raises target price for Kitron to NOK 55 (43) and reiterates Buy - BN 07.03

Kitron wins contract to supply electronics for Kongsberg Group unit's Joint Strike Missile

https://de.marketscreener.com/kurs/aktie/KONGSBERG-GRUPPEN-ASA-1413189/news/Kitron-erhalt-Auftrag-zur-Lieferung-von-Elektronik-fur-den-Joint-Strike-Missile-der-Kongsberg-Grup-49095458/

Kitron produces the electronics for the Kongsberg Group's naval strike missile

Kitron receives order worth NOK 46 million from Thales

https://de.marketscreener.com/kurs/aktie/THALES-4715/news/Kitron-erhalt-Auftrag-uber-46-Millionen-NOK-von-Thales-48740006/

https://www.deraktionaer.de/artikel/mobilitaet-oel-energie/aktionaer-hot-stock-kitron-im-windschatten-von-rheinmetall-und-co-aktie-gibt-gas-20376068.html