Bechtle AG Raises Full-Year Outlook After Strong Q3

Bechtle AG’s shares gained ground on November 5th following the release of preliminary Q3 results and a subsequent upward revision of the company’s full-year guidance. The IT systems house now anticipates earnings before tax (EBT) growth exceeding 10% for the full year, a significant increase from the prior forecast of 5-10%. This positive momentum is underpinned by a roughly 19% increase in business volume during Q3, reaching approximately €2.44 billion.

The improved outlook reflects a continued strong performance despite a higher comparison base from the previous year. Pre-tax profits for the quarter rose by around 14% to approximately €92 million. While revenue figures for Q3 were not immediately disclosed, the significant growth in business volume—which includes the full sales price of software—suggests continued robust demand for Bechtle’s services. The company noted that this positive trend has continued into the fourth quarter, bolstered by a record order backlog.

Analysts suggest Bechtle is gaining market share, potentially at the expense of competitors like Cancom, which recently issued a lowered revenue outlook. This dynamic is occurring within a European IT sector facing mixed headwinds, as highlighted by recent market signals noting slower growth in the sector overall. Bechtle's ability to outperform, however, indicates a strengthening position within the competitive landscape.

The company maintains its revenue growth forecast of 5-10% for the year and expects EBT as a percentage of business volume to be slightly below the previous year’s figure of 3.8%. The sustained increase in business volume, coupled with the improved profit outlook, demonstrates Bechtle’s strong operational performance and positions it favorably within the current market environment. The record order backlog suggests this positive trend is likely to continue, at least in the near term.