August 12, 2024

GFT Group grows in first half of 2024 despite challenging markets

Dynamic growth in core sector banking, AI offers attractive opportunities

  • Group Revenue grew by 11 percent to EUR 429.63 million in first half of 2024
  • Group adjusted EBIT increased by 15 percent to EUR 35.73 million
  • High interest for AI solutions
  • Sophos integration running smoothly, already creating business synergies
  • 2024 Group outlook amended: Revenue and adjusted EBIT expected to grow by around 12 percent

New York, New York and Stuttgart, Germany (August 13, 2024) – GFT Technologies SE (GFT) continued its solid growth in the first half of 2024 in a market environment that remains challenging. Group revenue increased by 11 percent and adjusted EBIT by 15 percent year-on-year. This was driven by the banking and industry sectors, which recorded double-digit sales growth rates, as well as by recent acquisitions. Furthermore, dynamic growth in Brazil, GFT’s largest market, compensated for the weak development in the Anglo-Saxon markets in the first six months. In light of the prevailing market uncertainties, the company has made a slight amendment to its outlook.

 

The successful AI and Data solutions from the GFT AI.DA Marketplace have already attracted great interest in the market. Leading analysts have recognized these achievements, with ISG naming GFT a leader in AI and machine learning in the Google Cloud for the third year in a row. Each year, GFT has improved its position in the analyst house’s report, clearly outpacing much larger, established providers. GFT’s software products and solutions are also contributing to GFT’s solid growth course with a significant increase of recurring revenues.

 

"We have continued our growth journey despite the ongoing challenges in the market. Our core business is healthy, and our products and solutions continue to grow in the areas of Next Generation Core Banking, Technology Modernization, and AI and Data," said GFT Co-CEO Marco Santos. “We are also well positioned for the future of Artificial Intelligence. With the portfolio of solutions in our AI.DA Marketplace and especially the new product GFT AI Impact, we help our clients to substantially increase their productivity in the software development life-cycle. We are driving our clients on their successful AI journeys – across industries.”

 

The GFT Group generated revenue of EUR 429.63 million in the first half of 2024. The company thus exceeded the prior-year figure of EUR 385.42 million by 11 percent. GFT achieved growth of 16 percent in the Banking sector and 12 percent in the Industry & Others sector. Revenue in the insurance business fell by 7 percent. This was because GFT focussed more strongly on expanding its core business with banks in view of the difficult economic conditions in numerous countries.

 

"The first nearshore projects involving our new Sophos colleagues are underway, and we are already seeing remarkable new business and cross-selling for our clients. Full integration is on track for completion in the first quarter of 2025, solidifying our strategic vision," states Jochen Ruetz, CFO of GFT.

 

AI megatrend presents promising opportunities for growth

Since GFT launched the  AI.DA Marketplace in September 2023, demand for the company’s AI solutions has increased noticeably in all core sectors. One example is Wynxx: This GFT product utilizes generative AI to accelerate the software development lifecycle. In projects with tier 1 banks AI Impact was shown to boost efficiency by as much as 90 percent in some areas of the software development lifecycle. GFT is currently deploying AI Impact in several tier-1 banks, insurance companies and industrial companies in the Americas and Europe.  

We have continued our growth journey despite the ongoing challenges in the market. Our core business is healthy. We are also well positioned for the future of Artificial Intelligence. With our AI and data solutions we are driving our clients on their successful AI journeys.

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Marco Santos
Co-CEO, GFT

Key figures (IFRS)

(Deviations possible due to rounding differences)
In million euros H1 2024 H1 2023
Revenue 429.63 385.42* 11%
EBITDA 44.43 40.55 10%
Adjusted EBIT** 35.73 31.17 15%
EBIT 32.17 29.94 7%
EBT 30.05 30.04 0%
Net income 21.23 20.97 1%
Earnings per share in EUR 0.81 0.80 1%
Operating cash flow -5.34 -9.96 +46%
In million euros 30.06.2024 31.12.2023
Employees (FTE) 10,772 9,134 18%
Order backlog 407.37 378.73* 7%
Net liquidity -108.31 4.39 >-100%
Equity ratio (in percent) 38% 43% -5 PP

 

* Adjusted due to the reclassification of sales-related taxes of EUR -6.16 million from other operating expenses and EUR -7.34 million for order backlog. ** Adjusted for effects from M&A activities and share price-based effects in connection with the valuation of variable management remuneration. Further information on the definition of alternative performance measures is provided here on the GFT website.

Katherine Lee

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YOUR CONTACT
Head of Marketing GFT USA
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