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SGS SA (CH:SGSN)
:SGSN
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SGS SA (SGSN) AI Stock Analysis

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CH

SGS SA

(SGSN)

Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
CHF93.00
▲(12.37%Upside)
SGS SA's strong financial performance, highlighted by record cash generation and successful strategic initiatives, is the most significant factor driving the score. While the high debt levels pose a risk, the company's solid profitability and positive earnings outlook support its valuation. Technical analysis suggests neutral momentum, balancing the overall stock score.

SGS SA (SGSN) vs. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL)

SGS SA Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSGS SA (SGSN) is a leading global inspection, verification, testing, and certification company. Operating across various sectors, SGS provides services that help organizations improve quality, safety, and productivity while reducing risk. The company offers a wide array of services such as laboratory testing, inspection, and certification to industries including agriculture, mining, oil and gas, and consumer goods, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing operational performance.
How the Company Makes MoneySGS SA generates revenue through a diverse portfolio of services including inspection, testing, and certification. The company's primary revenue streams come from fees charged for these services, which are essential for clients in various industries to ensure compliance with standards and regulations. SGS operates through a network of offices and laboratories worldwide, enabling it to serve clients globally. Additionally, partnerships with industries in sectors such as consumer goods, oil and gas, and agriculture contribute significantly to its earnings by providing tailored solutions that help clients meet industry-specific challenges and regulatory requirements. SGS's reputation for quality and reliability allows it to maintain long-term relationships with a broad range of clients, which is crucial for sustaining its revenue model.

SGS SA Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 11, 2025
(Q4-2024)
|
% Change Since: -5.85%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 25, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
SGS delivered strong financial performance in 2024 with record cash generation, significant organic growth, and successful execution of its M&A strategy. Despite facing challenges from ForEx impacts and some pressures in the Business Assurance division, the overall results were positive, supported by improvements in margins and leverage.
Q4-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Cash Generation
SGS achieved a record high cash generation of CHF748 million in 2024, marking a 24% increase compared to 2023.
Strong Organic Growth
SGS reported a strong organic growth of 7.5%, contributing to a record net sales of CHF6.8 billion.
Significant Margin Improvement
The company reported a 15.3% margin on sales, a 60 basis points increase over 2023.
Successful M&A Strategy
SGS completed 14 bolt-on acquisitions in 2024, enhancing its portfolio and reinforcing its presence, particularly in North America.
Double-Digit Growth in Sustainability
Incremental sales of CHF100 million were recorded in sustainability, with strong double-digit growth in climate-related services.
Improved Leverage
The company's leverage improved from 2 times in 2023 to 1.8 times in 2024, demonstrating financial stability.
Strong Performance in Natural Resources
The Natural Resources segment saw a strong organic sales growth of 7.6%, with significant contributions from minerals and oil, gas, and chemicals.
Negative Updates
ForEx Impact on Sales and Income
The Swiss franc's appreciation resulted in a negative ForEx translation impact of 4.8% on sales and 7.1% on adjusted operating income.
Challenges in Business Assurance
The Business Assurance division's growth was partially offset by a slowdown in consulting and an unfavorable comparable in consulting with Maine Pointe.
Volume vs. Price Pressure
Approximately 50% of the 7.5% organic growth was driven by price increases, indicating potential pressures on volume growth.
Company Guidance
In the 2024 fiscal year, SGS achieved remarkable financial performance, reaching a record CHF6.8 billion in net sales, driven by a strong organic growth of 7.5%. The adjusted operating income rose to CHF1,040 million, marking a 15.3% margin on sales, which is a 60 basis points improvement over 2023. Notably, the company generated an outstanding free cash flow of CHF748 million, a 24% increase from the previous year, and reported earnings per share of CHF3.10, up by 3.3%. Key strategic initiatives included executing a CHF100 million efficiency plan and acquiring 14 bolt-on companies, which contributed to the financial and operational success. Looking ahead to 2025, SGS anticipates continued strong organic growth, with sales expected to increase by 5% to 7%, and further margin improvements despite potential forex impacts.

SGS SA Financial Statement Overview

Summary
SGS SA shows strong profitability and cash flow generation with stable revenue growth and high returns on equity. However, significant leverage and slight declines in EBIT and EBITDA margins pose potential risks to financial stability.
Income Statement
80
Positive
SGS SA demonstrates strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin of over 85% and a solid net profit margin of approximately 8.6% for 2024. Revenue growth has been stable, with a 2.6% increase from 2023 to 2024, indicating steady expansion. However, EBIT and EBITDA margins slightly declined over the years, suggesting some pressure on operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The company's balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 4.87 in 2024, which indicates significant leverage, posing potential risks. However, the equity ratio has improved to 11.8%, reflecting better capital structure management. Return on equity is robust at 72.9%, highlighting effective use of equity despite higher leverage.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
SGS SA's cash flow is strong with a free cash flow growth rate of 17.94% from 2023 to 2024, indicating efficient cash management. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is favorable at 2.11, supporting financial stability. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.68 suggests limited excess cash generation after capital expenditures.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.79B6.62B6.64B6.41B5.60B
Gross Profit5.83B2.36B2.41B2.34B2.01B
EBITDA1.40B1.36B1.40B1.48B1.25B
Net Income581.00M553.00M588.00M613.00M480.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.75B6.76B7.12B7.01B6.91B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.21B1.57B1.62B1.48B1.77B
Total Debt3.88B4.41B4.45B3.81B3.87B
Total Liabilities5.87B6.23B6.36B5.80B5.77B
Stockholders Equity797.00M459.00M682.00M1.12B1.06B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow973.00M825.00M653.00M782.00M875.00M
Operating Cash Flow1.22B1.12B985.00M1.12B1.14B
Investing Cash Flow-393.00M-300.00M-397.00M-549.00M-671.00M
Financing Cash Flow-1.19B-839.00M-375.00M-826.00M-117.00M

SGS SA Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price82.76
Price Trends
50DMA
84.10
Negative
100DMA
83.51
Positive
200DMA
85.58
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.05
Negative
RSI
53.44
Neutral
STOCH
57.89
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CH:SGSN, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 82.76 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 82.33, below the 50-day MA of 84.10, and below the 200-day MA of 85.58, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.05 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 53.44 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 57.89 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CH:SGSN.

SGS SA Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (67)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
CHF20.34B16.92
4.82%13.34%-4.15%
73
Outperform
CHF16.22B27.03
3.83%2.60%3.16%
73
Outperform
CHF7.13B21.8211.24%4.74%7.28%7.39%
CHSUN
72
Outperform
CHF5.04B19.2922.45%2.85%7.58%14.41%
71
Outperform
CHF4.35B15.81
3.85%-4.20%-6.26%
68
Neutral
CHF3.81B19.49
3.28%2.66%2.91%
67
Neutral
£2.87B10.554.69%4.42%2.40%-24.48%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CH:SGSN
SGS SA
83.54
3.01
3.74%
CH:KNIN
Kuehne + Nagel International AG
171.30
-80.85
-32.06%
CH:ADEN
Adecco Group AG
25.96
-2.98
-10.30%
CH:DKSH
DKSH Holding AG
58.60
-6.50
-9.98%
CH:SUN
Sulzer AG
149.20
17.38
13.19%
CH:FHZN
Flughafen Zurich AG
232.20
37.12
19.03%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 18, 2025