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CECONOMY AG (DE:CEC)
XETRA:CEC

CECONOMY AG (CEC) AI Stock Analysis

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DE:CEC

CECONOMY AG

(XETRA:CEC)

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Neutral 52 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:52Neutral
Price Target:
€4.50
▲(0.90% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/18/26
The score is primarily driven by strong revenue momentum and robust operating/free cash flow, but is held back by very high leverage, thin operating profitability, and loss-linked valuation signals (negative P/E). Technicals are broadly neutral and do not materially improve the outlook.
Positive Factors
Solid Revenue Growth
Sustained TTM revenue growth of ~15.6% indicates expanding demand and successful market positioning. Over a 2–6 month horizon this supports scale benefits, bargaining power with suppliers, and the ability to fund investments in omnichannel capabilities even if near-term margins remain compressed.
Robust Cash Generation
Consistent positive operating and free cash flow provides durable financial flexibility despite weak reported earnings. This cash conversion supports capex, working-capital management, and the potential to reduce leverage or fund strategic initiatives without relying solely on external capital.
Leading Omnichannel Market Position
Well-known brands and a broad omnichannel footprint (stores plus e-commerce) create structural advantages in customer reach, fulfilment options and supplier access. This entrenched market position improves resilience vs pure-play competitors and supports long-term revenue diversification.
Negative Factors
Very High Leverage
Debt-to-equity around 5.2x materially constrains financial flexibility and increases refinancing and interest-rate risk. Over months this limits the company’s ability to invest, pursue M&A, or absorb demand shocks, and makes capital structure repair a priority before growth initiatives.
Thin Profitability Margins
Very slim gross and operating margins leave little room to absorb cost inflation, price competition, or promotional pressure. Structurally low margin conversion makes earnings volatile relative to revenue and hampers the firm's ability to rebuild retained earnings or improve ROE without margin uplift.
Near-Breakeven Net Income & Negative ROE
Net income near zero and negative return on equity reduce internal capital generation and impair the company’s ability to deleverage organically. Persistent low or negative profitability can erode stakeholder confidence and limit funding options for strategic investments.

CECONOMY AG (CEC) vs. iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG)

CECONOMY AG Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCeconomy AG engages in the consumer electronics retail business. The company operates approximately 850 stores in 14 countries under the MediaMarkt brand; and approximately 170 stores in 3 countries under the Saturn brand. It also operates Flip4New for selling used electronic articles online. In addition, the company offers professional assistance for the installation, connection, and troubleshooting of electronic devices at home under the Deutsche Technikberatung brand. It operates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary, as well as in Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe. The company is based in Düsseldorf, Germany.
How the Company Makes MoneyCECONOMY AG primarily generates revenue through the sale of consumer electronics and appliances across its retail network. The company's revenue model is based on product sales, which includes both in-store and online transactions. Key revenue streams consist of direct sales of electronics and appliances, as well as ancillary services like delivery, installation, and warranty services. Additionally, CECONOMY benefits from partnerships with various technology manufacturers and brands, allowing them to offer exclusive products and promotions. The company's ability to adapt to e-commerce trends and expand its online presence also contributes significantly to its earnings, as more consumers shift towards online shopping. Seasonal promotions and special sales events further enhance revenue generation during peak shopping periods.

CECONOMY AG Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Revenue growth is strong (+15.6% TTM) and cash generation is solid (TTM operating cash flow €863m; free cash flow €687m). However, profitability is very thin (gross margin ~15.1%, operating margin ~0.8%) with roughly breakeven/slightly negative net income, and the balance sheet is a major constraint with very high leverage (~5.2x debt-to-equity) and negative ROE.
Income Statement
48
Neutral
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue grew strongly (+15.6%), but profitability is thin: gross margin is ~15.1% and operating profit is ~0.8% of sales. Net income is roughly breakeven (slightly negative), and margins have generally compressed versus 2024 (higher gross and operating margins), highlighting a volume-led recovery with limited earnings conversion.
Balance Sheet
28
Negative
Leverage is the main constraint: debt is ~5.2x equity (TTM), with a relatively small equity base versus the asset footprint. Returns on equity are negative in TTM (and were also negative in 2023/2025 annual), signaling inconsistent profitability and limited balance-sheet resilience if trading conditions weaken.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Cash generation is a clear strength: TTM operating cash flow (€863m) and free cash flow (€687m) are solid and have been consistently positive in recent years, even when net income was weak. The main watch-out is volatility in free-cash-flow growth (TTM down ~15% after stronger periods), suggesting working-capital and investment swings typical for retail.
BreakdownTTMSep 2025Sep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue23.11B23.07B22.44B22.24B21.77B21.36B
Gross Profit3.35B3.48B3.96B3.94B1.71B1.67B
EBITDA824.00M857.00M997.00M958.00M839.00M958.00M
Net Income-2.00M-35.00M76.00M-39.00M126.00M232.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets12.90B10.79B10.13B9.63B10.00B10.67B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.58B1.21B1.15B897.00M910.00M1.86B
Total Debt2.57B2.54B2.63B2.58B2.77B2.87B
Total Liabilities12.23B10.30B9.62B9.17B9.41B9.91B
Stockholders Equity671.00M486.00M516.00M463.00M590.00M713.00M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow687.00M689.00M645.00M828.00M13.00M309.00M
Operating Cash Flow863.00M879.00M838.00M1.00B219.00M450.00M
Investing Cash Flow-177.00M-202.00M-162.00M-236.00M-65.00M-263.00M
Financing Cash Flow-525.00M-469.00M-585.00M-649.00M-905.00M-77.00M

CECONOMY AG Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price4.46
Price Trends
50DMA
4.43
Negative
100DMA
4.42
Negative
200DMA
4.12
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
<0.01
Negative
RSI
48.36
Neutral
STOCH
68.33
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DE:CEC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 4.46 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4.41, above the 50-day MA of 4.43, and above the 200-day MA of 4.12, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of <0.01 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 48.36 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 68.33 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for DE:CEC.

CECONOMY AG Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
61
Neutral
€5.49B22.639.04%12.06%18.20%
52
Neutral
€2.16B-1,078.05-6.99%2.81%-146.04%
50
Neutral
€6.47B-10.69-32.53%23.23%76.05%
44
Neutral
€45.10M-0.65-75.59%-16.95%-24.45%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DE:CEC
CECONOMY AG
4.41
1.24
38.96%
DE:HBM
HORNBACH Baumarkt
67.50
6.35
10.39%
DE:ZAL
Zalando
20.69
-16.60
-44.52%
DE:DHER
Delivery Hero SE
20.42
-6.79
-24.95%
DE:MRX
Mister Spex SE
1.33
-0.25
-16.09%
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: Feb 18, 2026