Vianet Group plc (VNET) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: £19.61M
• Dividend Yield: 2.14%
• Average Volume (3M): 36.46K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 18.9
• Beta (1Y): 0.51
• Revenue Growth: -5.27%
• EPS Growth: 8.93%
• Country: UK
• Employees: 129
• Sector: Industrials
• Sector Strength: 72
• Industry: Specialty Business Services
• EPS (TTM): <0.01
• Shares Outstanding: 28,425,163
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 82,891
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 36,459
• PEG Ratio: 2.70
• Price to Book (P/B): 0.63
• Price to Sales (P/S): 1.13
• P/FCF Ratio: 7.32
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: N/A
• 1Y Price Target: N/A
• Price Target Upside: N/A
• Rating Consensus: N/A
• Number of Analyst Covering: 0
• EPS Forecast (FY): N/A
• Revenue Forecast (FY): N/A

• Rating: 66 Neutral
• Price Target: 78.00p ▲(6.85% Upside)

Vianet Group plc's overall stock score reflects a blend of strong financial performance and positive corporate events, offset by bearish technical indicators. The company's robust cash flow and strategic initiatives are significant strengths, while the current technical analysis suggests caution due to bearish momentum. The valuation is reasonable, providing moderate income to investors.

Positive Factors

Free cash flow growth

Sustained FCF growth (15.8% y/y) indicates durable cash conversion from operations. Strong free cash flow supports reinvestment in product development, 4G/AI initiatives, dividend increases and potential M&A, improving strategic optionality and resilience over the next 2–6 months.

Low leverage and strong equity base

Very low leverage and a high equity ratio provide financial flexibility and lower solvency risk. This structural balance sheet strength supports capital allocation for growth initiatives, cushions against sector downturns, and reduces refinancing risk over a multi‑quarter horizon.

High gross and EBITDA margins

Robust gross and EBITDA margins reflect a scalable, software/transaction-driven business model with strong unit economics. High margin profile supports profitability as top-line recovers, enabling reinvestment in analytics and payment platforms and sustaining returns over several quarters.

Negative Factors

Revenue decline / retention risk

A year‑over‑year revenue decline highlights customer retention or demand challenges in core leisure/hospitality markets. Persistent top‑line weakness can limit operating leverage and slow margin expansion, risking the durability of recent profitability gains without product or sales execution improvements.

Decrease in total assets

A decline in total assets may signal asset sales, reduced investment or shrinking scale, which can restrict capacity to expand client deployments or upgrade infrastructure (4G/AI). Over multiple quarters, underinvestment could erode competitive position and long‑term revenue growth potential.

Modest return on equity

ROE of 3.2% remains low despite improvement, indicating limited ability to convert equity into profits. Persistently modest returns can constrain shareholder value creation and make it harder to justify capital raising if growth requires funding, limiting strategic flexibility over time.

Vianet Group plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Vianet Group plc provides data services, actionable management information, and business insights in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the United States, and Canada. It operates through Smart Zones and Smart Machines segments. The company offers SmartContact, a contactless payment solution for vending machines, self-service, and unattended retail markets; SmartVend, a vending management software system; iDraught, a draught beer quality and waste management system; SmartInsight, which provides actionable data and insights through interactive reporting; SmartAcademy which offers a range of e-learning videos and face to face training courses to support the business; and SmartMetrics, a telemetry solution that offers data capture and machine management services. It also rents fluid monitoring, machine monitoring, and contactless payment equipment. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Stockton-on-Tees, the United Kingdom.

How the Company Makes Money

Vianet generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily from its Smart Machines and Smart Payment Solutions divisions. The Smart Machines segment earns money by offering data collection services and analytics to businesses, which helps them optimize their operations and reduce costs. This is often achieved through a subscription-based model, where clients pay for ongoing access to software and analytics tools. In the Smart Payment Solutions division, Vianet earns fees from payment processing services and transaction commissions on the sales made through its payment systems. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships with various businesses in the hospitality and leisure industries, which expand its customer base and enhance its service offerings. Additionally, Vianet may receive revenue from software licensing and installation services, contributing to its overall earnings.

Vianet Group plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Vianet Group plc exhibits a positive financial trajectory with improvements across income, balance sheet, and cash flow statements. The company has shown resilience with steady profitability and robust cash flow generation. While the income statement reflects growth and improved margins, the balance sheet highlights financial stability and low leverage. Cash flow indicators suggest strong operational cash generation. Future challenges may include revenue retention and asset management to sustain growth.

Income Statement

Vianet Group plc shows a commendable recovery trajectory, with revenue growth from 2021 to 2025. Gross Profit Margin improved significantly over the years, reaching a robust 69.3% in 2025. Net Profit Margin has also stabilized from previous losses, with a noticeable increase to 5.7% in 2025. The firm's EBIT and EBITDA margins reflect operational efficiency gains, with 2025 EBIT and EBITDA margins at 6.9% and 27.7%, respectively. However, revenue in 2025 is slightly lower than in 2024, indicating a need for revenue retention strategies.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position, underpinned by a low Debt-to-Equity ratio of 0.12 in 2025, indicating prudent debt management. The Return on Equity improved to 3.2% in 2025, showcasing enhanced profit generation from equity. The Equity Ratio stands solidly at 79.8%, signifying a strong equity base relative to assets. However, a potential concern is the decrease in total assets from 2024 to 2025, which may impact future growth.

Cash Flow

Vianet Group plc demonstrates robust cash flow management with an impressive Free Cash Flow growth rate of 15.8% from 2024 to 2025. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is strong at 5.38 in 2025, indicating efficient cash generation relative to net income. The Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio of 2.71 further underscores healthy cash conversion. This positive cash flow trend supports the company's operational and strategic flexibility.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	14.84M	15.02M	15.18M	14.12M	13.21M	8.37M
Gross Profit	8.25M	10.42M	10.43M	9.38M	8.56M	5.06M
EBITDA	4.43M	4.17M	3.82M	3.46M	2.65M	-539.00K
Net Income	1.07M	857.00K	801.00K	161.00K	187.00K	-1.96M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	33.73M	34.01M	34.95M	32.78M	33.33M	33.75M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	2.57M	2.78M	1.82M	69.00K	1.58M	1.89M
Total Debt	3.15M	3.32M	3.62M	3.63M	4.61M	4.61M
Total Liabilities	6.87M	6.87M	7.75M	6.81M	7.59M	7.95M
Stockholders Equity	26.86M	27.14M	27.19M	25.97M	25.73M	25.80M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	3.44M	2.33M	2.01M	-317.00K	-55.00K	-1.56M
Operating Cash Flow	4.13M	4.61M	4.32M	2.04M	2.40M	1.05M
Investing Cash Flow	-2.42M	-2.29M	-2.31M	-2.35M	-2.43M	-2.62M
Financing Cash Flow	-1.39M	-1.37M	914.00K	-1.05M	-1.59M	3.08M

Vianet Group plc Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Neutral
• Last Price: 73.00
• 50DMA: Positive
• 100DMA: Positive
• 200DMA: Negative
• MACD: Negative
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Neutral

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:VNET, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 73 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 66.56, above the 50-day MA of 63.59, and below the 200-day MA of 73.05, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 2.56 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 59.15 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 66.67 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for GB:VNET.

Vianet Group plc Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
WATR	78 Outperform	£61.98M	16.57	6.87%	―	7.16%	-11.00%
MTO	76 Outperform	£2.16B	21.74	20.62%	2.58%	11.42%	-17.18%
RTO	74 Outperform	£11.85B	46.35	5.93%	1.68%	-1.58%	-34.64%
ITRK	74 Outperform	£7.09B	20.48	29.71%	3.44%	1.14%	17.74%
VNET	66 Neutral	£19.61M	18.85	3.96%	2.14%	-5.27%	8.93%
CPI	64 Neutral	£485.53M	28.22	9.00%	―	-4.87%	―
Sector *	63 Neutral	$10.79B	15.43	7.44%	2.01%	2.89%	-14.66%

Vianet Group plc Corporate Events

Vianet Group PLC Updates Interim Dividend Schedule

Vianet Group PLC has updated its interim dividend schedule, announcing that shareholders registered by the close of business on 19 December 2025 will receive the dividend of 0.4 pence per ordinary share on 28 January 2026. This announcement reinforces the company’s commitment to its stakeholders and highlights its consistent efforts in delivering shareholder value, with its operations providing critical insights and advanced solutions across various industries.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:VNET) stock is a Hold with a £64.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Vianet Group plc stock, see the GB:VNET Stock Forecast page.

Vianet Group Announces Interim Dividend for Shareholders

Vianet Group plc has announced an interim dividend of 0.4 pence per ordinary share, to be distributed on 28 January 2026 to shareholders registered by 12 December 2025. This move reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering value to its shareholders, supported by its robust ecosystem of connected devices and data-driven insights, which continue to enhance operational efficiency and profitability across its diverse market segments.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:VNET) stock is a Hold with a £64.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Vianet Group plc stock, see the GB:VNET Stock Forecast page.

Vianet Group Reports Strong H1 Results and Strategic Growth Initiatives

Vianet Group plc announced strong interim results for the first half of FY26, showcasing resilience amidst challenging macroeconomic conditions. The company reported a 33% increase in interim dividends, improved gross margins, and a significant reduction in net debt. The transition from 2G to 4G technology is expected to drive long-term growth, with strategic investments in AI, analytics, and expansion in the USA and forecourts contributing to commercial momentum. Both divisions, Smart Machines and Smart Zones, demonstrated solid performance, with increased recurring revenues and operational efficiencies. The company remains confident in achieving full-year expectations and sustaining long-term growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:VNET) stock is a Hold with a £71.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Vianet Group plc stock, see the GB:VNET Stock Forecast page.

Vianet Group Reports Strong H1 2026 Performance Amid Economic Uncertainty

Vianet Group plc reported a positive trading update for the first half of 2026, showcasing their robust business model with 84% of revenue being recurring. Despite economic uncertainties, the company achieved an 11.6% increase in EBITDA and a 10.4% rise in operating profit, supported by strong cash generation and reduced net debt. The company also announced a 33% increase in the interim dividend, reflecting confidence in future growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:VNET) stock is a Hold with a £71.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Vianet Group plc stock, see the GB:VNET Stock Forecast page.

Vianet Group PLC Announces Share Buyback and Voting Rights Update

Vianet Group PLC has announced the repurchase and cancellation of 52,000 ordinary shares, each valued at 65.80 pence, as part of its ongoing share buyback program. This transaction reduces the company’s total issued share capital to 28,425,164 shares, impacting voting rights and potentially affecting shareholder calculations under regulatory guidelines.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:VNET) stock is a Hold with a £95.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Vianet Group plc stock, see the GB:VNET Stock Forecast page.

Vianet Group PLC Executes Share Buyback and Adjusts Voting Rights

Vianet Group PLC has announced the buyback and cancellation of 47,000 ordinary shares, which were purchased at a volume weighted average price of 64.23 pence per share. This action reduces the company’s issued share capital to 28,677,164 ordinary shares, impacting the total voting rights and potentially influencing shareholder calculations under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:VNET) stock is a Hold with a £95.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Vianet Group plc stock, see the GB:VNET Stock Forecast page.

Vianet Group Appoints Sarah Bentham as New CFO

Vianet Group plc has appointed Sarah Bentham as the new CFO, succeeding Mark Foster. Sarah, who has been with the company for 12 years and served as Finance Director for over five years, is recognized for her commercial acumen and strong business understanding, enhancing the company’s leadership team.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:VNET) stock is a Hold with a £95.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Vianet Group plc stock, see the GB:VNET Stock Forecast page.