Last week, Columbus released its Q1 2025 results. Despite a challenging growth environment with a revenue decline of -2%, Columbus improved its EBITDA margin to 10.7% (from 7.9% in Q1 2024 adjusted for the M3CS legal case). The company maintained its full-year 2025 guidance, with organic revenue growth in the range of 7-9% and EBITDA margin in the range of 10-12%. We have updated our investment case one-pager with the recent news, including an updated overview of the peer group of Nordic-listed IT services and consultancy companies.

This morning, Columbus reported its Q1 2025 results. Despite a revenue decline of -2% YoY to DKK 434m in the quarter due to hesitation and postponements among customers from the current market uncertainty, EBITDA was DKK 46m in the quarter, corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 10.7% (compared to 7.9% adjusted for the positive effect of the M3CS legal case in Q1 2024).

We examined Nordic, listed IT service companies with the 'Rule of 20' metric we launched, measured with which a few companies achieved excellent performance in 2024. On average, Finnish IT service companies fared worse last year than other Nordic companies. Overall, however, it can be said that 2024 was still challenging throughout the Nordics.

Following the release of its full fiscal 2024 results, we sat down with Columbus' CEO & President Søren Krogh Knudsen to take a closer look at the year, and what is behind the expectations of solid growth and margin expansion again in 2025. We also discussed how 2024 and the outlook for 2025 is setting them up on delivering on the ambitious 2026 targets.

Today, we hosted an event with Columbus' CEO & President Søren Krogh Knudsen and Group CFO Brian Iversen, who presented the FY 2024 results and the outlook for 2025. The management presentation was followed by a Q&A session.

This morning, Columbus announced its annual report for 2024. The numbers were in line with the preliminary results in January. This implies that revenue was DKK 1,659m in 2024, corresponding to a growth rate of 8% (organic growth of 7%). In 2024, EBITDA amounted to DKK 153m, corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 9.2% and 30% growth.

Today, Columbus reported unaudited results for 2024 and its new 2025 guidance, and a decision to initiate a strategic review, potentially leading to a change in ownership, merger, or other consolidation.

Yesterday, we hosted an event with Columbus' CEO & President Søren Krogh Knudsen and Group CFO Brian Iversen, who presented the Q3 2024 results and the outlook for 2024. The management presentation was followed by a Q&A session. Watch the recording here.

Columbus expects to announce its Q3 2024 report on 5 November 2024. On 7 November 2024 at 15:00, Columbus’ CEO & President Søren Krogh Knudsen and CFO Brian Iversen will present the results and answer questions from the audience in an online live event.

This morning, Columbus reported its Q3 2024 results, maintaining its 2024 guidance. In Q3 2024, revenue growth was 8% (6% organic growth), driven by its Dynamics (8% YoY) business area and especially also high growth in Data & AI (23% YoY) and CXE (23% YoY). In Q3 2024, the EBITDA margin improved to 7.9% (from 6.0% in Q3 2023).

In the rest of the Nordic countries, organic revenue development turned upwards and profitability was at a reasonably good level in Q2.