What are the key drivers behind the reported revenue and earnings performance for the first 9 months of 2024/25?
Fundamental drivers:
Coloplastâs 9âmonth interim shows a modest revenue uplift, primarily powered by continued volume growth in its core woundâcare and continence businesses. New product launchesâespecially the nextâgeneration ostomy skin barrier and the expanded range of homeâcare wound dressingsâhave been wellâreceived, lifting sameâstore sales in Europe and North America by lowââmid single digits. Pricing discipline, supported by modest priceâadjustments in premium segments, added another 1â2âŻ% to topâline growth. On the cost side, the company realized a 3âŻ% reduction in manufacturing overhead through the rollout of its âLean Productionâ initiative and a favorable foreignâexchange swing that offset higher rawâmaterial inflation, helping earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to beat consensus.
Trading implications:
The earnings beat and clear volumeâdriven narrative suggest the market will price in a steadier growth trajectory for Coloplast, especially as its product pipeline matures. Technicals show the stock holding just above its 50âday moving average with a bullish bullish engulfing pattern on the daily chart, while the RSI remains underâbought (~38), indicating upside potential if sentiment improves. Given the upsideâbiased fundamentals and the absence of major macroâheadwinds for its healthcare niche, a shortâtoâmidâterm long position (e.g., buying on a pullâback to the 20âday MA with a 6âmonth target of 10â12âŻ% above current levels) appears warranted. Investors should monitor Q4 guidance for any shifts in capitalâexpenditure plans or unexpected cost pressures that could temper the earnings momentum.