MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - Following good business in the first half of the year, HR software specialist Atoss has set itself higher targets for the current year. Both sales and margins are expected to be higher. From analysts' point of view, however, the new target is still cautious. On the stock exchange, the news went down well on Tuesday. With a gain of 3.1 percent, Atoss shares topped the SDax at the start of trading. For the year as a whole, they have gained almost 54 percent.

Looking at the figures, Jefferies analyst Henrik Paganetty spoke of "strong growth" which had exceeded his expectations for the second quarter. The same applied to the operating profit margin. However, order intake was somewhat weaker than in the previous year. He said the new forecast was in line with his expectations. "However, we believe it is rather conservative, as the second half of the year is usually stronger than the first in terms of sales and margin," Paganetty said.

Specifically, sales for the current fiscal year are now expected to be at least 142 million instead of 135 million, according to the company's announcement after the close of business on Monday. Of this, 30 (previously in any case 27) percent should remain as earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit).

Atoss is also taking new confidence from its business in the first half of the year. According to preliminary calculations, the company increased its sales in the first six months by 37 percent to 73 million euros compared to the same period last year. In the software sector, the revenue increased by as much as 42 percent. Of the Group's sales, 33 percent remained with the company as operating profit (Ebit). A year earlier, the margin was significantly lower at 26 percent.

For 2025, Atoss continues to target sales of 190 million euros and an operating margin of over 30 percent. Full quarterly figures are due to be released on July 24.

Meanwhile, management intends to change the company's legal form from a stock corporation under German law to a European Company (SE). This has been decided by the Management Board with the approval of the Supervisory Board. The shareholders are to vote on this at next year's Annual General Meeting./jcf/mne/jha/