Datron - Investment pays off

DATRON has built on a strong start to the year to deliver positive H118 results. While not strictly comparable owing to first group accounts, EBIT all but doubled thanks to sustained buoyancy in its largest business, CNC milling machines (revenue up 14%), and strict cost control (trading margin 9.0% vs 5.6% y-o-y). Despite a tightening of US trade policy, such momentum and management expectations of an export-led rise in order intake in the second half reinforce confidence in newly confirmed guidance for 2018 (revenue up 9% at c €55m and EBIT up 30% at c €5m). Finances remain disciplined (c €7m net cash at June 2018).