Keywords Studios - M&A engine revving up again

Keywords Studios has again showed the resilience of its model in H120, delivering 8% l-f-l revenue growth, 19% adjusted EBITDA growth and 17% adjusted EPS growth despite the impact of COVID-19. Adjusted EBITDA margins of 17.8% have held up better than we expected. Looking ahead, we see sustained industry growth, led by the console transition in Q420, with publishers increasingly recognising the resilience Keywords adds to their development processes. Following its third acquisition of the year, we see management once more focusing on M&A with net cash of €101m. Keywords’ strategy, which has delivered a five-year EPS CAGR of 42%, appears sustainable, with dividend payments to be resumed in FY21. As such, we believe that the shares remain set for continued appreciation.