DNB $EVO Play it right in fencing
Despite intact 2025 EBITDA margin guidance, a soft Q1 and near-term uncertainties made us cut our 2025–2027e EPS by c10%. The step-up of focus on regulated markets supports the long-term case, although it comes with costs near-term.
$EVO Weaker than expected but with intact guidance
While Evolution reiterated its 2025 margin guidance, Q1 was weaker than expected partly due to Europe ringfencing initiatives, driving a 6% miss on consensus EBITDA.
The company expects to see continued impact on Q2 profitability, but with improvements in H2. Evolution’s near-term initiatives (‘clean-up’) together with European gaming regulators, including controversial IP blocking in some cases, has been more negative than we had expected.
$EVO Buying opportunity on our data
According to our tracker, Evolution’s daily average players grew by 10% QOQ in Q1, compared with our quarterly average Live revenue growth of 3% for 2025e.
DNB $EVO We have raised our target price to SEK1,570 (1,550) and reiterate our BUY after signs of stabilising Live revenue growth (c20% YOY at constant FX) and delivery of mitigating factors for the capacity constraints in Georgia.
DNB $EVO Q3 adj. EBITDA was in line with cons (3% above us) and group revenue growth at constant FX improved slightly to 19% YOY – despite the issues in the key Georgia studio (union strike which made EVO run at only 60% capacity).
On a preliminary basis, we expect fairly stable consensus and a potential relief in the shares at end of the day. If possible, we would buy on weakness if there is any from the margin guidance talk (similar level in Q4 as in Q3).
DNB $EVO Data needs to be explained
According to our tracker, Evolution’s daily average players dropped 9% QOQ in Q3. We struggle to fully understand the softness, although there could have been a slight negative effect from the temporary Union strike in the Tbilisi studio.
DNB $EVO Turn the page and let’s get to work
We reiterate our BUY, but have lowered our target price to SEK1,550 (1,600) on a 3% cut to our 2024e EBIT, reflecting temporarily reduced capacity of tables in Q3 in a key studio (union strike in Tbilisi).
DNB $EVO According to our tracker, Evolution’s daily average players declined by 7% QOQ so far in Q3. Our data coupled with the temporary turmoil in the Tbilisi studio could imply minor downside risk to consensus Q3e Live revenue growth.

