FRANKFURT/ESCHBORN (dpa-AFX) - Deutsche Borse is raising its turnover and profit expectations for the coming years. Overall, the company expects average annual growth in net proceeds of around ten percent compared to 2022 to around 6.4 billion euros in 2026, as the DAX-listed group announced at an investor conference on Tuesday. The Frankfurt-based market operator plans to increase its operating profit (EBITDA) by an average of around eleven percent annually to around EUR 3.8 billion up to and including 2026. The share price rose significantly at midday and led the DAX with a gain of more than two percent.

The "Horizon 2026" strategy follows on from the growth plans presented in fall 2020 under the title "Compass 2023". "In recent years, we have significantly expanded our strong business model into areas with stronger growth and recurring revenue," said CEO Theodor Weimer. The aim now is to continue the strong growth under our own steam and to take advantage of opportunities such as the Simcorp acquisition, which will be incorporated into a new Investment Management Solutions (IMS) segment. "And thirdly, we want to expand our leading role in the digitalization of trading classes," emphasized Weimer.

Deutsche Borse had already raised its forecast for the current year when it presented its figures for the third quarter in mid-October. Reasons for the optimism include: Higher interest income and the recently sealed takeover of Danish software provider Simcorp for 3.9 billion euros. With the largest acquisition in its history, Deutsche Borse wants to strengthen its data business and make itself less dependent on fluctuations on the financial markets. However, the share price of the Dax group has fallen significantly since the takeover was announced in April of this year.

Shareholders are now set to benefit from the first share buyback program in six years, as announced by Deutsche Borse on Monday evening: starting in the first quarter of 2024, shares worth up to 300 million euros are to be acquired.

In future, the company intends to distribute 30 to 40 percent of the net profit for the year attributable to shareholders as a dividend. Previously, the target was a ratio of 40 to 60 percent. However, as the Management Board expects profits to rise, it is planning to increase the dividend per share. In addition, shareholders could benefit from further share buybacks: "To the extent that excess liquidity is available, the company intends to supplement the dividend with share buybacks," Deutsche Borse announced./ben/DP/jha