Hexagon (HEXAB SS) Sweden
Technology
Iron Blue initiates coverage on HEXAB with a score of 34/60, which is top decile (fertile ground for shorting). Key areas of accounting focus include 1) Revenue recognition. 2) Stripped out one-off costs, share payments and PPA amortisation. 3) R&D capitalisations and contingent consideration releases. 4) Acquisition disclosures and strategy of buying HEXAB distributors. Regarding governance, they note the auditor lead partner’s relationship with HEXAB’s largest shareholder network, a non-independent board and committees, 2 classes of shares, CEO / CFO internal succession, Greenbridge relationship and unclear CEO annual bonus payout metrics. Iron Blue also flags a fairly large number of areas where disclosure could be improved.
Edition: 179
- 09 February, 2024