Quest Holdings ended the first quarter of this year with a positive net cash position of €65.2 million, a figure that is expected to increase significantly by the end of the year, as the first three months of each year require a high level of working capital, a situation that gradually normalizes over the course of the year. It is indicative that as of December 31, 2025, the Quest Group’s positive net cash position stood at €107.4 million.
Furthermore, liquidity is very likely to surge to much higher levels should the multinational GLS exercise its option to acquire the remaining 80% of the subsidiary ACS.
Use of liquidity
But how does Quest’s management intend to use this excess liquidity of the group? As mentioned in yesterday’s conference call with analysts:
First, it has already paid €24 million in the first quarter of this year to acquire a minority stake in Fourlis Holdings. The group’s total investments are estimated to amount to around €60 million for the full year 2026.
Second, at its upcoming annual general meeting of shareholders, the company intends to propose the distribution of an increased dividend of €0.40 per share, which entails a cash outflow of approximately €42.8 million.
And third, management is keeping an eye out for new investments, provided, of course, that financially attractive opportunities arise.
Outlook
In other news, management reiterated its assessment that mild sales growth will be observed for the full year, while operating profitability (EBITDA) and pre-tax profits will remain at the same levels, due to the sale of the majority of the energy sector. For continuing operations, an increase is expected in both sales and profitability.