[Click eStock] "Vuno, Expected to Achieve Profit in Q1 Next Year"

On the 21st, Kiwoom Securities downgraded the target price for Vuno from 48,000 KRW to 43,000 KRW, citing that the company's third-quarter performance this year fell short of market expectations.

Vuno recorded sales of 6.9 billion KRW and an operating loss of 2.8 billion KRW in the third quarter of this year. Sales increased by 92.4% compared to the same period last year.

Minsoo Shin, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, explained, "Sales fell short of market expectations by about 15.9%. Growth was limited due to operational issues related to the two-year retroactive extension of the new medical technology evaluation exemption, a decline in general ward occupancy rates due to the Chuseok holiday, and the impact of medical strikes."

He added, "As of the end of September, 'DeepCARS' is being used in 97 hospitals, including 18 tertiary general hospitals," and "the total number of beds held by these hospitals exceeds 40,000."

Researcher Shin introduced, "Monthly sales, which were sluggish in August and September, recovered growth last month," and "the decision to introduce DeepCARS is being finalized at tertiary general hospitals currently holding 2,424 and 1,541 beds, respectively." He emphasized, "Billing is underway at these hospitals, which could lead external growth in the fourth quarter of this year," and "this could serve as an important opportunity for surrounding hospitals to adopt DeepCARS."

Researcher Shin stated, "We expect to achieve sales of 9.5 billion KRW and an operating profit of 200 million KRW in the first quarter of next year," adding, "Surpassing the quarterly break-even point, we anticipate achieving an annual operating profit surplus next year."