JENA (dpa-AFX) - Jena-based software provider Intershop is sticking to its business forecast for 2023 despite an uncertain economic situation. The rental software business continues to record rising profits, the listed company announced in Jena on Wednesday. With a view to the fourth quarter, it also referred to advanced negotiations with several potential new customers.

In the first nine months, the company achieved sales of 28.6 million euros, an increase of four percent compared to the same period last year. However, the operating result (Ebit) remained negative at minus 1.5 million euros (previous year: minus 1.1 million euros).

Intershop had lowered its business expectations for 2023 after a weak first half. For the full year, slight revenue growth is expected, but a negative operating result. However, this is not expected to be as high as the minus of EUR 2.9 million last year. Due to the expected loss, the company intends, among other things, to press ahead with the restructuring of sales in the U.S. market and to adhere to a fundamental hiring freeze.

The company had changed its business model some time ago and now sells fewer software licenses, instead focusing on rental software. Revenues in this strategically important so-called cloud business increased by 14 percent to 11.8 million euros by the end of September, according to the company. The share of total sales increased by three percentage points to 41 percent. For the year as a whole, incoming orders in this area are expected to total 24 to 26 million euros (previous year: 25.9 million euros)./geh/DP/he