Vista Group (ASX: VGL) Surges to Record Highs with Cloud Expansion and Profit Growth

Key Highlights:

• Stock Soars: Vista Group’s share price surged 13.01% to $3.30, marking a 117.11% one-year return.
• Record Revenue: $150M total revenue (+5% YoY), with SaaS revenue up 21%.
• Profitability Rebound: EBITDA surged 62% to $21.6M, with positive free cash flow in 2H 2024.
• Cloud Acceleration: 17 new clients signed, with 683 sites live on Vista Cloud.
• Leadership Change: CFO Matt Cawte to step down, with Matt Thompson stepping in .

Vista Group International Ltd (ASX: VGL) has kicked off 2025 with record-breaking financial results and a massive surge in its share price, reflecting investor confidence in its cloud-first strategy and profitability rebound.

 

Stock Price Surges on Strong Financials

Following the release of its full-year 2024 results, Vista Group’s share price soared 13.01% to $3.30, bringing its one-year return to an astonishing 117.11%. Trading volume spiked to 48,921 shares, well above the four-week average of 9,914 shares.

With a market cap of $784.33M, Vista Group is solidifying its position as a tech leader in the film industry, outperforming the ASX 200 and its sector by over 100% in the past year.

Record Revenue and Profitability Milestones

Vista Group’s 2024 total revenue hit an all-time high of $150M, up 5% year-over-year (YoY), fueled by:

• SaaS revenue growth of 21% to $55.7M.
• Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) up 15% to $145.6M.
• EBITDA skyrocketing 62% to $21.6M, reflecting strong operating efficiency and cost management.

Crucially, free cash flow turned positive in 2H 2024, accelerating Vista’s return to profitability, with net profit before tax of $1.8M, a staggering 110% turnaround from a loss of $17.5M in 2023.

Looking ahead, the company has set an ambitious 2025 revenue guidance of $167M-$173M, with long-term EBITDA margin aspirations upgraded to 33-37% from 25-30%.

Cloud Transformation Gains Momentum

Vista Group’s cloud expansion continues at full speed, with 17 new enterprise clients onboarded in 2024, including Cine Colombia, Cinema West, and Silky Otter.

Vista Cloud now supports 683 live sites, with:

• 15% of total enterprise clients transitioned to digital solutions.
• 8% fully adopting Operational Excellence for improved efficiency.

With SOC 2 Type 1 certification achieved, Vista Cloud is meeting high industry compliance standards, ensuring data security and reliability—a critical factor in its rapid adoption among top-tier cinema operators.

Blockbuster Industry Growth Fuels Demand

2024 was a resurgence year for the cinema industry, with massive box office hits driving renewed interest in theatrical experiences.

• Inside Out 2 became the highest-grossing animated film ever ($1.7B).
• Deadpool & Wolverine set a record for R-rated film openings ($1.3B).
• Moana 2, Mission: Impossible, and Avatar sequels are set to drive 2025 attendance.

Vista’s position at the core of the global cinema tech ecosystem means it is well-placed to capitalize on industry tailwinds as cinemas embrace data-driven solutions for increased profitability.

Leadership Transition: New CFO Appointed

In a major executive shift, Chief Financial Officer Matt Cawte has announced his resignation, with Matt Thompson, the company’s current Global Head of Finance, stepping in as CFO by March 31, 2025.

Thompson, a Chartered Accountant with 20+ years of experience, previously held leadership roles at Just Eat plc and KPMG, bringing a strong financial and strategic background to Vista Group.

What’s Next for Vista Group?

With a strong revenue pipeline, robust cloud adoption, and improving margins, Vista Group is entering 2025 with confidence. Investors are betting on continued growth, and the triple-digit stock return reflects the company’s successful execution of its SaaS transformation strategy.

As cinema operators increasingly shift to digital-first, AI-driven business models, Vista Group remains one of the most compelling technology plays on the ASX.

With its share price at a 52-week high of $3.30, up 117% YoY, the stock’s momentum shows no signs of slowing—and neither does Vista Group’s ambition.