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olivLaw · European equity research

Fountain S.A. FOU.BR

Belgium · Euronext Brussels · ISIN BE0003752665 · Vertical: Listed companies from Belgium

1.00EUR−2.91% · 1 dayClose 06 Nov 2026

Fountain SA is a Belgian-French wholesale distributor of food products, with a focus on coffee, that presents itself as a supplier with a more pronounced sustainability strategy, including sail-powered coffee shipping through its subsidiary Javry. The 2025 annual report includes for the first time a voluntary sustainability report, and companies with such commitments are more visible to investors watching emissions across the supply chain.

At the close of 06 Nov 2026, Fountain S.A. (FOU.BR) stock was 1.00 EUR (−2.91% on the day), with market capitalisation 5.6 m EUR, P/E 6.7 on diluted EPS of 0.15 EUR over the last 12 months, beta -0.04, 52-week range 1.00–1.65 EUR.

Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: ESEF annual reports and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.

Market cap
5.6 m EUR
shares as of 31 Dec 2025
P/E (TTM)
6.7
Diluted EPS TTM 0.15 · TTM to 31 Dec 2025
E/P (TTM)
15.00%
TTM to 31 Dec 2025
Dividend yield
unavailable
Beta (2y)
-0.04
Volatility (1y) 54%
52-week range
1.001.65

Price history

Loading chart…

Technical reading

RSI (14)
38.1
weak (30–45)
Bollinger (20, 2)
0.95 – 1.18
in the lower half of the band · %B 0.23 · band width 21.7%
SMA 50 / 200
1.19 / 1.46
downtrend (price < SMA50 < SMA200)
MACD (12, 26, 9)
-0.05 / -0.05
MACD above signal

Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).

Performance

CompanyEURO STOXX 50vs EURO STOXX 50Vertical median
1 month−5.7%−0.6%−5.0 pp—
3 months−23.7%−4.2%−19.5 pp—
6 months−37.1%+4.3%−41.4 pp—
Year to date−32.9%+7.5%−40.4 pp—
1 year−36.3%+9.9%−46.2 pp+6.8%
3 yearsunavailable+49.8%unavailable−6.1%
5 years+21.2%+42.8%−21.6 pp—
Max drawdown (1y)
−39.4%
21 Apr 2026 → 06 Nov 2026
Max drawdown (5y)
−45.4%
06 Aug 2025 → 06 Nov 2026
Compound annual growth (5y)
+3.9%
EURO STOXX 50 +7.4%

Price returns, dividends excluded.

Quarterly results

ESEF annual reports carry no quarters: the results are annual (below).

E/P over time

E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.

Today's P/E sits at the 67 percentile of its own 3-quarter history (min 4.9, median 6.2, max 9.9; quarters with earnings only).

Fiscal years

Fiscal year202320242025
Revenue29.0 m30.0 m30.3 m
Revenue YoYunavailable+3.2%+1.1%
Net income1.1 m1.7 m839.0 k
Net income YoYunavailable+52.8%−49.3%
Diluted EPS0.180.280.15
Diluted EPS YoYunavailable+55.6%−46.4%
net %3.7%5.5%2.8%
Free cash flow2.0 m2.6 m2.7 m

Balance sheet & financial health

Fiscal year 2025 · 31 Dec 2025

Cash
1.2 m EUR
Financial debt
3.4 m EUR
Net debt
2.2 m EUR
Equity
4.4 m EUR
Total assets
17.6 m EUR
Debt / equity
0.77x
Current ratio
0.69x
ROE
21.4%
ROA
4.7%
FCF margin
8.9%

Financial statements (source on every figure)

Revenue and net income (EUR)

Margins

Income statement · EUR

Revenue
2023
29.0 m
2024
30.0 m
2025
30.3 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Operating income
2023
558.0 k
2024
1.7 m
2025
1.5 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Depreciation & amortisation
2023
2.0 m
2024
1.8 m
2025
1.8 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

EBITDA
2023
2.5 m ≈
2024
3.6 m ≈
2025
3.3 m ≈

esef· 29 Apr 2026derived

Pre-tax income
2023
734.0 k
2024
1.6 m
2025
1.2 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Income tax
2023
-349.0 k
2024
-66.0 k
2025
406.0 k

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Net income
2023
1.1 m
2024
1.7 m
2025
839.0 k

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Diluted EPS
2023
0.18
2024
0.28
2025
0.15

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Weighted average diluted shares
2023
6.0 m
2024
6.0 m
2025
6.0 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Balance sheet · EUR

Cash
2023
706.0 k
2024
1.4 m
2025
1.2 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Receivables
2023
3.3 m
2024
3.3 m
2025
3.2 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Inventories
2023
2.1 m
2024
1.9 m
2025
2.6 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Current assets
2023
6.4 m
2024
7.0 m
2025
7.4 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Property, plant & equipment, net
2023
3.9 m
2024
4.0 m
2025
3.9 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Goodwill
2023
2.4 m
2024
2.4 m
2025
—

esef· 29 Apr 2025verified

Total assets
2023
17.1 m
2024
17.7 m
2025
17.6 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Accounts payable
2023
5.6 m
2024
5.0 m
2025
5.7 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Short-term debt
2023
—
2024
1.6 m
2025
1.5 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Long-term debt
2023
3.8 m
2024
2.2 m
2025
1.9 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Current liabilities
2023
10.7 m
2024
11.6 m
2025
10.8 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Total liabilities
2023
15.3 m
2024
14.2 m
2025
13.3 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Equity
2023
1.8 m
2024
3.5 m
2025
4.4 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Shares outstanding at year end
2023
6.0 m
2024
5.9 m
2025
5.6 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026derived

Cash flow · EUR

Operating cash flow
2023
2.6 m
2024
2.9 m
2025
3.1 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Capex
2023
571.0 k
2024
284.0 k
2025
418.0 k

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Free cash flow
2023
2.0 m ≈
2024
2.6 m ≈
2025
2.7 m ≈

esef· 29 Apr 2026derived

Investing cash flow
2023
-615.0 k
2024
-326.0 k
2025
-569.0 k

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Financing cash flow
2023
-2.8 m
2024
-1.9 m
2025
-2.7 m

esef· 29 Apr 2026verified

Computed indicators

Growth

Revenue growth (YoY)
1.1%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Revenue CAGR 3Y
unavailable
input data missing
Revenue CAGR 5Y
unavailable
input data missing
EBIT growth (YoY)
-15.6%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net income growth (YoY)
-49.3%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net income CAGR 3Y
unavailable
input data missing
Net income CAGR 5Y
unavailable
input data missing
EPS growth (YoY)
-46.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
EPS CAGR 3Y
unavailable
input data missing
EPS CAGR 5Y
unavailable
input data missing
FCF growth (YoY)
3.7%
computed by olivLawFY 2025

Profitability

Gross margin
unavailable
input data missing
EBITDA margin
10.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
EBIT margin
4.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net margin
2.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
FCF margin
8.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2025

Returns

ROE
21.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
ROA
4.7%
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
ROIC
15.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
ROCE
21.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Payout ratio (EPS)
unavailable
input data missing
Payout ratio (FCF)
unavailable
input data missing

Balance sheet

Net debt
2.2 m EUR
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Net debt / EBITDA
0.7x
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Debt / equity
0.8x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Interest coverage
unavailable
input data missing

Liquidity

Current ratio
0.7x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Quick ratio
0.4x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Cash ratio
0.1x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025

Cash

Operating cash flow
3.1 m EUR
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Capital expenditure
418.0 k EUR
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Free cash flow
2.7 m EUR
computed by olivLawFY 2025
FCF conversion
321.5%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Cash conversion
94.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2025

Efficiency

Days sales outstanding
39 days
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Days inventory outstanding
unavailable
input data missing
Days payables outstanding
unavailable
input data missing
Cash conversion cycle
unavailable
input data missing

Market and valuation

Market capitalisation
5.6 m EUR
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Enterprise value
7.7 m EUR
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Market cap / net income TTM
6.7x
computed by olivLawFY 2025
P/E (TTM)
6.7x
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Earnings yield
15.0%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
P/B
1.3x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
P/S
0.2x
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
EV/EBITDA
2.4x
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
EV/EBIT
5.3x
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
EV/Sales
0.3x
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
P/FCF
2.1x
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
FCF yield
48.2%
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Dividend yield
unavailable
no dividend in the structured statements; a missing line is not a confirmed zero
Shareholder yield (distributions)
unavailable
input data missing

1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.

Valuation

olivLaw classification

Neutral profile

Score: 73 / 100

A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.

Closing price

1.00 EUR

06 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series

Market cap: 5.6 m EUR

Key indicators

Market capitalisation
5.6 m EUR
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
P/E (TTM)
6.7x
computed by olivLawFY 2025
P/B
1.3x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
EV/EBITDA
2.4x
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
ROE
21.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2025 · balance sheet at 31 Dec 2025
Net margin
2.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Revenue growth (YoY)
1.1%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Dividend yield
unavailable
no dividend in the structured statements; a missing line is not a confirmed zero

Coverage and freshness

28/37 reporting lines present
Latest full fiscal year: 2025
Latest reported period: 31 Dec 2025
Latest balance sheet date: 31 Dec 2025
Share count (cover of the latest filing), as of: 31 Dec 2025
Source: esefpublished 29 Apr 2026
verified 84derived 3

Score by group

  • Quality76
  • Balance sheet24
  • Valuation96

Estimated value range

Low
1.88
EUR per share
Mid
2.45
EUR per share
High
4.69
EUR per share
Price: 1.00 EUR
The price is below the range
Potential to the central value: 144.6% (value / price − 1)
Margin of safety: 59.1% (1 − price / value)
Agreement between methods: same comparison basis (not independent confirmations) · 2 methods used · 1 independent bases

The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 1.67 – 5.84 EUR.

Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.

Method ranges (EUR per share)

— — Mid · ▏ Price

Valuation methods

  • DCF (discounted cash flow)unavailable · input data missing
  • Peers: EV/EBITDA2.09 – 5.84 (Mid 2.62)
    6 companies used · median multiple 5.1x · quartiles 4.2x – 10.6x
    CFEB.BR, DEME.BR, EKOP.BR, JEN.BR, MIKO.BR, MOUR.BR
  • Peers: P/E1.67 – 3.54 (Mid 2.28)
    24 companies used · median multiple 15.2x · quartiles 11.1x – 23.6x
    ACKB.BR, AGS.BR, AZE.BR, BANI.BR, BAR.BR, BEKB.BR, BELYS.BR, BPOST.BR, CAMB.BR, CFEB.BR, COLR.BR, DECB.BR, DEME.BR, DIE.BR, ECONB.BR, ELI.BR, EVS.BR, FAGR.BR, FLOB.BR, IBAB.BR, JEN.BR, KIN.BR, MELE.BR, MOUR.BR
  • Dividend discount (DDM)unavailable · the company pays no dividend: a dividend model needs an explicit initiation assumption

Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)

Risk-free rate
3.0%
Equity risk premium
5.5%
Beta (default)
1.00
Cost of equity
8.5%
Terminal growth
2.0%

Factor scorecard

Neutral profile · Score 73/100

FactorValueScoreWeight used
ROIC · Quality15.8%81 (vs peers)16%
Net margin · Quality2.8%44 (vs peers)9%
FCF conversion · Quality321.5%100 (on a fixed band)9%
Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growthunavailableunavailable—
EPS CAGR 3Y · Growthunavailableunavailable—
Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheet0.7x33 (vs peers)16%
Interest coverage · Balance sheetunavailableunavailable—
Current ratio · Balance sheet0.7x0 (on a fixed band)6%
P/E (TTM) · Valuation6.7x89 (vs peers)16%
EV/EBITDA · Valuation2.4x100 (vs peers)16%
FCF yield · Valuation48.2%100 (on a fixed band)13%
Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returnsunavailableunavailable—
Payout ratio (FCF) · Returnsunavailableunavailable—

Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.

Score groups

  • Balance sheet24/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
  • Growth· partialunavailable · 0/2 factors with a value
  • Quality76/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
  • Returns· partialunavailable · 0/2 factors with a value
  • Valuation96/100 · 3/3 factors with a value

A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.

Memo

FOUNTAIN SA (FOU.BR). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2025-12-31.

Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 30.3 m EUR in 2025; YoY growth 1.1%; net margin 2.8%; ROE 21.4%; net debt/EBITDA 0.7x.

The estimated value range is 1.88–4.69 EUR per share (median of 2 methods, agreement: same basis (multiples on one peer group, not independent confirmations)); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 2.45 EUR, the price of 1.00 EUR leaves a potential of 144.6% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of 59.1% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.

olivLaw score 73/100, methodological classification: neutral profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Groups assessed only in part: growth, returns. Not investment advice.

Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.

What supports the thesis

  • ROIC: 15.8%
  • FCF conversion: 321.5%
  • P/E (TTM): 6.7x
  • EV/EBITDA: 2.4x
  • FCF yield: 48.2%
  • The price is below the estimated value range

What contradicts it

  • Current ratio: 0.7x

Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): Revenue CAGR 3Y, EPS CAGR 3Y, Interest coverage, Shareholder yield (distributions), Payout ratio (FCF).

Versus the vertical median

Listed companies from Belgium · same country · compared with 39 companies

Multiples and returns vs the median

P/E
6.7x
vertical median 17.3x
below median (−61.4%)
EV/EBITDA
2.4x
vertical median 8.8x
below median (−73.3%)
P/S
0.2x
vertical median 1.1x
below median (−83.6%)
P/B
1.3x
vertical median 1.1x
above median (+16.0%)
ROE
21.4%
vertical median 8.3%
above median (+159.2%)
Net margin
2.8%
vertical median 4.3%
below median (−35.4%)
EBIT margin
4.8%
vertical median 8.2%
below median (−41.3%)
Revenue YoY
1.1%
vertical median 0.0%
above median
Net debt/EBITDA
0.7x
vertical median 0.5x
above median (+45.2%)
Dividend yield
—
vertical median 1.9%

Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)

Companies in the vertical

Market capP/EROENet marginRevenue YoY1A / 3A
ELI.BRElia Group12.0 bn23.49.6%13.6%−2.0%+29% / +35%
LOTB.BRLotus Bakeries11.4 bn66.420.9%12.7%+10.0%+82% / +76%
GBLB.BRGroupe Bruxelles Lambert - Groep Brussel Lambert10.6 bn82.30.8%2.1%+1.0%+6% / +9%
DIE.BRD'ieteren Group9.5 bn22.7—5.3%−1.5%+19% / +14%
ACKB.BRAckermans & Van Haaren8.8 bn22.18.4%7.6%+18.6%+22% / +77%
COLR.BRColruyt Group4.4 bn14.59.4%2.9%+3.1%+10% / −7%
DEME.BRDeme Group4.1 bn12.015.5%8.3%+1.3%+18% / +69%
AZE.BRAzelis Group2.9 bn15.96.6%4.3%+1.5%+27% / −43%
MELE.BRMelexis2.2 bn12.630.7%18.4%−3.3%+1% / −37%
BEKB.BRNV Bekaert SA2.0 bn30.23.1%1.8%−6.4%+8% / −6%
FAGR.BRFagron1.8 bn22.016.7%9.2%+14.3%+14% / +39%
KIN.BRKinepolis Group1.3 bn33.119.3%7.0%−4.5%+58% / +9%
JEN.BRJensen Group710.7 m17.315.1%9.1%+13.3%+28% / +112%
BAR.BRBarco556.0 m9.07.9%6.7%−9.9%−49% / −59%
IBAB.BRIon Beam Applications479.6 m38.910.7%2.1%+24.5%+45% / +50%
DECB.BRDeceuninck337.1 m24.34.3%1.7%−4.5%+7% / +7%
CAMB.BRCampine270.8 m12.228.6%6.1%+13.4%−12% / +160%
CFEB.BRAannemingsmaatschappij Cfe269.3 m11.29.9%2.0%−5.3%+24% / +49%
MOUR.BRMoury Construct265.2 m10.921.3%13.1%−4.0%+13% / +79%
EVS.BREvs Broadcast Equipment243.5 m6.020.8%21.7%+14.3%−49% / −36%
ECONB.BREconocom Group205.3 m39.51.2%0.2%+4.3%−4% / −37%
BPOST.BRBpost176.2 m2.76.3%1.5%−2.6%−53% / −81%
IMMO.BRImmobel172.2 m—-7.4%-25.2%−32.8%−24% / −36%
MONNI.BRKeyware Technologies166.0 m157.43.5%4.5%−5.9%−8% / −20%
HYSG.BRHybrid Software Group PLC121.3 m—-2.5%-5.5%+7.2%−4% / +13%

1- and 3-year price returns: for FOU.BR from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.

olivLaw engine forecast

The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.

The engine has no published run for this company yet.

Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)

Illustrative scenarios

Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.

Bear
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Base
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Bull
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Nothing is saved.

Estimated price (EUR)

Estimated priceBearBaseBull
1 years
0.57
Total return -43% · Per year -43%
1.01
Total return 1% · Per year 1%
1.53
Total return 53% · Per year 53%
3 years
0.52
Total return -48% · Per year -20%
1.03
Total return 3% · Per year 1%
1.72
Total return 72% · Per year 20%
5 years
0.47
Total return -53% · Per year -14%
1.06
Total return 6% · Per year 1%
1.94
Total return 94% · Per year 14%
What moves the 3-year price the most
  • Exit P/E± 0.26
  • Net margin± 0.18
  • Annual revenue growth± 0.15
  • Annual dilution± 0.02

AI analysis

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

In brief

Fountain SA is a Belgian-French wholesale distributor of food products, with a focus on coffee, that presents itself as a supplier with a more pronounced sustainability strategy, including sail-powered coffee shipping through its subsidiary Javry 1. The 2025 annual report includes for the first time a voluntary sustainability report, and companies with such commitments are more visible to investors watching emissions across the supply chain 1.

SWOT

Strengths

  • Short supply chain with direct contact with producers and product traceability, supported by regular visits to producers 1.
  • Sail-powered transport demonstrated in practice, with results reported for 2025, giving a clear differentiation story 1.
  • Presence in several European countries through seven consolidated entities, giving a diversified regional base 1.

Weaknesses

  • Scope 3 emissions dominate the carbon footprint, and control over them depends on suppliers and customers the company only partly influences 1.
  • The emissions reduction plan is not yet fully formalised, and several measures are still at the study stage 1.
  • The VSME sustainability report was not reviewed by the auditor, which limits confidence in the figures presented 1.

Opportunities

  • Extending sail-powered transport and other low-emission solutions could strengthen the position with environmentally conscious customers 1.
  • Switching building electricity contracts to green power and electric last-mile delivery are measures under consideration for the coming period 1.
  • Recyclable packaging and equipment refurbishing could reduce environmental costs and respond to demand for a circular economy 1.

Threats

  • Reporting and traceability requirements may change, and final European Union rules could alter the company's obligations 1.
  • Dependence on coffee, cocoa and milk exposes the group to raw material price volatility and intercontinental transport costs 1.
  • Aluminium-layer packaging for sensitive products remains hard to replace, which could slow the reduction of environmental impact 1.

Risks

  • Dependence on supply chain emissionshigh

    Most of the carbon footprint comes from suppliers and customers, so the reduction target depends on third parties the company only partly influences 1.

  • Reduction plan not fully formalisedmedium

    The report says the emissions reduction plan is not yet fully formalised, which could delay the expected results 1.

  • Limited verification of the reportmedium

    The VSME sustainability report was not reviewed by the auditor, so the information is harder to verify independently 1.

  • Coffee price volatilitymedium

    Purchases at fixed prices relative to the exchange market can reduce exposure to fluctuations, but costs could rise if reference prices fall or spike sharply 1.

  • Changing regulationlow

    Changes to reporting rules alter the company's obligations, and compliance costs could vary accordingly 1.

Investment thesis

What would need to be true (bull case)

  • If sail-powered transport and direct sourcing expand, the group could win customers who pay for traceability and lower emissions 1.
  • Positioning in the organic and Fairtrade segment could support margins if consumer demand for responsible products stays strong 1.
  • Voluntary sustainability reporting can be a commercial advantage if customers and investors find it credible and comparable over time 1.

What would break the thesis

  • If supply chain emissions do not fall, the reduction target could remain unmet and compliance costs could rise 1.
  • The absence of a fully formalised plan and of external verification of the report could limit investor confidence 1.
  • Purchase prices and intercontinental transport costs could compress margins, especially if raw material markets become volatile 1.

What to watch

  • Final emissions results and progress on scope 3 reduction2026
  • Decision on switching electricity to green power and on the vehicle fleet2026
  • Any external verification of the VSME sustainability reportnext annual report
  • Extension of sail-powered transport to more products and regions2026

Products, market & competition

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

The business

The Fountain group operates under NACE code 46.38, wholesale of other food products, through seven consolidated entities, including Fountain SA, Fountain Benelux SA, Javry SRL, Fountain France SAS and Fountain Denmark A/S 1. The company supplies coffee, organic and Fairtrade-certified products, as well as coffee machines and water fountains it places at customers' disposal 1. Javry runs a short supply chain, from producers to artisanal roasting in Belgium and sales to professional or private customers 1.

The sustainability strategy combines direct purchasing from cooperatives, collaboration with the sourcing company Belco and recyclable packaging, but the report stresses that a full emissions reduction plan is not yet fully formalised 1. The group states it no longer falls under mandatory CSRD reporting, so the voluntary VSME report was not reviewed by the auditor 1.

Sail-powered coffee transport, introduced in 2024, covered 23,461 km in 2025 over 69 days of crossing, which the company presents as a significant emissions reduction compared with conventional cargo shipping 1. The company links this initiative to its goal of reducing indirect emissions, but the figures are self-reported and were not externally verified 1.

Segments

Sourcing and roasting (Javry)

Javry handles direct sourcing and weekly roasting in Belgium, with fixed purchase prices paid to producers that the report says are on average 75 % above the exchange market price 1. This segment is the main driver of the group's sustainability story.

Distribution and equipment

The group places coffee machines and water fountains with customers, and equipment accounts for about 7 % of total emissions according to the report 1. Refurbishing machines reduces demand for new resources, an activity the company presents as part of its circular economy approach 1.

Market context

The wholesale coffee and food products market is sensitive to raw material and transport costs, and the report shows coffee, cocoa and milk purchases are a major emissions source for the group 1. Demand from professional and private customers who value traceability and organic or Fairtrade certification could support the group's premium segment 1.

Sustainability reporting rules are shifting: the Omnibus proposal removed the mandatory CSRD obligation for the group, yet the company chose a voluntary report, signalling a move toward transparency for investors and customers 1.

Trends

  • Low-emission transporttailwind

    Sail-powered maritime transport of coffee was extended in 2025 and is presented as a way to cut logistics emissions, which could support demand from impact-conscious customers 1.

  • Pressure on supply chain emissionsheadwind

    Scope 3 accounts for 93 % of the group's emissions, so reduction depends on suppliers and customers, which could raise compliance costs if requirements tighten 1.

  • Organic and Fairtrade certificationmixed

    The range of organic and Fairtrade products, with at least one organic reference in each product family, responds to consumer demand for responsible products but may bring additional certification costs 1.

  • Recyclable packaging and technical limitsmixed

    Recyclable packaging covers only part of the volume sold in bags, and sensitive products still need aluminium-layer packaging, which limits rapid progress toward full recyclability 1.

Competitive position

Fountain competes with other importers and wholesale distributors of coffee that work with roasters and sourcing partners in Europe. The report does not name competitors, so market share comparisons cannot be made from the sources provided 1.

The group's differentiation rests on its short supply chain, sail-powered transport and organic and Fairtrade certifications, which could set it apart from traditional importers buying through traders on exchange markets 1.

  • Traditional coffee importers buying on exchange markets

    The report describes competitors by their model rather than by name; they buy through traders, unlike Javry's direct sourcing 1.

  • Wholesale food distributors in the Benelux

    The group is active in Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark through its entities, so it competes with regional distributors in these markets 1.

  • Coffee machine suppliers for professional customers

    Fountain places machines and water fountains, placing it in competition with office and hospitality equipment suppliers 1.

  • Operators of organic or Fairtrade-certified coffee

    The group's certified range puts it in competition with other operators selling certified coffee to the same customer categories 1.

News & filings

Sources

  1. [1] Annual report, fiscal year ended 2025-12-31 (ESEF) · SEC / Fountain S.A. · 31 Dec 2025

Figures computed by olivLaw from ESEF annual reports and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.

Fountain S.A. (FOU.BR): stock, results, valuation and forecast · olivLaw