Atos, once a leading figure in the French IT services sector, has introduced its 'Genesis' strategic plan, aiming to steer the company out of its current financial turmoil. The four-year plan, announced in Paris, outlines ambitious economic goals for 2028, including a return to growth, doubling profitability, and leveraging the rise of artificial intelligence. With a debt peaking at €4.8 billion and a market capitalization that has plummeted from over €10 billion to €747 million, Atos's restructuring efforts in 2024, supported by creditor agreements, have been pivotal in stabilizing its financial structure.

The 'Genesis' strategy projects revenues of €8.5 billion in 2025, an 11% decrease from 2024, attributed to the voluntary revision of unprofitable contracts and past instability affecting commercial momentum. By 2028, Atos aims to rebound with revenues between €9 to €10 billion and an operational margin of 10%, a significant leap from the expected 4% this year. The company has stated that cumulative cash flows during this period will prioritize debt reduction, alongside a targeted and rigorous policy for strategic external growth, with no dividends or share buybacks planned before 2028.

Despite these ambitious plans, the market's reaction has been tepid, with Atos's shares dropping by 7.1% following the announcement. The immediate financial outlook for 2025 includes a net cash variation before debt repayment of approximately -€350 million, with positive organic growth and net cash variation anticipated by 2026. Atos currently holds a strong liquidity position of about €2 billion as of March 31, 2025, with no debt maturities before the end of 2029.

As part of its turnaround strategy, Atos is also set to reduce its international footprint, exiting markets in Asia and the Middle East where its presence is minimal, to focus on profitable regions with high potential, such as the United States. This move will see the company consolidate its operations into six regional hubs, leading to a significant reduction in workforce from over 110,000 three years ago to under 60,000 by 2026. However, Atos plans to maintain a credible size in both private and public markets to compete effectively against rivals like Capgemini and Accenture, with its French operations, which employed about 10,000 people in 2024, expected to remain largely unaffected.