Fact based stock research
Clearfield (NasdaqGM:CLFD)
US18482P1030
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For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Clearfield stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 45 (worse than 55% compared with investment alternatives), Clearfield (Communications Equipment, USA) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Clearfield are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 33 (worse than 67% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 81) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 98, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 45, is a hold recommendation based on Clearfield's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Clearfield exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 33), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 81). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 98) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more
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360° Viewnew| Country | USA |
| Industry | Communications Equipment |
| Index | NASDAQ |
| Size class | Small |
14-Nov-2024. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.
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Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.
Research History: Clearfield
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 4 |
|
3 |
|
32 |
|
33 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 98 |
|
91 |
|
13 |
|
81 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 38 |
|
96 |
|
100 |
|
98 |
|
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
97 |
|
57 |
|
new |
|
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | n/a |
|
83 |
|
47 |
|
new |
|
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 45 (worse than 55% compared with investment alternatives), Clearfield (Communications Equipment, USA) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Clearfield are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 33 (worse than 67% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 81) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 98, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 45, is a hold recommendation based on Clearfield's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Clearfield exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 33), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 81). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 98) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 4 |
|
3 |
|
32 |
|
33 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 98 |
|
91 |
|
13 |
|
81 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 38 |
|
96 |
|
100 |
|
98 |
|
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 43 |
|
91 |
|
36 |
|
45 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 33 (worse than 67% compared with alternatives), Clearfield shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators where three out of four are below average for Clearfield. Only the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) indicates good stock value with a Price-to-Book Rank of 60, which means that the stock price is lower compared with invested capital than for 60% of comparable investments. All other value indicators are below the market median. Price-to-Sales is 43 which means the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 57% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Clearfield's revenue levels. The same is valid for the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 60 and for the dividend yields rank which is lower than for 99% of comparable companies, making the stock more expensive as regards to with the company's expected dividend payouts. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 33, is a hold recommendation based on Clearfield's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Why are market participants paying such a high price for Clearfield, where three out of four value indicators are below par? One reason could be that the company is well financed, indicated by the high book capital level, and has a promising future that is not yet visible in reported revenues and profits. That would also explain the low dividend yield because the company needs the cash to invest in its future. If investors can verify a picture in this sense, the stock may still be a good investment, even though current company-reported financials don't fully explain current stock prices. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision, which is essential in this case, as the financial indicators are inconclusive. ...read more
| VALUE METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | 19 |
|
19 |
|
29 |
|
43 |
|
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 46 |
|
15 |
|
77 |
|
32 |
|
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 6 |
|
18 |
|
62 |
|
60 |
|
| DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
| DIVIDEND YIELD | 1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 4 |
|
3 |
|
32 |
|
33 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 81 (better than 81% compared with alternatives) for 2024, Clearfield shows one of the highest growth dynamics in its industry. Investors also speak of high momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Clearfield. Sales Growth has a rank of 76 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 76% of its competitors. Both Profit Growth, with a rank of 84, and Stock Returns, with a rank of 59, are also above average. But Capital Growth only has a rank of 29, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 71% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 81, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. That may be a good sign if the company is already well positioned and doesn't require more investments at this time. They may focus on growing the top (revenues) and bottom (profits) lines, recently rewarded with above-average stock returns for shareholders. But it may also be a sign of danger as the company is falling back with capital investment activities concerning competition. This requires further analysis of corporate communications. While momentum is a popular investment factor, the value aspect might be the more important one, in the longer term. We recommend analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks to arrive at a 360° View of the stock purchase case. ...read more
| GROWTH METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 98 |
|
80 |
|
67 |
|
76 |
|
| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 1 |
|
42 |
|
10 |
|
84 |
|
| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | n/a |
|
81 |
|
7 |
|
29 |
|
| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 92 |
|
100 |
|
11 |
|
59 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 98 |
|
91 |
|
13 |
|
81 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with alternatives) for 2024, the company Clearfield has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Clearfield is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, where all three are above average for Clearfield. Leverage is at 84, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 84% of its competitors. Refinancing is at a rank of 71, meaning that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 71% of its competitors. Finally, Liquidity is also good at a rank of 95, which means that the company generates more profit to service its debt than 95% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with alternatives), Clearfield has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. These three positive financing indicators signal that the company is less likely to default on its debt obligations. However, it also means that its shareholder returns will be more modest if things go well. A low safety means fewer troubles in downtimes and less upside in good times. Investors may not have a debt issue with Clearfield but they should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more
| SAFETY METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 58 |
|
100 |
|
80 |
|
84 |
|
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 24 |
|
13 |
|
73 |
|
71 |
|
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 53 |
|
98 |
|
98 |
|
95 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 38 |
|
96 |
|
100 |
|
98 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
| SENTIMENT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
| ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
79 |
|
9 |
|
new |
|
| OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
| OPINIONS CHANGE | n/a |
|
50 |
|
50 |
|
new |
|
| PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
| PRO HOLDINGS | n/a |
|
100 |
|
53 |
|
new |
|
| MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
| MARKET PULSE | n/a |
|
72 |
|
85 |
|
new |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
97 |
|
57 |
|
new |
|
Free stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for Clearfield from November 14, 2024.
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