Fact based stock research
FirstRand (JSE:FSR)
ZAE000066304
How to read the free ranks
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.
FirstRand stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 55 (better than 55% compared with investment alternatives), FirstRand (Other Financial Services, South Africa) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of FirstRand are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 49 (worse than 51% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 47, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 55, is a buy recommendation based on FirstRand's financial characteristics. As the company FirstRand shows low value with an Obermatt Value Rank of 49 (51% of comparable investments are less expensive), investors should look at the other ranks. In this case, growth is expected to be above-average, better than 53% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 53). This is a typical case. Companies with above average growth tend to cost more than stocks with slower growth expectations. If this is a high-growth company, the low Obermatt Safety Rank of 47 is a good sign. The more debt a well-performing company has, the higher the returns to shareholders. However, if growth turns negative or interest rates increase, high debt may become a burden. If you believe the future is bright for FirstRand, even a low-value company (in terms of its key financial indicators) can be a good investment. 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 | South Africa |
| Industry | Other Financial Services |
| Index | Good Governace Growth Markets, JSE All Shares |
| Size class | Medium |
31-Jul-2025. 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: FirstRand
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 43 |
|
49 |
|
55 |
|
49 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 77 |
|
25 |
|
87 |
|
53 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 41 |
|
43 |
|
50 |
|
47 |
|
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 3 |
|
17 |
|
31 |
|
new |
|
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 25 |
|
7 |
|
64 |
|
new |
|
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 55 (better than 55% compared with investment alternatives), FirstRand (Other Financial Services, South Africa) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of FirstRand are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 49 (worse than 51% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 47, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 55, is a buy recommendation based on FirstRand's financial characteristics. As the company FirstRand shows low value with an Obermatt Value Rank of 49 (51% of comparable investments are less expensive), investors should look at the other ranks. In this case, growth is expected to be above-average, better than 53% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 53). This is a typical case. Companies with above average growth tend to cost more than stocks with slower growth expectations. If this is a high-growth company, the low Obermatt Safety Rank of 47 is a good sign. The more debt a well-performing company has, the higher the returns to shareholders. However, if growth turns negative or interest rates increase, high debt may become a burden. If you believe the future is bright for FirstRand, even a low-value company (in terms of its key financial indicators) can be a good investment. 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 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 43 |
|
49 |
|
55 |
|
49 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 77 |
|
25 |
|
87 |
|
53 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 41 |
|
43 |
|
50 |
|
47 |
|
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 63 |
|
15 |
|
86 |
|
55 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 49 (worse than 51% compared with alternatives), FirstRand shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators above average for FirstRand. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 58, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 58% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning FirstRand's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits (or Price / Earnings, P/E), more favorable than for 51% of alternatives. It is also positive for expected dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 71 (dividends are expected to be higher than 71% of other stocks). But, compared with other companies in the same industry, the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) is higher than average, making the stock more expensive. Only 75% of all competitors have an even higher price compared with book capital which puts the Price-to-Capital Rank for FirstRand to 25. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 49, is a hold recommendation based on FirstRand's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. A low level of book capital means that the company has a business that is leaner in assets than its competitors. For instance, the company could be leasing its production facilities or be more focussed on intellectual property, such as its brand and software, which is less visible in its book capital. If that is the case, the three good value ranks for Sales, Profits, and Dividends are reliable indicators for the stock price value. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision. ...read more
| VALUE METRICS | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | 39 |
|
50 |
|
52 |
|
58 |
|
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 46 |
|
43 |
|
50 |
|
51 |
|
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 25 |
|
28 |
|
26 |
|
25 |
|
| DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
| DIVIDEND YIELD | 74 |
|
76 |
|
74 |
|
71 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 43 |
|
49 |
|
55 |
|
49 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 53 (better than 53% compared with alternatives), FirstRand shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, where half of the indicators are below and half above average for FirstRand. Profit Growth, with a rank of 64 (better than 64% of its competitors), and Capital Growth, with a rank of 65, are both positive, which is a healthy sign for positive development. But Sales Growth has only a rank of 49, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 51% of its competitors, and Stock Returns are at a rank of 31. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 53, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Stock returns that are a thing of the past can be less of a problem. Below-average revenue growth may be caused by divestments of underperforming businesses. If that is the case, then the positive developments of profit and capital growth are signs of a company with growth potential. If these are the reasons, overall growth is well on track to making this stock attractive for growth investors. 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, especially since the growth performance is mixed here. ...read more
| GROWTH METRICS | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 56 |
|
52 |
|
52 |
|
49 |
|
| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 20 |
|
28 |
|
52 |
|
64 |
|
| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | 93 |
|
5 |
|
83 |
|
65 |
|
| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 75 |
|
65 |
|
71 |
|
31 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 77 |
|
25 |
|
87 |
|
53 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 47 (better than 47% compared with alternatives), the company FirstRand has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of FirstRand is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for FirstRand and the other two below average. Leverage is at a rank of 90 meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 90% of its competitors.Refinancing is at a rank of 37, which means that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is above-average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 63% of its competitors. Liquidity is at a rank of 32, meaning that the company generates less profit to service its debt than 68% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 47 (worse than 53% compared with alternatives), FirstRand has a financing structure that is riskier than that of its competitors. This is an indication that the company is on the riskier side when it comes to debt service. There is only below-market average liquidity, and a short-term refinancing issue might be around the corner. But in the long-term, the debt levels of FirstRand are on the safer side. Investors may have a short-term debt challenge and liquidity issues with FirstRand and should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more
| SAFETY METRICS | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 76 |
|
84 |
|
90 |
|
90 |
|
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 39 |
|
33 |
|
44 |
|
37 |
|
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 23 |
|
26 |
|
23 |
|
32 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 41 |
|
43 |
|
50 |
|
47 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
| SENTIMENT | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
| ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
36 |
|
30 |
|
new |
|
| OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
| OPINIONS CHANGE | 35 |
|
16 |
|
43 |
|
new |
|
| PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
| PRO HOLDINGS | 45 |
|
72 |
|
91 |
|
new |
|
| MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
| MARKET PULSE | 10 |
|
22 |
|
3 |
|
new |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | 3 |
|
17 |
|
31 |
|
new |
|
Free stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for FirstRand from July 31, 2025.
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