March 28, 2024
Top 10 Stock FQM Sell Recommendation



How to read the 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.

Snapshot: FQM – Top 10 Stock in Lithium Mining and Production


first-quantum.com


FQM is listed as a top 10 stock on March 28, 2024 in the market index Lithium because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. All consolidated Obermatt Ranks are below-average. Based on the Obermatt Method, an investment in the company is not advisable today. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 4 (4% performer), Obermatt issues an overall sell recommendation for FQM on March 28, 2024.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country Canada
Industry Copper
Index Copper, Human Rights, Iron, Lithium, Low Waste, Rare Earth, Renewables Users, Recycling, Silver, Uranium, TSX Composite
Size class X-Large
Latest Research


Top 10 Stocks ≠ most popular stocks

When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).

For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).


360° View: Obermatt 360° View FQM Sell

360 METRICS March 28, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 4 (better than 4% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock FQM are critical, mostly below average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all four indicators below average for FQM. The consolidated Value Rank has a low rank of 31 which means that the share price of FQM is on the higher side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 69% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The consolidated Growth Rank also has a low rank of 47, which means that the company exhibits below-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth as well as stock returns. This means that growth is lower than for 47% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank has a riskier rank of 20, which means that the company has a riskier financing structure than 80% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. Finally, the consolidated Sentiment Rank has a low rank of 6, which means that professional investors are more pessimistic about the stock than for 94% of alternative investment opportunities. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 4, FQM is worse than 96% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. This means that FQM shares are on the riskier side for investors. As all consolidated Obermatt Ranks are below-average, this is a risky stock investment proposition, especially since professional investor sentiment, the consolidated Obermatt Sentiment Rank, is also low at 6. The negative market view on FQM may stem from the high stock price (low value), the low level of growth, or the risky financing structures. That's several problems with no good news anywhere. Based on the current information, we don’t see any compelling arguments to make a case for this stock investment. The company may have a strong future which would justify the high stock price, but this is not confirmed by investor behavior today. While FQM may have a bright future, it is reflected in neither the financial indicators nor the market sentiment. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for FQM negative

SENTIMENT METRICS March 28, 2024
ANALYST OPINION
ANALYST OPINION
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 6 (better than 6% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock FQM is critical, mostly below average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for FQM. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 26 (worse than 74% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to warn against investing in the stock of the company. Worse, Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 22 which means that stock research experts are getting even more pessimistic. It doesn't end with the analysts. Market Pulse is also low with a rank of 1, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the negative side when discussing this company (more negative news than for 99% of competitors). No wonder, the Professional Investors rank is only 20, which means that professional investors hold less stock in this company than in 80% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to stay away from FQM, which may be due to a small company size but just as likely because of its relatively low Sentiment Rank. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 6 (less encouraging than 94% compared with investment alternatives), FQM has a reputation among professional investors that is far below that of its competitors. Investors should be careful with this stock right now. Further research is required if an investment is desired, because the facts found in the professional community are all negative. ...read more



Value Strategy: FQM Stock Price Value below-average critical

VALUE METRICS March 28, 2024
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 31 (worse than 69% compared with alternatives), FQM shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, where half the indicators are below and half above average for FQM. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 50, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 50% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning FQM's revenue size. The same is valid for the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio), which is more favorable than for 91% of alternatives (9% of peers have a higher ratio). But expected dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 1 are lower than average (dividends are expected to be lower than 99% of other stocks) while the Price to Profit ratio (or Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio) is higher than average with a Price-to-Profit Rank of 7, making the stock more expensive compared with the company's expected profit levels. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 31, is a hold recommendation based on FQM's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Low profits and low dividends as seen here for FQM may indicate a restructuring phase. This could be transitory, making the company a good value when profits recover and dividends return to higher levels. If the stock price is compared with the size indicators for revenue and invested capital, it is on the lower side, making this stock a good value investment (apart from current profit and dividend expectations). ...read more



Growth Strategy: FQM Growth Momentum low

GROWTH METRICS March 28, 2024
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 47 (better than 47% compared with alternatives), FQM shows a below-average growth dynamic in its industry. There is limited momentum in this company. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for FQM. Sales Growth has a rank of 100 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 100% of its competitors. Capital Growth is also above 4% of competitors with a rank of 72. But Profit Growth only has a rank of 4, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its profits less than 96% of its competitors. And Stock Returns have also been below average with a rank of only 7. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 47, is a hold recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Profits are sometimes low if the company invests in the future. The positive revenue and capital investment outlook confirms such an interpretation. Both revenues and capital are solid growth indicators, and lower profits in such a case would be encouraging. But the investors see it differently by punishing the share price. Sometimes, Mister Market is not very reliable, because it is not uncommon for it to be volatile. Investors should look out for signs of growth expenditure that could justify low profit growth, and they may also find reasons why recent stock price developments don't confirm the growth outlook of operations. While operating growth indicators are not perfect, they are more reliable indicators for future performance than stock prices that can repeatedly surprise investors. ...read more



Safety Strategy: FQM Debt Financing Safety risky

SAFETY METRICS March 28, 2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 20 (better than 20% compared with alternatives), the company FQM has much riskier financing practices than comparable other companies, which means that their overall debt burden is significantly above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of FQM 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 FQM and the other two below average. Refinancing is at 64, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 64% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 11, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 89% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 18, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 82% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 20 (worse than 80% compared with alternatives), FQM has a financing structure that is significantly riskier than that of its competitors. A good Refinancing Rank means that the problems of the company may not be around the corner. But high Leverage is only good if things go well, and low Liquidity is a signal for caution. The financing signals for FQM are on the riskier side, requiring the company's future to be on the safer side. Investors may want to look at Growth and Sentiment ranks before making an investment decision. ...read more



Combined financial peformance: FQM Lowest Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE March 28, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 13 (worse than 87% compared with investment alternatives), FQM (Copper, Canada) shares have lower financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of FQM are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 31 (worse than 69% of alternatives), show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 47), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 20), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 13, is a sell recommendation based on FQM's financial characteristics. As the company FQM's key financial metrics all exhibit below-average performance, such as low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 31), low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 47), and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 20), it is a somewhat questionable stock investment, where the risk of paying too much for the shares is significant, unless the company has an exceptionally bright future. Such poor financial performance sometimes indicates that the company's business is all concentrated in some distant future. This is sometimes the case for high-tech or biotechnology companies. If they own properties that only provide cash flows in the future, the stock may look excessively expensive and risky today. In such cases, the Obermatt Method has limited value as it is based on facts we can observe today. If the facts are all in the future, stock investing becomes guesswork, and this should only be a driver in a limited number of investments that should only amount to a small fraction of a safe portfolio. ...read more

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