September 26, 2024
Top 10 Stock HCL Strong Buy 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: HCL – Top 10 Stock in Nifty 50 India Index CNX Nifty 50
HCL is listed as a top 10 stock on September 26, 2024 in the market index CNX Nifty 50 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Two consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. While the company shows high growth, the stock price is high yet professional investor sentiment is low, which may be due to overly optimistic investor behavior, reflected in a low stock price value. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 79 (top 79% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for HCL on September 26, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | India |
| Industry | IT Consulting & oth. Services |
| Index | BSE Sensex, Good Governace Growth Markets, Independent Boards Growth Markets, CNX Nifty 50 |
| Size class | XX-Large |
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 HCL Strong Buy
| 360 METRICS | September 26, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 45 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 75 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 76 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 48 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 79 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 79 (better than 79% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock HCL are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for HCL. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 75, which means that the company experiences above-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 higher than for 75% of competitors in the same industry. In addition, the consolidated Safety Rank has a safer rank of 76 which means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than 76% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. But the consolidated Value Rank has a less desirable rank of 45 which means that the share price of HCL is on the higher side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means that the stock price is higher than for 55% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The consolidated Sentiment Rank also has a low rank of 48, which means that professional investors are more pessimistic about the stock than for 52% of alternative investment opportunities. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 79, HCL is better positioned than 79% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As only half of the consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, the picture is ambiguous. Growth is above-average (Growth Rank of 75), and the company is safely financed (Safety Rank of 76). However, professional market sentiment is low(Sentiment Rank of 48). The negative market view on HCL may be due to the high stock price (low value). A growth company like this may get too expensive at one point in time. If too many investors are desperate to board the train, they may drive stock prices above reasonable levels. It is typical for growth companies to have low value ratings, because investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much more do you pay for the stock of HCL compared with alternatives? You can use the following rule of thumb: The value rank shouldn’t be lower than one hundred minus the growth rank. For example, if the growth rank is at 75, and the value rank is at 5, you should tread carefully. If the value rank is at 40, it still might be a good value if the value rank is above 60. As market sentiment is low, you should be careful with paying more than market-average for this stock and conduct further research into the company’s future growth potential. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for HCL only reserved
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 48 (better than 48% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock HCL is below industry average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for HCL. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 35 (worse than 65% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to warn against investing in the stock of the company. But they are changing their opinions! Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 66, which means that stock research experts are more positive in their investment recommendations in the company. In other words, they are getting more optimistic of stock investments in HCL. More encouragingly, the Professional Investors rank is 68, which means that professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 68% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. But Market Pulse is on the lower side with a rank of 37, 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 63% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 48 (less encouraging than 52% compared with investment alternatives), HCL has a reputation among professional investors that is below that of its competitors. The sentiment signals are mixed for HCL. While analysts and the news channels are negative, there is a change in what analysts think. Above-average institutional investors in this company support them. Sentiment signals remain mixed with analysts and news channels pessimistic, though improving, and professional investors above average. ...read more
Value Strategy: HCL Stock Price Value below-average critical
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 45 (worse than 55% compared with alternatives), HCL 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 below average for HCL. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 85% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 41 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 59% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning HCL's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 44 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 56% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 28 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 72% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 45, is a hold recommendation based on HCL's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick HCL? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose HCL only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: HCL Growth Momentum high
| GROWTH METRICS | September 26, 2024 | |||||||
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| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 33 |
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| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 44 |
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| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | 68 |
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| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 83 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 75 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 75 (better than 75% compared with alternatives) for 2024, HCL 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 half of the indicators below and half above average for HCL. Capital Growth has a rank of 68, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 44% of its competitors. Investors welcomed this, visible in the Stock Returns rank of 83 (above 83% of alternative investments). But Sales Growth has only a rank of 33, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 67% of its competitors, and Profit Growth is also low at a rank of 44. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 75, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. This is an ambiguous picture. Revenue growth and capital growth are strong, but the growth in profit, which seems good, can also be an indication that growth momentum may be negative. The fact that stock returns have been above average doesn't help much, as stock returns are less reliable in showing a company’s future growth potential. Prices may perform well for the simple reason that investors were too pessimistic in the past and are now correcting their opinions and moving the stock price to a more reasonable level. As the growth picture is mixed for HCL, investors may want to look at value and sentiment indicators for a well-rounded picture of this stock. ...read more
Safety Strategy: HCL Debt Financing Safety very solid
| SAFETY METRICS | September 26, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 64 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 47 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 88 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 76 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 76 (better than 76% compared with alternatives) for 2024, the company HCL has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of HCL 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, with two out of three indicators above average for HCL. Leverage is at a rank of 64, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 64% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 88, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 88% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the safer side when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is lower at a rank of 47, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above-average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 53% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 76 (better than 76% compared with alternatives), HCL has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. The refinancing issues could be a short-term problem, especially if the company has reputation issues. Banks and investors don't like to refinance debt if there are clouds on the horizon. For this reason, investors should look at the refinancing environment for HCL. Does it look safe that debt that is coming due can be covered with new debt? If that is the case, then the financing situation of the company is on the safer side. If not, it may be better to wait until refinancing has been completed and the Refinancing rank is good again. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: HCL Top Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | September 26, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 45 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 75 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 88 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 92 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 92 (better than 92% compared with investment alternatives), HCL (IT Consulting & oth. Services, India) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of HCL are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 45 (worse than 55% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 75) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 76, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 92, is a strong buy recommendation based on HCL's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company HCL exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 45), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 75). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 76) 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). ...read more
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