Fact based stock research
Kobe Steel (TSE:5406)
JP3289800009
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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.
Kobe Steel stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 84 (better than 84% compared with investment alternatives), Kobe Steel (Steel, Japan) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Kobe Steel are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 99 (better than 99% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 51), and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 51), which means low debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 84, is a strong buy recommendation based on Kobe Steel's financial characteristics. As the company Kobe Steel's key financial metrics all exhibit excellent performance, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 99), above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 51), and indicate that the company is safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 51), it is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the share is limited, unless the company has a bleak future. Such good financial performance can indicate that the company's future might actually be challenging, as it may be difficult to maintain the good performance. If they are safely financed and have been growing above average, and are still a good value, it means that the market is keeping prices low, for a reason which may become clearer over time. We recommend evaluating the future of Kobe Steel. If you believe the company's future is market-typical or even better, this could be an argument for a share purchase. 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 | Japan |
| Industry | Steel |
| Index | Low Emissions, Energy Efficient, Nikkei 225 |
| Size class | X-Large |
This stock has achievements: Top 10 Stock.
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: Kobe Steel
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 99 |
|
92 |
|
85 |
|
99 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 45 |
|
99 |
|
66 |
|
51 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 44 |
|
28 |
|
67 |
|
51 |
|
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 1 |
|
39 |
|
59 |
|
new |
|
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 27 |
|
85 |
|
83 |
|
new |
|
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 84 (better than 84% compared with investment alternatives), Kobe Steel (Steel, Japan) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Kobe Steel are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 99 (better than 99% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 51), and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 51), which means low debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 84, is a strong buy recommendation based on Kobe Steel's financial characteristics. As the company Kobe Steel's key financial metrics all exhibit excellent performance, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 99), above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 51), and indicate that the company is safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 51), it is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the share is limited, unless the company has a bleak future. Such good financial performance can indicate that the company's future might actually be challenging, as it may be difficult to maintain the good performance. If they are safely financed and have been growing above average, and are still a good value, it means that the market is keeping prices low, for a reason which may become clearer over time. We recommend evaluating the future of Kobe Steel. If you believe the company's future is market-typical or even better, this could be an argument for a share purchase. 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 | 99 |
|
92 |
|
85 |
|
99 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 45 |
|
99 |
|
66 |
|
51 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 44 |
|
28 |
|
67 |
|
51 |
|
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 72 |
|
90 |
|
96 |
|
84 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 99 (better than 99% compared with alternatives) for 2025, Kobe Steel shares are significantly less expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators that are all above average for Kobe Steel. Price-to-Sales is 87 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 87% of comparable companies, indicating a good value for Kobe Steel's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits, more favorable than for 92% of alternatives, and this is also true for the Price-to-Book capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Capital Rank of 78. Compared with other companies in the same industry, dividend yields of Kobe Steel are expected to be higher than for 82% of all competitors (a Dividend Yield rank of 82). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 99, is a buy recommendation based on Kobe Steel's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Since all value metrics are above the industry average, there is no objection to investing in Kobe Steel based on its detailed value metrics. 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) | 100 |
|
88 |
|
82 |
|
87 |
|
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 91 |
|
92 |
|
80 |
|
92 |
|
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 100 |
|
80 |
|
75 |
|
78 |
|
| DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
| DIVIDEND YIELD | 63 |
|
85 |
|
80 |
|
82 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 99 |
|
92 |
|
85 |
|
99 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 51 (better than 51% compared with alternatives), Kobe Steel 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, with three out of four indicators below average for Kobe Steel. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 71, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 27% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 27 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 73% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 27 and Stock Returns with a rank of 45 are also low (below 55% of alternative investments). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 51, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The good news from the invested capital side is surprising. A company with disappointing revenues, profits, and disappointed shareholders typically doesn't invest above average. Overall, the growth momentum for Kobe Steel is thus negative. As it is intriguing to see that company executives are optimistic about their investment policy, it is worthwhile looking into the details of the capital investment projects. They may indicate future growth and profits and thus if accompanied by a good value, a sign of good timing to invest in the stock. 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 limited here. ...read more
| GROWTH METRICS | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 39 |
|
39 |
|
20 |
|
27 |
|
| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 50 |
|
73 |
|
52 |
|
27 |
|
| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | 66 |
|
91 |
|
98 |
|
71 |
|
| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 45 |
|
100 |
|
39 |
|
45 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 45 |
|
99 |
|
66 |
|
51 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 51 (better than 51% compared with alternatives), the company Kobe Steel has financing practices on the safer side, which mean that their overall debt burden is lower than average. This doesn't mean that the business of Kobe Steel 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 Kobe Steel. Refinancing is at 83, meaning the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 83% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at 52, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 52% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. However, Leverage is rather large at 16, which means the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 84% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 51 (better than 51% compared with alternatives), Kobe Steel has a financing structure that is safer than that of its competitors. This is not bad if things go well. The higher debt level means better returns to shareholders if things go well. Many top-performing companies operate with higher debt levels, and Kobe Steel could be in that group. But if you expect the environment to turn rougher, the higher leverage could become a problem. The same is valid if you expect interest rates to rise. That could squeeze shareholder returns, which so far have benefitted from better conditions. In the long-term, investors may have a debt challenge with Kobe Steel 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 | 6 |
|
12 |
|
23 |
|
16 |
|
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 97 |
|
77 |
|
85 |
|
83 |
|
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 28 |
|
34 |
|
59 |
|
52 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 44 |
|
28 |
|
67 |
|
51 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
| SENTIMENT | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
| ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
43 |
|
34 |
|
new |
|
| OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
| OPINIONS CHANGE | 23 |
|
15 |
|
77 |
|
new |
|
| PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
| PRO HOLDINGS | 32 |
|
82 |
|
54 |
|
new |
|
| MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
| MARKET PULSE | 25 |
|
52 |
|
40 |
|
new |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | 1 |
|
39 |
|
59 |
|
new |
|
Free stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for Kobe Steel from July 31, 2025.
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