May 16, 2024
Top 10 Stock LPLIH Hold 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: LPLIH – Top 10 Stock in SDG 10: Reduced Inequality


lplfinancial.lpl.com


LPLIH is listed as a top 10 stock on May 16, 2024 in the market index SDG 10 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Only one consolidated Obermatt Rank is above-average. The company enjoys a positive professional investor sentiment, but all financial facts speak against a stock purchase. This is probably an investment into the future. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 44 (44% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall hold recommendation for LPLIH on May 16, 2024.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country USA
Industry Investment Banking & Brokerage
Index Employee Focus US, Diversity USA, SDG 10, SDG 16, SDG 5, SDG 8, NASDAQ, D.J. US Investing
Size class X-Large
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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 LPLIH Hold

360 METRICS May 16, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 44 (better than 44% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock LPLIH are below the industry average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for LPLIH. The consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 92, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 92% of alternative investment opportunities. But all other ranks are below average. The consolidated Value Rank has a rank of 35, which means that the share price of LPLIH is on the higher side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. The consolidated Growth Rank also has a low rank of 38, meaning that the company exhibits below-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, invested capital growth, and stock returns. This means that growth is lower than for 38% of competitors in the same industry. Finally, the consolidated Safety Rank has a riskier rank of 37 which means that the company has a riskier financing structure than 63% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 44, LPLIH is worse than 56% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As only the professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 92) is above-average, and all other consolidated Obermatt Ranks are below peers, the stock investing proposition case is rather weak. The stock price is expensive for a company of this size in this industry, visible in the below-average Value Rank. Growth is below the competition based on the Growth Rank, and the company has more debt than other companies, according to the Safety Rank. So the question becomes: How important is the Sentiment Rank when all others are below average? When it comes to growth, the low rating might be justified if growth is expected in the future and not yet reflected in current performance. This is often the case for companies with intellectual property, such as technology and pharmaceutical companies. In the early phases, these companies are expensive compared with their size and may have a lot of debt on their books, as is the case here, as seen in the low Value and Safety Ranks. Future growth may be the strongest investment rationale in this case, which is only reflected by institutional investors' opinions. You pay more than the market average for this stock and invest in a rather debt-loaded enterprise, but it may be worth it if the future of LPLIḤ is bright. A small investment might be justified, but proceed with caution. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for LPLIH very positive

SENTIMENT METRICS May 16, 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 92 (better than 92% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock LPLIH is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for LPLIH. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 76 (better than 76% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 74, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in LPLIH. The Professional Investors rank is 73, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 73% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 66 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 66% of competitors). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 92 (more positive than 92% compared with investment alternatives), LPLIH has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean LPLIH stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more



Value Strategy: LPLIH Stock Price Value below-average critical

VALUE METRICS May 16, 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 35 (worse than 65% compared with alternatives), LPLIH 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 are above average for LPLIH. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 93, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 93% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning LPLIH's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits (or Price / Earnings, P/E), more favorable than for 50% of alternatives. It is also positive for expected dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 10 (dividends are expected to be higher than for 10% 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 89% of all competitors have an even higher price compared with book capital which puts the Price-to-Capital Rank for LPLIH to 11. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 35, is a hold recommendation based on LPLIH'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 on 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 low Dividend Yield is also explained as such companies tend to invest their income into market development. The other good value ranks for Sales and Profits are encouraging indicators for the stock price value. ...read more



Growth Strategy: LPLIH Growth Momentum low

GROWTH METRICS May 16, 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 38 (better than 38% compared with alternatives), LPLIH 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 LPLIH. Sales Growth has a rank of 88 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow more than 88% of its competitors. Stock Returns are also above average with a rank of 56. But Capital Growth has only a rank of 5, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 95% of its competitors. Profit Growth is also low, with a rank of only 8, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits below average. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 38, is a hold recommendation for growth and momentum investors. This is a surprising picture, as the messages from the operating growth indicators of revenues, profits, and invested capital are mixed, while stock returns are above average. It may indicate new intellectual properties, such as brand improvement or a strong market position that shows in revenues but not in the capital. The low profit-growth rate may indicate an early phase where costs are still high, and revenues don't fully cover upfront investments or fixed costs. The positive investor outlook with a 56% peer outperformance is reaffirmed in this case which may be a good sign for an investment into a well-protected high-growth company. This fact needs to be confirmed by researching the company website and press. ...read more



Safety Strategy: LPLIH Debt Financing Safety below-average

SAFETY METRICS May 16, 2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 37 (better than 37% compared with alternatives), the company LPLIH 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 LPLIH 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 LPLIH. Liquidity is at 54, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 54% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is riskier at a rank of 39, 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 61% of its competitors. Leverage is also high at a rank of 31, which means that the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 69% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 37 (worse than 63% compared with alternatives), LPLIH has a financing structure that is riskier than that of its competitors. High Leverage (a low Obermatt Leverage Rank) is good in good times, because it usually indicates that shareholders get higher returns. The good Liquidity performance of the company is an indicator that this is the case. However, if you expect an economic downturn, you may stay clear of this stock because they have an above-average debt level that needs refinancing soon. ...read more



Combined financial peformance: LPLIH Lowest Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE May 16, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 13 (worse than 87% compared with investment alternatives), LPLIH (Investment Banking & Brokerage, USA) shares have lower financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of LPLIH are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 35 (worse than 65% of alternatives), show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 38), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 37), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 13, is a sell recommendation based on LPLIH's financial characteristics. As the company LPLIH's key financial metrics all exhibit below-average performance, such as low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 35), low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 38), and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 37), 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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