July 4, 2024
Top 10 Stock Marks and Spencer 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: Marks and Spencer – Top 10 Stock in Employee Satisfaction Leaders in Europe
Marks and Spencer is listed as a top 10 stock on July 04, 2024 in the market index Employee Focus EU because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, it is a solid investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is low. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 96 (top 96% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Marks and Spencer on July 04, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Industry | Food Retail |
| Index | FTSE All Shares, FTSE 250, FTSE 350, Employee Focus EU, Human Rights, Renewables Users |
| 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 Marks and Spencer Strong Buy
| 360 METRICS | July 4, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 64 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 78 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 41 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 94 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 96 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 96 (better than 96% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Marks and Spencer are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Marks and Spencer. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 64, which means that the share price of Marks and Spencer is on the lower side compared with the typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is lower than for 64% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 78, 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. In addition, professional market sentiment is above average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 94. But the company’s financing is risky with a Safety rank of 41. This means 59% of comparable companies have a safer financing structure than Marks and Spencer. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 96, Marks and Spencer is better positioned than 96% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as good value (Value Rank of 64), above-average growth (Growth Rank of 78), and positive market sentiment in the professional investor community (Sentiment Rank of 94), it is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is limited, and disappointments are less likely, unless information not publicly available. Only the company financing structure is on the riskier side (Safety Rank of 41), but that would also mean better returns for shareholders if things work out well. Good value is sometimes an indication that the company's future is challenging. If they have been growing above average and are still a good value, it may indicate that this will not continue. We recommend evaluating whether the future of Marks and Spencer is as difficult as the low price of the stock, despite good growth and positive professional investor sentiment, suggests. Since the professional community is optimistic, you might have less to worry about, and the stock is just not sufficiently visible right now, which may indicate good timing. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Marks and Spencer very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 94 (better than 94% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Marks and Spencer is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Marks and Spencer. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 82 (better than 82% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. In addition, Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 83, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better in recommending investing in the company. In other words, they are getting even more optimistic about investments in Marks and Spencer. Finally, the Professional Investors rank is 100, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 100% of alternative investment opportunities. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 94 (more positive than 94% compared with investment alternatives), Marks and Spencer has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. But there is also a signal for caution. Market Pulse has a rank of 45, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks tend to be negative when discussing this company (more negative news than for 55% of competitors). This could mean future risks and should make investors careful. Attention to negative news for Marks and Spencer is worthwhile because they may be early warning signals. Without those, all other professional signals are encouraging, especially since analysts are getting more optimistic. ...read more
Value Strategy: Marks and Spencer Stock Price Value better than average
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 64 (better than 64% compared with alternatives), Marks and Spencer shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, where half the indicators are below and half are above average for Marks and Spencer. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 56, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 56% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning Marks and Spencer's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits (or Price / Earnings, P/E), more favorable than for 68% of alternatives. It is also positive for expected dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 45 (dividends are expected to be higher than for 45% 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 51% of all competitors have an even higher price compared with book capital which puts the Price-to-Capital Rank for Marks and Spencer to 49. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 64, is a buy recommendation based on Marks and Spencer'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: Marks and Spencer Growth Momentum high
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 78 (better than 78% compared with alternatives) for 2024, Marks and Spencer 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 all but one indicator above average for Marks and Spencer. Profit Growth has a rank of 55 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its profits more than 55% of its competitors. The same is valid for capital growth and stock returns. Capital Growth has a rank of 55, and Stock Returns has a rank of 99 which means that the stock returns have recently been above 99% of alternative investments. Only revenue growth is low with a Sales Growth has a rank of 22 (78% of its competitors are better). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 78, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The many positive growth indicators indicate a positive growth momentum with only low revenue growth. That can also be attributed to divestments or the sale of unprofitable businesses. If that is the reason, overall growth is well on track to making this stock attractive for growth investors. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Marks and Spencer Debt Financing Safety below-average
| SAFETY METRICS | July 4, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 40 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 35 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 61 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 41 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 41 (better than 41% compared with alternatives), the company Marks and Spencer 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 Marks and Spencer 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 Marks and Spencer. Liquidity is at 61, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 61% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is riskier at a rank of 35, 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 65% of its competitors. Leverage is also high at a rank of 40, which means that the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 60% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 41 (worse than 59% compared with alternatives), Marks and Spencer 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: Marks and Spencer Top Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | July 4, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 64 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 78 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 61 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 86 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 86 (better than 86% compared with investment alternatives), Marks and Spencer (Food Retail, United Kingdom) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Marks and Spencer are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 64 (better than 64% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 78) but are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 41), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 86, is a strong buy recommendation based on Marks and Spencer's financial characteristics. As the company Marks and Spencer's key financial metrics exhibit excellent performance in two areas, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 64) and above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 78), it could be argued that the risk-taking in financing (Obermatt Safety Rank of only 41) indicates that the company is optimistic about the future and sees debt as an opportunity to boost returns. More debt means more shareholder returns if everything goes well. However, higher debt burdens are risky when interest rates rise or the business deteriorates in a crisis. If you believe the company's future is market-typical or even better, this could be an argument for a share purchase. ...read more
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