October 17, 2024
Top 10 Stock Spark New Zealand 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: Spark New Zealand – Top 10 Stock in Australian Securities Exchange Index ASX 200


sparknz.co.nz


Spark New Zealand is listed as a top 10 stock on October 17, 2024 in the market index ASX 200 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. While half the consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average, investor sentiment is below average and thus a signal for caution. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 26 (26% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall hold recommendation for Spark New Zealand on October 17, 2024.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country New Zealand
Industry Integrated Telecommunication
Index ASX 200, ASX 300, NZSX 50
Size class 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 Spark New Zealand Hold

360 METRICS October 17, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 26 (better than 26% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Spark New Zealand are below the industry average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for Spark New Zealand. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 57, which means that the share price of Spark New Zealand 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 57% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 53, 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. But the professional market sentiment is below average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 25. Professional investors are more confident in 75% other stocks. Worryingly, the company has risky financing, with a Safety rank of 18. This means 82% of comparable companies have a safer financing structure than Spark New Zealand. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 26, Spark New Zealand is worse than 74% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. Even though half of the consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average, namely the Value Rank at 57 and the Growth Rank above-average at 53, the picture is still mixed. The professional investor community is skeptical, with the Sentiment Rank below-average at 25. In addition, the company financing structure is on the riskier side (Safety Rank of 18). Since the company is good value and the share price low, it should attract investors, yet professionals are skeptical. One may be tempted by above-average growth, but that could also change quickly, as past performance is not a good indicator of future performance. Since the financing structure is on the risky side, investors should be careful with this decision and conduct further research if they are serious about investing in this company. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Spark New Zealand only reserved

SENTIMENT METRICS October 17, 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 25 (better than 25% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Spark New Zealand is below industry average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half the indicators below and half above average for Spark New Zealand. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 24 (worse than 76% 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 15, which means that stock research experts are getting even more pessimistic. In addition, the Professional Investors rank is 29, which means that professional investors hold less stock in this company than in 71% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to invest in other companies. The only positive sentiment indicator for Spark New Zealand is Market Pulse, with a rank of 66, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks tend to be positive when discussing this company (more positive news than for 66% of competitors). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 25 (less encouraging than 75% compared with investment alternatives), Spark New Zealand has a reputation among professional investors that is below that of its competitors. This is an ambiguous picture: analysts are negative and getting even more critical while the news in the market is positive. Who should investors believe? This is a difficult question in such a situation. Investors should proceed cautiously and verify not only the financial performance in the Obermatt Value, Growth and Safety Ranks but also independent news coverage of the company. ...read more



Value Strategy: Spark New Zealand Stock Price Value better than average

VALUE METRICS October 17, 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 57 (better than 57% compared with alternatives), Spark New Zealand shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators above average for Spark New Zealand. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 52, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 52% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning Spark New Zealand's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits (or Price / Earnings, P/E), more favorable than for 54% of alternatives. It is also positive for expected dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 100 (dividends are expected to be higher than 100% 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 87% of all competitors have an even higher price compared with book capital which puts the Price-to-Capital Rank for Spark New Zealand to 13. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 57, is a buy recommendation based on Spark New Zealand'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 in 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 three good value ranks for Sales, Profits, and Dividends are reliable indicators for the stock price value. ...read more



Growth Strategy: Spark New Zealand Growth Momentum good

GROWTH METRICS October 17, 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 53 (better than 53% compared with alternatives), Spark New Zealand 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, where half of the indicators are below and half above average for Spark New Zealand. Profit Growth, with a rank of 51 (better than 51% of its competitors), and Capital Growth, with a rank of 83, are both positive, which is a healthy sign for positive development. But Sales Growth has only a rank of 48, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 52% of its competitors, and Stock Returns are at a rank of 5. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 53, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Stock returns that are a thing of the past can be less of a problem. Below-average revenue growth may be caused by divestments of underperforming businesses. If that is the case, then the positive developments of profit and capital growth are signs of a company with growth potential. If these are the reasons, overall growth is well on track to making this stock attractive for growth investors. ...read more



Safety Strategy: Spark New Zealand Debt Financing Safety risky

SAFETY METRICS October 17, 2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 18 (better than 18% compared with alternatives), the company Spark New Zealand 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 Spark New Zealand 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 all three metrics below average for Spark New Zealand. Liquidity is at 42, meaning that the company generates less profit to service its debt than 58% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the riskier side when it comes to debt service. Even worse, Leverage is at a rank of 14, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 86% of its competitors. Finally, Refinancing is at a rank of 41 which means that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is above average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 59% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 18 (worse than 82% compared with alternatives), Spark New Zealand has a financing structure that is significantly riskier than that of its competitors. This combination is rather dangerous in most situations. Only very promising companies with bright future outlooks and stellar reputations can operate with such risky financing.



Combined financial peformance: Spark New Zealand Below-Average Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE October 17, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 41 (worse than 59% compared with investment alternatives), Spark New Zealand (Integrated Telecommunication, New Zealand) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Spark New Zealand are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 57 (better than 57% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53) but are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 18), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 41, is a hold recommendation based on Spark New Zealand's financial characteristics. As the company Spark New Zealand's key financial metrics exhibit excellent performance in two areas, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 57) and above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 53), it could be argued that the risk-taking in financing (Obermatt Safety Rank of only 18) 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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