Fact based stock research
Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC)
AU000000WBC1
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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.
Westpac Banking stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 53 (better than 53% compared with investment alternatives), Westpac Banking (Diversified Banks, Australia) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Westpac Banking are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 25 (worse than 75% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 61) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 72, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 53, is a buy recommendation based on Westpac Banking's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Westpac Banking exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 25), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 61). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 72) 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). 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° ViewnewThis stock has achievements: Top 10 Stock.
14-Nov-2024. 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: Westpac Banking
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 29 |
|
43 |
|
34 |
|
25 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 98 |
|
22 |
|
9 |
|
61 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 23 |
|
39 |
|
54 |
|
72 |
|
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
12 |
|
12 |
|
new |
|
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | n/a |
|
1 |
|
8 |
|
new |
|
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 53 (better than 53% compared with investment alternatives), Westpac Banking (Diversified Banks, Australia) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Westpac Banking are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 25 (worse than 75% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 61) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 72, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 53, is a buy recommendation based on Westpac Banking's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Westpac Banking exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 25), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 61). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 72) 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). 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 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 29 |
|
43 |
|
34 |
|
25 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 98 |
|
22 |
|
9 |
|
61 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 23 |
|
39 |
|
54 |
|
72 |
|
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 45 |
|
17 |
|
20 |
|
53 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 25 (worse than 75% compared with alternatives), Westpac Banking 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 Westpac Banking. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 76% 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 33 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 67% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Westpac Banking's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 21 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 79% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 24 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 76% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 25, is a hold recommendation based on Westpac Banking's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Westpac Banking? 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 Westpac Banking only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision, which is essential in this case, as the financial indicators are inconclusive. ...read more
| VALUE METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | 25 |
|
36 |
|
34 |
|
33 |
|
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 10 |
|
34 |
|
33 |
|
21 |
|
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 46 |
|
38 |
|
28 |
|
24 |
|
| DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
| DIVIDEND YIELD | 42 |
|
83 |
|
81 |
|
76 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 29 |
|
43 |
|
34 |
|
25 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 61 (better than 61% compared with alternatives), Westpac Banking 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 all but one indicator above average for Westpac Banking. Sales Growth has a rank of 54 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 54% of its competitors. Capital Growth is also above 11% of competitors with a rank of 57, and Stock Returns with the rank of 95 is also an outperformance. Only Profit Growth is low with a rank of 11 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits less than 89% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 61, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. All three operating growth indicators, namely revenue, profit, and capital growth, are showing improvements. This is a good indication of a company with a positive future. That might, at the same time, be the simple reason why profit growth is low. A growing company needs money and thus can't yet show high profit growth. Look out for signs in corporate communication about extra growth efforts costing time and money. If that is the case, Westpac Banking is a good growth 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. ...read more
| GROWTH METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 83 |
|
32 |
|
28 |
|
54 |
|
| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 65 |
|
26 |
|
8 |
|
11 |
|
| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | n/a |
|
77 |
|
75 |
|
57 |
|
| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 70 |
|
19 |
|
17 |
|
95 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 98 |
|
22 |
|
9 |
|
61 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 72 (better than 72% compared with alternatives), the company Westpac Banking 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 Westpac Banking 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 Westpac Banking. Refinancing is at 97, meaning the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 97% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at 71, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 71% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. However, Leverage is rather large at 23, which means the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 77% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 72 (better than 72% compared with alternatives), Westpac Banking 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 Westpac Banking 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 Westpac Banking and should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more
| SAFETY METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 36 |
|
17 |
|
20 |
|
23 |
|
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 58 |
|
96 |
|
100 |
|
97 |
|
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 19 |
|
49 |
|
56 |
|
71 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 23 |
|
39 |
|
54 |
|
72 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
| SENTIMENT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
| ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
31 |
|
7 |
|
new |
|
| OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
| OPINIONS CHANGE | n/a |
|
72 |
|
29 |
|
new |
|
| PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
| PRO HOLDINGS | n/a |
|
29 |
|
74 |
|
new |
|
| MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
| MARKET PULSE | n/a |
|
10 |
|
34 |
|
new |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
12 |
|
12 |
|
new |
|
Free stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for Westpac Banking from November 14, 2024.
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