Fact based stock research
Whitbread (LSE:WTB)

GB00B1KJJ408

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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.

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Whitbread stock research in summary

whitbread.co.uk


ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 26 (worse than 74% compared with investment alternatives), Whitbread (Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines, United Kingdom) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Whitbread are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 69 (better than 69% of alternatives) but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 15), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 36), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more


RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 26, is a hold recommendation based on Whitbread's financial characteristics. As the company Whitbread's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 69) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 15) and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 36), it may be a risky investment, because debt in times of crises can make things worse. The good value, better than 69% of comparable companies, may indicate the company's future is challenging. If you believe that low growth is temporary or just due to a specific current event, you may conclude that the good value of the stock provides an attractive investment opportunity. 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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Country United Kingdom
Industry Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines
Index FTSE All Shares, FTSE 100, FTSE 350, Renewables Users, Sound Pay Europe
Size class X-Large

This stock has achievements: Gold Winner CEO.

20-Feb-2025. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.


Further information

About the company

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Research History: Whitbread

RESEARCH HISTORY 2022 2023 2024 2025
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

Most recent update of the stock research: 20-Feb-2025. Financial reporting date used for calculating ranks: 29-Aug-2024. Stock research history is based on the Obermatt Method. The higher the rank, the better Whitbread is in the corresponding investment strategy.
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Combined financial peformance in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 26 (worse than 74% compared with investment alternatives), Whitbread (Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines, United Kingdom) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Whitbread are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 69 (better than 69% of alternatives) but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 15), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 36), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 26, is a hold recommendation based on Whitbread's financial characteristics. As the company Whitbread's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 69) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 15) and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 36), it may be a risky investment, because debt in times of crises can make things worse. The good value, better than 69% of comparable companies, may indicate the company's future is challenging. If you believe that low growth is temporary or just due to a specific current event, you may conclude that the good value of the stock provides an attractive investment opportunity. 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
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

Last update of combined financial performance: 20-Feb-2025. Stock analysis on combined financial performance: The higher the rank of Whitbread the better the performance.


Value Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 69 (better than 69% compared with alternatives), Whitbread 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 Whitbread. Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price to earnings, P/E ratio) is 59 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is lower than for 59% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning Whitbread's profit levels. The same is valid for the expected Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Capital Rank of 67, and for Dividend Yield with a Dividend Yield Rank of 80. But, compared with other companies in the same industry, the stock price is higher than average as regards expected revenues; only 75% of all competitors have an even higher stock price as regards to sales revenues (a Price-to-Sales Rank of 25). Profits, the level of invested capital, and dividend policy suggest that this stock is attractively priced. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 69, is a buy recommendation based on Whitbread's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Since it is on the expensive side for Price-to-Sales, it may mean that Whitbread has pricing power in its distribution market because it can charge higher prices than its competitors. If this is the case, all four value indicators are positive signals for purchasing Whitbread shares. 9. 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)
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

Last update of Value Rank: 20-Feb-2025. Stock analysis on value ratios: The higher the rank, the lower the value ratio of Whitbread; except for dividend yield where the rank is higher, the higher the yield.


Growth Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 15 (better than 15% compared with alternatives), Whitbread shows one of the most restricted growth dynamics in its industry. There is little momentum in this company. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Whitbread. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 60, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 24% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 11 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 89% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 24 and Stock Returns with a rank of 23 are also low (below 77% of alternative investments). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 15, is a sell 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 Whitbread 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
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH

Last update of Growth Rank: 20-Feb-2025. Stock analysis on growth metrics: The higher the rank, the higher the growth and returns of Whitbread.


Safety Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 36 (better than 36% compared with alternatives), the company Whitbread 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 Whitbread 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 Whitbread. Liquidity is at 60, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 60% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is riskier at a rank of 37, 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 63% of its competitors. Leverage is also high at a rank of 23, which means that 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 36 (worse than 64% compared with alternatives), Whitbread 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. If the company is sailing with good winds, as may be visible from the Growth and Sentiment performance, the refinancing risk may be lower than the low Refinancing rank suggests. ...read more

SAFETY METRICS 2022 2023 2024 2025
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

Last update of Safety Rank: 20-Feb-2025. Stock analysis on safety metrics: The higher the rank, the lower the leverage of Whitbread and the more cash is available to service its debt.


Sentiment Metrics in Detail

SENTIMENT 2022 2023 2024 2025
ANALYST OPINIONS
ANALYST OPINIONS
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT

Last update of Sentiment Rank: 20-Feb-2025. Stock analysis on sentiment metrics: The higher the rank, the more positive the sentiment for Whitbread.
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Free stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for Whitbread from February 20, 2025.

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