Fact based stock research
Howden (LSE:HWDN)
GB0005576813
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.
Howden stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 54 (better than 54% compared with investment alternatives), Howden (Trading & Distribution, United Kingdom) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Howden are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 46 (worse than 54% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 57) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 52, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 54, is a buy recommendation based on Howden's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Howden exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 46), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 57). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 52) 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° Viewnew| Country | United Kingdom |
| Industry | Trading & Distribution |
| Index | FTSE All Shares, FTSE 250, FTSE 350, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 15, SDG 8, Water Tech |
| Size class | Large |
This stock has achievements: Gold Winner CEO, Top 10 Stock.
25-Apr-2024. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.
Analysts rarely agree on a stock’s future. So, who do you believe? Obermatt translates those collective views into a single Sentiment Rank. That plus the financial ranks give you the ultimate 360° View. Sign up to access them.
It’s easier said than done. When your stock drops, it’s easy to want to sell it and find a better performer. Think twice, or even three times, before trading. Those fees (especially the hidden ones) can eat up your gains.
Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.
Research History: Howden
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 47 |
|
53 |
|
42 |
|
46 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 91 |
|
33 |
|
51 |
|
57 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 69 |
|
42 |
|
48 |
|
52 |
|
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
55 |
|
94 |
|
new |
|
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | n/a |
|
41 |
|
86 |
|
new |
|
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 54 (better than 54% compared with investment alternatives), Howden (Trading & Distribution, United Kingdom) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Howden are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 46 (worse than 54% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 57) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 52, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 54, is a buy recommendation based on Howden's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Howden exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 46), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 57). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 52) 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 | 47 |
|
53 |
|
42 |
|
46 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 91 |
|
33 |
|
51 |
|
57 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 69 |
|
42 |
|
48 |
|
52 |
|
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 88 |
|
36 |
|
47 |
|
54 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 46 (worse than 54% compared with alternatives), Howden 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 Howden. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 62% 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 24 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 76% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Howden's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 44 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 56% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 25 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 75% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 46, is a hold recommendation based on Howden's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Howden? 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 Howden 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) | 50 |
|
29 |
|
25 |
|
24 |
|
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 68 |
|
53 |
|
48 |
|
44 |
|
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 40 |
|
32 |
|
22 |
|
25 |
|
| DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
| DIVIDEND YIELD | 31 |
|
65 |
|
60 |
|
62 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 47 |
|
53 |
|
42 |
|
46 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 57 (better than 57% compared with alternatives), Howden 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 Howden. Sales Growth has a rank of 63 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 63% of its competitors. Both Profit Growth, with a rank of 52, and Stock Returns, with a rank of 80, are also above average. But Capital Growth only has a rank of 29, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 71% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 57, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. That may be a good sign if the company is already well positioned and doesn't require more investments at this time. They may focus on growing the top (revenues) and bottom (profits) lines, recently rewarded with above-average stock returns for shareholders. But it may also be a sign of danger as the company is falling back with capital investment activities concerning competition. This requires further analysis of corporate communications. 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 | 94 |
|
4 |
|
53 |
|
63 |
|
| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 64 |
|
88 |
|
14 |
|
52 |
|
| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | n/a |
|
7 |
|
21 |
|
29 |
|
| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 83 |
|
61 |
|
93 |
|
80 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 91 |
|
33 |
|
51 |
|
57 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 52 (better than 52% compared with alternatives), the company Howden 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 Howden 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 just one indicator above average for Howden. Liquidity is at 77, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 77% 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 38, which means that the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 62% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 52 (better than 52% compared with alternatives), Howden has a financing structure that is safer 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 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 66 |
|
34 |
|
36 |
|
38 |
|
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 40 |
|
51 |
|
34 |
|
37 |
|
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 69 |
|
54 |
|
76 |
|
77 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 69 |
|
42 |
|
48 |
|
52 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
| SENTIMENT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
| ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
77 |
|
77 |
|
new |
|
| OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
| OPINIONS CHANGE | n/a |
|
61 |
|
50 |
|
new |
|
| PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
| PRO HOLDINGS | n/a |
|
13 |
|
94 |
|
new |
|
| MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
| MARKET PULSE | n/a |
|
62 |
|
76 |
|
new |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
55 |
|
94 |
|
new |
|
Stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for Howden from April 25, 2024.
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