March 14, 2024
Top 10 Stock Contact Energy 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: Contact Energy – Top 10 Stock in New Zealand Stock Exchange Index NZSX 50
Contact Energy is listed as a top 10 stock on March 14, 2024 in the market index NZSX 50 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Three consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. Only the Value Rank is below average. The investment rationale may be an investment in future growth, supported by professional market opinion. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 65 (high 65% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for Contact Energy on March 14, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
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 Contact Energy Buy
| 360 METRICS | March 14, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 27 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 53 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 53 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 95 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 65 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 65 (better than 65% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Contact Energy are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Contact Energy. 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. This means that growth is higher than for 53% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank at 53 means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than 53% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. Finally, the consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 95, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 95% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank is less desirable at 27, meaning that the share price of Contact Energy is on the higher side compared with indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 73% of alternative stocks in the same industry. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 65, Contact Energy is better positioned than 65% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53), a safe financing structure (Safety Rank of 53), and positive professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 95), it is a solid stock investment where growth may be the strongest driver of the investment rationale, also reflected by institutional investors. It is typical for growth companies to have low value, as is the case here. Investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much more do you pay for the stock of Contact Energy compared with alternatives? You can use the following rule of thumb: The growth rank measures the growth momentum of the company (53% better than peers). The value rank could be the reverse reflection of that (47%). A Value Rank below that level may be assessed as expensive, a rank above that is still good value. Sometimes market sentiment just reflects the past, sometimes the reality. You pay more than the market average for this stock, but it may be worth it. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Contact Energy very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 95 (better than 95% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Contact Energy is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for Contact Energy. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 84 (better than 84% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 66, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in Contact Energy. The Professional Investors rank is 94, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 94% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 50 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 50% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 95 (more positive than 95% compared with investment alternatives), Contact Energy has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean Contact Energy stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more
Value Strategy: Contact Energy Stock Price Value below-average critical
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 27 (worse than 73% compared with alternatives), Contact Energy 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 Contact Energy. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 63% 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 25 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 75% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Contact Energy's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 28 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 72% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 22 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 78% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 27, is a hold recommendation based on Contact Energy's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Contact Energy? 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 Contact Energy only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: Contact Energy Growth Momentum good
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 53 (better than 53% compared with alternatives), Contact Energy 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 Contact Energy. Profit Growth, with a rank of 79 (better than 79% of its competitors), and Capital Growth, with a rank of 64, are both positive, which is a healthy sign for positive development. But Sales Growth has only a rank of 11, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 89% of its competitors, and Stock Returns are at a rank of 47. ...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: Contact Energy Debt Financing Safety above-average
| SAFETY METRICS | March 14, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 58 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 23 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 68 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 53 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 53 (better than 53% compared with alternatives), the company Contact Energy 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 Contact Energy 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 Contact Energy. Leverage is at a rank of 58, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 58% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 68, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 68% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the safer side when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is lower at a rank of 23, 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 77% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 53 (better than 53% compared with alternatives), Contact Energy has a financing structure that is safer than that of its competitors. The refinancing issues could be a short-term problem, especially if the company has reputation issues. Banks and investors don't like to refinance debt if there are clouds on the horizon. For this reason, investors should look at the refinancing environment for Contact Energy. Does it look safe that debt that is coming due can be covered with new debt? If that is the case, then the financing situation of the company is on the safer side. If not, it may be better to wait until refinancing has been completed and the Refinancing rank is good again. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Contact Energy Below-Average Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | March 14, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 27 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 53 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 68 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 34 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 34 (worse than 66% compared with investment alternatives), Contact Energy (Electric Utilities, New Zealand) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Contact Energy are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 27 (worse than 73% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 53, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 34, is a hold recommendation based on Contact Energy's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Contact Energy exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 27), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 53). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 53) 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). ...read more
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