March 21, 2024
Top 10 Stock Kulicke and Soffa 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: Kulicke and Soffa – Top 10 Stock in SDG 4: Quality Education


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Kulicke and Soffa is listed as a top 10 stock on March 21, 2024 in the market index SDG 4 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Only one consolidated Obermatt Rank is above-average. The company is safely financed, but all other facts speak against a stock purchase, especially the low market sentiment by professional investors. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 50 (high 50% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for Kulicke and Soffa on March 21, 2024.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country Singapore
Industry Semiconductor Equipment
Index SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, NASDAQ
Size class Large
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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 Kulicke and Soffa Buy

360 METRICS March 21, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 50 (better than 50% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Kulicke and Soffa are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with three out of four metrics below average for Kulicke and Soffa. The only rank that is above average is the consolidated Safety Rank at 98, which means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than those of 98% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. But the Value, Growth and Sentiment Ranks are all below average. The consolidated Value Rank has a less desirable rank of 31, which means that the share price of Kulicke and Soffa is on the high side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. The consolidated Growth Rank also has a low rank of 49, which implies that the company exhibits below-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth as well as stock returns. Finally, the consolidated Sentiment Rank is also low at a rank of 17, which means that professional investors are more pessimistic about the stock than for 83% of alternative investment opportunities. While Safety is strong, it’s not the most critical indicator, so we suggest proceeding with caution if you are considering this stock. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 50, Kulicke and Soffa is better positioned than 50% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As only the financing structure, namely the Safety Rank, is on the safer side and all other consolidated Obermatt Ranks are below-average, this is a riskier stock investment proposition. This is especially the case, since professional investor sentiment, the consolidated Obermatt Sentiment Rank, is also low at 17. The negative market view on Kulicke and Soffa may be the high stock price (low value) or the low level of growth. This is a problem. As the Safety Rank is the least significant of the four consolidated Obermatt Ranks, we cannot identify enough positive facts that are visible today to make a case for this stock investment. The company may have a strong future which would justify the high stock price, but this is not visible from investor behavior today. As market sentiment is critical, you should be careful with paying more than market-average for this stock, and conduct further research into the company's future growth potential. Prudent investors may only want to invest a smaller portion of their wealth in such situations. Young investors can carry more risk but should still thrive for sufficient diversification. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Kulicke and Soffa negative

SENTIMENT METRICS March 21, 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 17 (better than 17% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Kulicke and Soffa is critical, mostly below average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for Kulicke and Soffa. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 26 (worse than 74% 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 31 which means that stock research experts are getting even more pessimistic. It doesn't end with the analysts. Market Pulse is also low with a rank of 45, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the negative side when discussing this company (more negative news than for 55% of competitors). No wonder, the Professional Investors rank is only 20, which means that professional investors hold less stock in this company than in 80% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to stay away from Kulicke and Soffa, which may be due to a small company size but just as likely because of its relatively low Sentiment Rank. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 17 (less encouraging than 83% compared with investment alternatives), Kulicke and Soffa has a reputation among professional investors that is far below that of its competitors. Investors should be careful with this stock right now. Further research is required if an investment is desired, because the facts found in the professional community are all negative. ...read more



Value Strategy: Kulicke and Soffa Stock Price Value below-average critical

VALUE METRICS March 21, 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 31 (worse than 69% compared with alternatives), Kulicke and Soffa shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators where three out of four are below average for Kulicke and Soffa. Only the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) indicates good stock value with a Price-to-Book Rank of 50, which means that the stock price is lower compared with invested capital than for 50% of comparable investments. All other value indicators are below the market median. Price-to-Sales is 32 which means the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 68% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Kulicke and Soffa's revenue levels. The same is valid for the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 50 and for the dividend yields rank which is lower than for 59% of comparable companies, making the stock more expensive as regards to with the company's expected dividend payouts. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 31, is a hold recommendation based on Kulicke and Soffa's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Why are market participants paying such a high price for Kulicke and Soffa, where three out of four value indicators are below par? One reason could be that the company is well financed, indicated by the high book capital level, and has a promising future that is not yet visible in reported revenues and profits. That would also explain the low dividend yield because the company needs the cash to invest in its future. If investors can verify a picture in this sense, the stock may still be a good investment, even though current company-reported financials don't fully explain current stock prices. ...read more



Growth Strategy: Kulicke and Soffa Growth Momentum low

GROWTH METRICS March 21, 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 49 (better than 49% compared with alternatives), Kulicke and Soffa shows a below-average growth dynamic in its industry. There is limited momentum in this company. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below-average for Kulicke and Soffa. While Sales Growth ranks at 83, professionals currently expect the company to grow more than 83% of its competitors, while all other growth ranks are below the market median. Profit Growth has a rank of 30, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits less than 70% of its competitors, and Capital Growth has a low rank of 34. Historic stock returns were also below average with a current Stock Returns rank of 23 which means that the stock returns have recently been below 77% of alternative investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 49, is a hold recommendation for growth and momentum investors. If revenues are expected to increase, but all other growth indicators are negative, the company may be investing in future growth through means not visible in the balance sheet and thus not reflected in capital growth. The fact that Stock Returns have been below market doesn't mean that much, as it may be due to overly optimistic investor behavior in the past, which has been corrected to a more reasonable level recently. If that were the case, a positive Value Rank would be a reason to invest because the company is still expected to grow, while stock prices are now at a more reasonable level. ...read more



Safety Strategy: Kulicke and Soffa Debt Financing Safety very solid

SAFETY METRICS March 21, 2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with alternatives) for 2024, the company Kulicke and Soffa has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Kulicke and Soffa 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, where all three are above average for Kulicke and Soffa. Leverage is at 100, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 100% of its competitors. Refinancing is at a rank of 80, meaning that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 80% of its competitors. Finally, Liquidity is also good at a rank of 82, which means that the company generates more profit to service its debt than 82% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with alternatives), Kulicke and Soffa has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. These three positive financing indicators signal that the company is less likely to default on its debt obligations. However, it also means that its shareholder returns will be more modest if things go well. A low safety means fewer troubles in downtimes and less upside in good times. ...read more



Combined financial peformance: Kulicke and Soffa Above-Average Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE March 21, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 67 (better than 67% compared with investment alternatives), Kulicke and Soffa (Semiconductor Equipment, Singapore) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Kulicke and Soffa are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 31 (worse than 69% of alternatives) and show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 49) but are safely financed (Safety Rank of 98), which means low debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 67, is a buy recommendation based on Kulicke and Soffa's financial characteristics. As the company Kulicke and Soffa's critical financial metrics exhibit below-average performance, such as low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 31) and low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 49), it is a somewhat questionable stock investment, where the risk of paying too much for the shares is significant, unless the company has an exceptionally bright future. In this case, good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 98) are a positive sign, because it may allow the company to weather challenging times until the hoped-for cash flows materialize. This may be true for high-tech or biotechnology companies with enough cash to sustain prolonged business development. If they own properties that only provide cash flows in the future, the stock may look excessively expensive and unattractive today. In such cases, the Obermatt Method has limited value, as it is based on facts we can observe today. If the facts lie all in the future, stock investing becomes guesswork, and this should only be a driver in a limited number of investments that account for a small fraction of a safe portfolio. ...read more

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