January 18, 2024
Top 10 Stock La-Z-Boy Strong 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: La-Z-Boy – Top 10 Stock in Low Waste Leaders
La-Z-Boy is listed as a top 10 stock on January 18, 2024 in the market index Low Waste because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, it is a solid investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is low, despite a currently slow growth momentum. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 87 (top 87% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for La-Z-Boy on January 18, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | USA |
| Industry | Home Furnishings |
| Index | Dividends USA, Low Waste, Recycling |
| Size class | Large |
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 La-Z-Boy Strong Buy
| 360 METRICS | January 18, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 50 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 37 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 97 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 82 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 87 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 87 (better than 87% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock La-Z-Boy are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for La-Z-Boy. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 50, which means that the share price of La-Z-Boy is on the lower side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is lower than for 50% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The company is also safely financed with a Safety rank of 97. In addition, professional market sentiment is above average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 82. But the consolidated Growth Rank has a low rank of 37, which means that the company is below average in terms of growth and momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth as well as stock returns. 63 of its competitors have better growth. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 87, La-Z-Boy is better positioned than 87% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. Three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks show above-average performance. The stock has as good value (Value Rank of 50), secure financing practices (Safety Rank of 97), and positive market sentiment in the professional investor community (Sentiment Rank of 82). It is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is limited, and disappointments are less likely to occur. The company’s growth expectations are below the industry average (Growth Rank of 37), but that could also be temporary since professional investors remain optimistic despite the low growth numbers. The low price as reflected in the good Value Rank could indicate that the company's future is challenging. The below-par growth performance may be the reason for this. Companies that grow less are typically cheaper than fast-growing competitors. We recommend evaluating whether the future of La-Z-Boy is as difficult as the stock’s low price suggests, despite the positive professional investor sentiment. Since the professional community is optimistic, you might have less to worry about, and the stock may just go through a more challenging phase now, indicating good timing. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for La-Z-Boy very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 82 (better than 82% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock La-Z-Boy is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for La-Z-Boy. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 64 (better than 64% 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 50, 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 La-Z-Boy. The Professional Investors rank is 72, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 72% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 87 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 87% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 82 (more positive than 82% compared with investment alternatives), La-Z-Boy 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 La-Z-Boy 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: La-Z-Boy Stock Price Value better than average
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 50 (better than 50% compared with alternatives), La-Z-Boy shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, where half the indicators are below and half above average for La-Z-Boy. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 51, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 51% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning La-Z-Boy's revenue size. The same is valid for dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 78, which means that dividends are expected to be higher than for 78% of comparable investments. On the other hand, the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) is less favorable than for 57% of alternatives (only 43% of peers have an even higher ratio). The same is valid for the Price-to-Profit (or Price / Earnings, P/E) ratio, which is higher than for 61% of comparable companies, making the stock more expensive compared with the company's expected profit levels. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 50, is a buy recommendation based on La-Z-Boy's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. This is a somewhat surprising picture, because it means that profits are low while dividends are high. One interpretation could be that profits are expected to increase, justifying the high dividend payments. But it could also mean that the company desperately keeps the high dividends to avoid a collapsing share price. This would be a rather dangerous constellation. ...read more
Growth Strategy: La-Z-Boy Growth Momentum low
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 37 (better than 37% compared with alternatives), La-Z-Boy 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 La-Z-Boy. Sales Growth has a below market rank of 38, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 62% of its competitors. The same is valid for Capital Growth, with a rank of 26, and Profit Growth, with a rank of 46. Currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits less than 54% of its competitors). Only shareholders are optimistic. Stock Returns are above average at a rank of 63, which means that the stock returns have recently been above 63% of alternative investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 37, is a hold recommendation for growth and momentum investors. That picture may be the result for a company that has reached the bottom. All went south for La-Z-Boy, and it still looks bad, but some investors already see light at the end of the tunnel, rewarding the stock with recent above-market stock returns. It could also mean that investors are correcting an overreaction to negative news. If that were the case, the positive stock returns are not yet a sign of recovery. Investors should look closely at the Value and Sentiment indicators before they make a stock purchasing decision, because growth is unlikely to be the driving argument behind this investment. ...read more
Safety Strategy: La-Z-Boy Debt Financing Safety very solid
| SAFETY METRICS | January 18, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 91 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 52 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 89 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 97 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 97 (better than 97% compared with alternatives) for 2024, the company La-Z-Boy has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of La-Z-Boy 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 La-Z-Boy. Leverage is at 91, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 91% of its competitors. Refinancing is at a rank of 52, meaning that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 52% of its competitors. Finally, Liquidity is also good at a rank of 89, which means that the company generates more profit to service its debt than 89% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 97 (better than 97% compared with alternatives), La-Z-Boy 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: La-Z-Boy Above-Average Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | January 18, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 50 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 37 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 89 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 73 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 73 (better than 73% compared with investment alternatives), La-Z-Boy (Home Furnishings, USA) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of La-Z-Boy are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 50 (better than 50% of alternatives), are safely financed (Safety Rank of 97, which means low debt burdens), but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 37). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 73, is a buy recommendation based on La-Z-Boy's financial characteristics. As the company La-Z-Boy's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 50) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 37) while being safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 97), it may be a safer investment because companies with low debt can better withstand times of crises. Yet the good value, better than 50% of comparable companies, may also indicate that 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 and the downside is limited due to below-average financing risks. ...read more
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