August 31, 2023
Top 10 Stock Sasol 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: Sasol – Top 10 Stock in Johannesburg Securities Exchange All Shares Index JSE All Shares
Sasol is listed as a top 10 stock on August 31, 2023 in the market index JSE All Shares 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 60 (high 60% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for Sasol on August 31, 2023.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | South Africa |
| Industry | Diversified Chemicals |
| Index | Low Emissions, Energy Efficient, Good Governace Growth Markets, Human Rights, Independent Boards Growth Markets, Water Efficiency, JSE All Shares |
| Size class | XX-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 Sasol Buy
| 360 METRICS | August 31, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 100 |
|
||||||
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 17 |
|
||||||
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 51 |
|
||||||
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 52 |
|
||||||
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 60 |
|
||||||
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 60 (better than 60% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Sasol are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for Sasol. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 100, which means that the share price of Sasol 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 100% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The company is also safely financed with a Safety rank of 51. In addition, professional market sentiment is above average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 52. But the consolidated Growth Rank has a low rank of 17, 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. 83 of its competitors have better growth. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 60, Sasol is better positioned than 60% 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 100), secure financing practices (Safety Rank of 51), and positive market sentiment in the professional investor community (Sentiment Rank of 52). 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 17), 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 Sasol 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 Sasol positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 52 (better than 52% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Sasol is above average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the indicators below and the other half above average for Sasol. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 83 (better than 83% of alternative investments). Currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. There are also many institutional investors invested in the stock, represented by a Professional Investors rank of 53 which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 53% of alternative investment opportunities. But Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 37, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the worse in recommending investing in the company. In other words, they are getting more critical of investments in Sasol. Furthermore, Market Pulse has a rank of 15, 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 85% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 52 (more positive than 52% compared with investment alternatives), Sasol has a reputation among professional investors that is above-average compared with that of its competitors. Three below-market sentiment indicators are a sign of caution, even if the stock has significantly appreciated. If analysts change their opinions, the stock may become too expensive. If the price is on the way down, the trend may continue. This may be a stock with a good reputation and history, but it may have reached its breaking point by now. Investors should look at the Value Ranks as well. If they indicate trouble, it may be around the corner. ...read more
Value Strategy: Sasol Stock Price Value at the top
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 100 (better than 100% compared with alternatives) for 2023, Sasol shares are significantly less expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators that are all above average for Sasol. Price-to-Sales is 87 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 87% of comparable companies, indicating a good value for Sasol's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits, more favorable than for 100% of alternatives, and this is also true for the Price-to-Book capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Capital Rank of 93. Compared with other companies in the same industry, dividend yields of Sasol are expected to be higher than for 100% of all competitors (a Dividend Yield rank of 100). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 100, is a buy recommendation based on Sasol's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Since all value metrics are above the industry average, there is no objection to investing in Sasol based on its detailed value metrics.
Growth Strategy: Sasol Growth Momentum negative
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 17 (better than 17% compared with alternatives), Sasol 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 Sasol. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 65, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 48% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 4 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 96% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 48 and Stock Returns with a rank of 9 are also low (below 91% of alternative investments). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 17, 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 Sasol 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. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Sasol Debt Financing Safety above-average
| SAFETY METRICS | August 31, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 24 |
|
||||||
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 92 |
|
||||||
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 46 |
|
||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 51 |
|
||||||
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 51 (better than 51% compared with alternatives), the company Sasol 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 Sasol 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 Sasol and the other two below average. Refinancing is at 92, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 92% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 24, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 76% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 46, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 54% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 51 (better than 51% compared with alternatives), Sasol has a financing structure that is safer than that of its competitors. A good Refinancing Rank means that the problems of the company may not be around the corner. But high Leverage is only good if things go well, and low Liquidity is a signal for caution. The financing signals for Sasol are on the riskier side, requiring the company's future to be on the safer side. Investors may want to look at Growth and Sentiment ranks before making an investment decision. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Sasol Above-Average Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | August 31, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 100 |
|
||||||
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 17 |
|
||||||
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 46 |
|
||||||
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 64 |
|
||||||
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 64 (better than 64% compared with investment alternatives), Sasol (Diversified Chemicals, South Africa) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Sasol are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 100 (better than 100% of alternatives), are safely financed (Safety Rank of 51, which means low debt burdens), but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 17). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 64, is a buy recommendation based on Sasol's financial characteristics. As the company Sasol's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 100) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 17) while being safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 51), it may be a safer investment because companies with low debt can better withstand times of crises. Yet the good value, better than 100% 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
Obermatt Portfolio Performance
We’re so convinced about our research, that we buy our stock tips.
See the performance of the Obermatt portfolio.