Fact based stock research
South32 (ASX:S32)
AU000000S320
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.
South32 stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 34 (worse than 66% compared with investment alternatives), South32 (Diversified Metals & Mining, Australia) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of South32 are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 68 (better than 68% of alternatives) but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 35), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 40), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 34, is a hold recommendation based on South32's financial characteristics. As the company South32's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 68) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 35) and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 40), it may be a risky investment, because debt in times of crises can make things worse. The good value, better than 68% of comparable companies, may indicate 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. 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° ViewnewThis stock has achievements: 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: South32
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 48 |
|
57 |
|
56 |
|
68 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 69 |
|
81 |
|
49 |
|
35 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 98 |
|
84 |
|
55 |
|
40 |
|
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
88 |
|
42 |
|
new |
|
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | n/a |
|
100 |
|
38 |
|
new |
|
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 34 (worse than 66% compared with investment alternatives), South32 (Diversified Metals & Mining, Australia) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of South32 are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 68 (better than 68% of alternatives) but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 35), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 40), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 34, is a hold recommendation based on South32's financial characteristics. As the company South32's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 68) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 35) and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 40), it may be a risky investment, because debt in times of crises can make things worse. The good value, better than 68% of comparable companies, may indicate 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. 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 | 48 |
|
57 |
|
56 |
|
68 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 69 |
|
81 |
|
49 |
|
35 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 98 |
|
84 |
|
55 |
|
40 |
|
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 73 |
|
100 |
|
51 |
|
34 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 68 (better than 68% compared with alternatives), South32 shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators above average for South32. Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price to earnings, P/E ratio) is 50 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is lower than for 50% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning South32's profit levels. The same is valid for the expected Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Capital Rank of 66, and for Dividend Yield with a Dividend Yield Rank of 77. But, compared with other companies in the same industry, the stock price is higher than average as regards expected revenues; only 56% of all competitors have an even higher stock price as regards to sales revenues (a Price-to-Sales Rank of 44). Profits, the level of invested capital, and dividend policy suggest that this stock is attractively priced. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 68, is a buy recommendation based on South32's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Since it is on the expensive side for Price-to-Sales, it may mean that South32 has pricing power in its distribution market because it can charge higher prices than its competitors. If this is the case, all four value indicators are positive signals for purchasing South32 shares. 9. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision. ...read more
| VALUE METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | 60 |
|
41 |
|
47 |
|
44 |
|
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 1 |
|
59 |
|
51 |
|
50 |
|
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 68 |
|
47 |
|
58 |
|
66 |
|
| DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
| DIVIDEND YIELD | 64 |
|
78 |
|
73 |
|
77 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 48 |
|
57 |
|
56 |
|
68 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 35 (better than 35% compared with alternatives), South32 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 South32. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 89, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 9% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 45 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 55% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 9 and Stock Returns with a rank of 16 are also low (below 84% of alternative investments). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 35, is a hold 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 South32 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. 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, especially since the growth performance is limited here. ...read more
| GROWTH METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 38 |
|
28 |
|
73 |
|
45 |
|
| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 7 |
|
81 |
|
34 |
|
9 |
|
| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | n/a |
|
59 |
|
68 |
|
89 |
|
| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 84 |
|
83 |
|
19 |
|
16 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 69 |
|
81 |
|
49 |
|
35 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 40 (better than 40% compared with alternatives), the company South32 has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of South32 is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, 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 South32. Leverage is at a rank of 52, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 52% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 52, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 52% 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 41, 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 59% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 40 (worse than 60% compared with alternatives), South32 has a financing structure that is riskier 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 South32. 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. Investors may have a short-term debt challenge with South32 and should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more
| SAFETY METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 64 |
|
66 |
|
54 |
|
52 |
|
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 70 |
|
100 |
|
49 |
|
41 |
|
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 97 |
|
42 |
|
51 |
|
52 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 98 |
|
84 |
|
55 |
|
40 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
| SENTIMENT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
| ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
64 |
|
86 |
|
new |
|
| OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
| OPINIONS CHANGE | n/a |
|
50 |
|
20 |
|
new |
|
| PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
| PRO HOLDINGS | n/a |
|
61 |
|
23 |
|
new |
|
| MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
| MARKET PULSE | n/a |
|
89 |
|
67 |
|
new |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
88 |
|
42 |
|
new |
|
Stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for South32 from April 25, 2024.
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