September 21, 2023
Top 10 Stock Spirent 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: Spirent – Top 10 Stock in FTSE 250 Index


spirent.com


Spirent is listed as a top 10 stock on September 21, 2023 in the market index FTSE 250 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 Spirent on September 21, 2023.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country United Kingdom
Industry Communications Equipment
Index FTSE All Shares, FTSE 250, FTSE 350
Size class Medium
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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 Spirent Strong Buy

360 METRICS September 21, 2023
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 87 (better than 87% compared with alternatives) for 2023, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Spirent are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for Spirent. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 93, which means that the share price of Spirent 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 93% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The company is also safely financed with a Safety rank of 85. In addition, professional market sentiment is above average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 55. But the consolidated Growth Rank has a low rank of 23, 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. 77 of its competitors have better growth. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 87, Spirent 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 93), secure financing practices (Safety Rank of 85), and positive market sentiment in the professional investor community (Sentiment Rank of 55). 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 23), 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 Spirent 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 Spirent positive

SENTIMENT METRICS September 21, 2023
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 55 (better than 55% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Spirent is above average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Spirent. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 73 (better than 73% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. In addition, Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 68, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better in recommending investing in the company. In other words, they are getting even more optimistic about investments in Spirent. Finally, the Professional Investors rank is 75, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 75% of alternative investment opportunities. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 55 (more positive than 55% compared with investment alternatives), Spirent has a reputation among professional investors that is above-average compared with that of its competitors. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. But there is also a signal for caution. Market Pulse has a rank of 20, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks tend to be negative when discussing this company (more negative news than for 80% of competitors). This could mean future risks and should make investors careful. Attention to negative news for Spirent is worthwhile because they may be early warning signals. Without those, all other professional signals are encouraging, especially since analysts are getting more optimistic. ...read more



Value Strategy: Spirent Stock Price Value at the top

VALUE METRICS September 21, 2023
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 93 (better than 93% compared with alternatives) for 2023, Spirent shares are significantly less expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators that are all above average for Spirent. Price-to-Sales is 57 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 57% of comparable companies, indicating a good value for Spirent's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits, more favorable than for 87% 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 53. Compared with other companies in the same industry, dividend yields of Spirent are expected to be higher than for 94% of all competitors (a Dividend Yield rank of 94). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 93, is a buy recommendation based on Spirent'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 Spirent based on its detailed value metrics.



Growth Strategy: Spirent Growth Momentum negative

GROWTH METRICS September 21, 2023
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 23 (better than 23% compared with alternatives), Spirent 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 Spirent. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 82, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 31% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 19 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 81% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 31 and Stock Returns with a rank of 15 are also low (below 85% of alternative investments). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 23, 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 Spirent 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: Spirent Debt Financing Safety very solid

SAFETY METRICS September 21, 2023
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 85 (better than 85% compared with alternatives) for 2023, the company Spirent has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Spirent 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 Spirent. Leverage is at a rank of 78, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 78% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 90, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 90% 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 39, 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 61% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 85 (better than 85% compared with alternatives), Spirent has a financing structure that is significantly 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 Spirent. 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: Spirent Top Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE September 21, 2023
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with investment alternatives), Spirent (Communications Equipment, United Kingdom) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Spirent are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 93 (better than 93% of alternatives), are safely financed (Safety Rank of 85, which means low debt burdens), but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 23). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 91, is a strong buy recommendation based on Spirent's financial characteristics. As the company Spirent's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 93) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 23) while being safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 85), it may be a safer investment because companies with low debt can better withstand times of crises. Yet the good value, better than 93% 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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