March 7, 2024
Top 10 Stock Stantec 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: Stantec – Top 10 Stock in Toronto Stock Exchange Index TSX Composite


stantec.com


Stantec is listed as a top 10 stock on March 07, 2024 in the market index TSX Composite because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Three consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. Only the Value Rank is below average. The investment rationale may be an investment in future growth, supported by professional market opinion. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 97 (top 97% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Stantec on March 07, 2024.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country Canada
Industry Construction & Engineering
Index Water Tech, TSX Composite
Size class Large
Latest Research


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 Stantec Strong Buy

360 METRICS March 7, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 97 (better than 97% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Stantec are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Stantec. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 91, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth, as well as stock returns. This means that growth is higher than for 91% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank at 70 means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than 70% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. Finally, the consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 54, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 54% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank is less desirable at 44, meaning that the share price of Stantec is on the higher side compared with indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 56% of alternative stocks in the same industry. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 97, Stantec is better positioned than 97% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as above-average growth (Growth Rank of 91), a safe financing structure (Safety Rank of 70), and positive professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 54), it is a solid stock investment where growth may be the strongest driver of the investment rationale, also reflected by institutional investors. It is typical for growth companies to have low value, as is the case here. Investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much more do you pay for the stock of Stantec compared with alternatives? You can use the following rule of thumb: The growth rank measures the growth momentum of the company (91% better than peers). The value rank could be the reverse reflection of that (9%). A Value Rank below that level may be assessed as expensive, a rank above that is still good value. Sometimes market sentiment just reflects the past, sometimes the reality. You pay more than the market average for this stock, but it may be worth it. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Stantec positive

SENTIMENT METRICS March 7, 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 54 (better than 54% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Stantec is above average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for Stantec. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 28 (worse than 72% 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 20, which means that stock research experts are getting even more pessimistic. Other sentiment indicators are positive: The Professional Investors rank is 77, which means that professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 77% of alternative investment opportunities. So, pros tend to favor investing in this company. In addition, Market Pulse has a rank of 93, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks tend to be positive when discussing this company (more positive news than for 93% of competitors). While stock research analysts are getting ever more critical, many professional investors are committed to Stantec and the professional news channels are on the positive side. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 54 (more positive than 54% compared with investment alternatives), Stantec has a reputation among professional investors that is above-average compared with that of its competitors. This is an ambiguous picture: analysts are negative and getting even more critical, while the news in the market is positive. Who should investors believe? This is a difficult question in such a situation. Investors should proceed cautiously and verify not only the financial performance in the Obermatt Value, Growth and Safety Ranks but also independent news coverage of the company. ...read more



Value Strategy: Stantec Stock Price Value below-average critical

VALUE METRICS March 7, 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 44 (worse than 56% compared with alternatives), Stantec shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Stantec. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 77% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 29 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 71% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Stantec's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 34 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 66% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 28 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 72% of comparable investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 44, is a hold recommendation based on Stantec's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Stantec? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Stantec only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more



Growth Strategy: Stantec Growth Momentum high

GROWTH METRICS March 7, 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 91 (better than 91% compared with alternatives) for 2024, Stantec shows one of the highest growth dynamics in its industry. Investors also speak of high momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all four indicators above average for Stantec. Sales Growth has a value of 71, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 71% of its competitors. The same is valid for Profit Growth with a value of 61 and for Capital Growth with 86. In addition, Stock Returns had an above-average rank value of 75, which means they have been higher than 75% of comparable investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 91, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Since all Growth Ranks are positive, Stantec exhibits above-average growth momentum. This could be due to a uniquely strong market position, proprietary technology, or an extensive corporate acquisition strategy. Growth investors will find this an attractive investment opportunity, unless they expect that the current phase is transitory and will deteriorate in the future. The current performance could also be a temporary recovery from a very low point, such as a turn-around situation. In the case of a turn-around, the current performance may or may not be followed by a continuing positive development. ...read more



Safety Strategy: Stantec Debt Financing Safety above-average

SAFETY METRICS March 7, 2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 70 (better than 70% compared with alternatives), the company Stantec 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 Stantec 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 Stantec. 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 67, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 67% 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 30, 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 70% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 70 (better than 70% compared with alternatives), Stantec has a financing structure that is 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 Stantec. 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: Stantec Top Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE March 7, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 94 (better than 94% compared with investment alternatives), Stantec (Construction & Engineering, Canada) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Stantec are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 44 (worse than 56% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 91) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 70, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 94, is a strong buy recommendation based on Stantec's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Stantec exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 44), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 91). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 70) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). ...read more

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