January 25, 2024
Top 10 Stock United Utilities Hold 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: United Utilities – Top 10 Stock in FTSE 350 Index
United Utilities is listed as a top 10 stock on January 25, 2024 in the market index FTSE 350 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Only one consolidated Obermatt Rank is above-average. The company is growing above average, but all other facts speak against a stock purchase, especially the low market sentiment by professional investors. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 26 (26% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall hold recommendation for United Utilities on January 25, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Industry | Water Utilities |
| Index | FTSE All Shares, FTSE 100, FTSE 350, Low Emissions, Employee Focus EU, Renewables Users, Water Tech |
| 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 United Utilities Hold
| 360 METRICS | January 25, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 22 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 97 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 7 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 22 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 26 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 26 (better than 26% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock United Utilities are below the industry average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for United Utilities. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 97, 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. It ranks higher than 97% of competitors in the same industry. The other indicators are below average, namely the Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks.The Value Rank at 22 means that the share price of United Utilities is on the high side compared with its peers regarding revenues, profits, and invested capital. The stock price is higher than for 78% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank has a riskier rank of 7, which means that the company has a riskier financing structure than 93% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. The consolidated Sentiment Rank also has a low rank of 22, indicating professional investors are more pessimistic about the stock than for 78% of alternative investment opportunities. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 26, United Utilities is worse than 74% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As only one of the consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibits excellent performance, namely the above-average growth (Growth Rank of 97), it is a riskier stock investment proposition. Aside from the critical professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 22), the company is rather risky when it comes to financing (Safety Rank of 7). The negative market view on United Utilities may be due to the high stock price (low value). A growth company like this may get too expensive at one point in time. If too many investors are desperate to join the party, they may drive stock prices above reasonable levels. While it is typical for growth companies to have low value, because investors are willing to pay more for companies that are expected to have high growth, the crucial question is: how much more do you pay for the stock of United Utilities compared with alternatives? You can use the following rule of thumb: The value rank shouldn’t be lower than one minus the growth rank. For example, if the growth rank is at 75, and the value rank is at 5, you should tread carefully. If the value rank is at 40, it still might be a good value (even though it is lower than 50). As market sentiment is critical, you should be careful with paying more than market-average for this stock and conduct further research into the company's future growth potential. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for United Utilities negative
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 22 (better than 22% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock United Utilities is critical, mostly below average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for United Utilities. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 47 (worse than 53% 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 30 which means that stock research experts are getting even more pessimistic. It doesn't end with the analysts. Market Pulse is also low with a rank of 37, 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 63% of competitors). No wonder, the Professional Investors rank is only 38, which means that professional investors hold less stock in this company than in 62% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to stay away from United Utilities, which may be due to a small company size but just as likely because of its relatively low Sentiment Rank. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 22 (less encouraging than 78% compared with investment alternatives), United Utilities has a reputation among professional investors that is far below that of its competitors. Investors should be careful with this stock right now. Further research is required if an investment is desired, because the facts found in the professional community are all negative. ...read more
Value Strategy: United Utilities Stock Price Value low
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 22 (worse than 78% compared with alternatives), United Utilities shares are significantly more expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for United Utilities. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 67% 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 24 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 76% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning United Utilities's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 24 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 76% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 9 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 91% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 22, is a sell recommendation based on United Utilities's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick United Utilities? 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 United Utilities only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: United Utilities Growth Momentum high
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 97 (better than 97% compared with alternatives) for 2024, United Utilities 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 but one indicator above average for United Utilities. Sales Growth has a rank of 73 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 73% of its competitors. Both Profit Growth, with a rank of 98, and Stock Returns, with a rank of 61, are also above average. But Capital Growth only has a rank of 41, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 59% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 97, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. That may be a good sign if the company is already well positioned and doesn't require more investments at this time. They may focus on growing the top (revenues) and bottom (profits) lines, recently rewarded with above-average stock returns for shareholders. But it may also be a sign of danger as the company is falling back with capital investment activities concerning competition. This requires further analysis of corporate communications. ...read more
Safety Strategy: United Utilities Debt Financing Safety risky
| SAFETY METRICS | January 25, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 4 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 51 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 15 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 7 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 7 (better than 7% compared with alternatives), the company United Utilities has much riskier financing practices than comparable other companies, which means that their overall debt burden is significantly above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of United Utilities 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 just one indicator above average for United Utilities and the other two below average. Refinancing is at 51, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 51% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 4, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 96% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 15, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 85% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 7 (worse than 93% compared with alternatives), United Utilities has a financing structure that is significantly riskier 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 United Utilities 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: United Utilities Below-Average Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | January 25, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 22 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 97 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 15 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 37 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 37 (worse than 63% compared with investment alternatives), United Utilities (Water Utilities, United Kingdom) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of United Utilities are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 22 (worse than 78% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 7, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 97). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 37, is a hold recommendation based on United Utilities's financial characteristics. As the company United Utilities shows low value with an Obermatt Value Rank of 22 (78% of comparable investments are less expensive), investors should look at the other ranks. In this case, growth is expected to be above-average, better than 97% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 97). This is a typical case. Companies with above average growth tend to cost more than stocks with slower growth expectations. If this is a high-growth company, the low Obermatt Safety Rank of 7 is a good sign. The more debt a well-performing company has, the higher the returns to shareholders. However, if growth turns negative or interest rates increase, high debt may become a burden. If you believe the future is bright for United Utilities, even a low-value company (in terms of its key financial indicators) can be a good investment. ...read more
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