Fact based stock research
United Utilities (LSE:UU.)
GB00B39J2M42
How to read the free 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.
United Utilities stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 40 (worse than 60% 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 25 (worse than 75% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 16, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 100). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 40, 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 25 (75% 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 100% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 100). 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 16 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. 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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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 |
This stock has achievements: Top 10 Stock.
10-Oct-2024. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.
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Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.
Research History: United Utilities
RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VALUE | ||||||||
VALUE | 48 |
|
39 |
|
18 |
|
25 |
|
GROWTH | ||||||||
GROWTH | 28 |
|
19 |
|
95 |
|
100 |
|
SAFETY | ||||||||
SAFETY | 12 |
|
18 |
|
9 |
|
16 |
|
SENTIMENT | ||||||||
SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
43 |
|
48 |
|
new | |
360° VIEW | ||||||||
360° VIEW | n/a |
|
13 |
|
36 |
|
new |
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 40 (worse than 60% 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 25 (worse than 75% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 16, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 100). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 40, 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 25 (75% 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 100% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 100). 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 16 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. 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 |
|
39 |
|
18 |
|
25 |
|
GROWTH | ||||||||
GROWTH | 28 |
|
19 |
|
95 |
|
100 |
|
SAFETY | ||||||||
SAFETY | 12 |
|
18 |
|
9 |
|
16 |
|
COMBINED | ||||||||
COMBINED | 8 |
|
6 |
|
28 |
|
40 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 25 (worse than 75% compared with alternatives), United Utilities 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 United Utilities. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 69% 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 23 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 77% 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 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 5 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 95% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 25, is a hold 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. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision, which is essential in this case, as the financial indicators are inconclusive. ...read more
VALUE METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | ||||||||
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | 26 |
|
31 |
|
19 |
|
23 |
|
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 56 |
|
34 |
|
20 |
|
34 |
|
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 35 |
|
34 |
|
7 |
|
5 |
|
DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
DIVIDEND YIELD | 72 |
|
65 |
|
60 |
|
69 |
|
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 48 |
|
39 |
|
18 |
|
25 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 100 (better than 100% 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 four indicators above average for United Utilities. Sales Growth has a value of 87, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 87% of its competitors. The same is valid for Profit Growth with a value of 88 and for Capital Growth with 87. In addition, Stock Returns had an above-average rank value of 53, which means they have been higher than 53% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 100, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Since all Growth Ranks are positive, United Utilities 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. 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. ...read more
GROWTH METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
REVENUE GROWTH | 24 |
|
23 |
|
70 |
|
87 |
|
PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
PROFIT GROWTH | 44 |
|
17 |
|
98 |
|
88 |
|
CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
CAPITAL GROWTH | n/a |
|
37 |
|
47 |
|
87 |
|
STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
STOCK RETURNS | 58 |
|
63 |
|
69 |
|
53 |
|
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 28 |
|
19 |
|
95 |
|
100 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 16 (better than 16% 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 67, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 67% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 1, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 99% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 20, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 80% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 16 (worse than 84% 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. In the long-term, investors may have a debt challenge with United Utilities 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 | 19 |
|
12 |
|
4 |
|
1 |
|
REFINANCING | ||||||||
REFINANCING | 26 |
|
37 |
|
53 |
|
67 |
|
LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
LIQUIDITY | 20 |
|
43 |
|
15 |
|
20 |
|
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 12 |
|
18 |
|
9 |
|
16 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
SENTIMENT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
42 |
|
45 |
|
new | |
OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
OPINIONS CHANGE | n/a |
|
61 |
|
58 |
|
new | |
PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
PRO HOLDINGS | n/a |
|
73 |
|
66 |
|
new | |
MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
MARKET PULSE | n/a |
|
14 |
|
39 |
|
new | |
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
43 |
|
48 |
|
new |
Free stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for United Utilities from October 10, 2024.
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