January 25, 2024
Top 10 Stock WH Smith 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: WH Smith – Top 10 Stock in FTSE 350 Index
WH Smith 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 enjoys a positive professional investor sentiment, but all financial facts speak against a stock purchase. This is probably an investment into the future. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 50 (high 50% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for WH Smith on January 25, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Industry | Specialty Stores |
| Index | FTSE All Shares, FTSE 250, FTSE 350, Human Rights, Renewables Users, SDG 10, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 4, SDG 8 |
| 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 WH Smith Buy
| 360 METRICS | January 25, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 34 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 41 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 23 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 98 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 50 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 50 (better than 50% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock WH Smith are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for WH Smith. The consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 98, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 98% of alternative investment opportunities. But all other ranks are below average. The consolidated Value Rank has a rank of 34, which means that the share price of WH Smith is on the higher side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. The consolidated Growth Rank also has a low rank of 41, meaning that the company exhibits below-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, invested capital growth, and stock returns. This means that growth is lower than for 41% of competitors in the same industry. Finally, the consolidated Safety Rank has a riskier rank of 23 which means that the company has a riskier financing structure than 77% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 50, WH Smith is better positioned than 50% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As only the professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 98) is above-average, and all other consolidated Obermatt Ranks are below peers, the stock investing proposition case is rather weak. The stock price is expensive for a company of this size in this industry, visible in the below-average Value Rank. Growth is below the competition based on the Growth Rank, and the company has more debt than other companies, according to the Safety Rank. So the question becomes: How important is the Sentiment Rank when all others are below average? When it comes to growth, the low rating might be justified if growth is expected in the future and not yet reflected in current performance. This is often the case for companies with intellectual property, such as technology and pharmaceutical companies. In the early phases, these companies are expensive compared with their size and may have a lot of debt on their books, as is the case here, as seen in the low Value and Safety Ranks. Future growth may be the strongest investment rationale in this case, which is only reflected by institutional investors' opinions. You pay more than the market average for this stock and invest in a rather debt-loaded enterprise, but it may be worth it if the future of WH Smitḥ is bright. A small investment might be justified, but proceed with caution. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for WH Smith very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock WH Smith is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for WH Smith. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 80 (better than 80% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 61, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in WH Smith. The Professional Investors rank is 80, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 80% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 75 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 75% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 98 (more positive than 98% compared with investment alternatives), WH Smith has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean WH Smith stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more
Value Strategy: WH Smith Stock Price Value below-average critical
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 34 (worse than 66% compared with alternatives), WH Smith 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 WH Smith. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 72% 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 WH Smith's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 35 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 65% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 20 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 80% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 34, is a hold recommendation based on WH Smith's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick WH Smith? 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 WH Smith only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: WH Smith Growth Momentum low
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 41 (better than 41% compared with alternatives), WH Smith 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 half of the indicators below and half above average for WH Smith. Sales Growth has a rank of 61, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 61% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 53 is also above average. But Capital Growth has only a rank of 27, and Stock Returns with 42 are also below-average. Stock returns for WH Smith have recently been below 58% of alternative investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 41, is a hold recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Are investors forecasting troubles based on the lack of operating investment activity at the company? This could be one explanation as to why stock returns are low. But stock returns can also be the result of correcting an error in the past, in this case, an overly optimistic outlook on the future, which is now more realistic. The Value Ranks may confirm such a picture. The more important growth indicators are revenues and profits, which are both above average for WH Smith. This is a positive sign from the company's operational side and may give investors courage, despite the poor recent stock price performance. ...read more
Safety Strategy: WH Smith Debt Financing Safety risky
| SAFETY METRICS | January 25, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 15 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 22 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 60 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 23 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 23 (better than 23% compared with alternatives), the company WH Smith 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 WH Smith 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 WH Smith. Liquidity is at 60, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 60% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is riskier at a rank of 22, 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 78% of its competitors. Leverage is also high at a rank of 15, which means that the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 85% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 23 (worse than 77% compared with alternatives), WH Smith has a financing structure that is significantly riskier than that of its competitors. High Leverage (a low Obermatt Leverage Rank) is good in good times, because it usually indicates that shareholders get higher returns. The good Liquidity performance of the company is an indicator that this is the case. However, if you expect an economic downturn, you may stay clear of this stock because they have an above-average debt level that needs refinancing soon. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: WH Smith Lowest Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | January 25, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 34 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 41 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 60 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 6 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 6 (worse than 94% compared with investment alternatives), WH Smith (Specialty Stores, United Kingdom) shares have lower financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of WH Smith are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 34 (worse than 66% of alternatives), show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 41), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 23), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 6, is a sell recommendation based on WH Smith's financial characteristics. As the company WH Smith's key financial metrics all exhibit below-average performance, such as low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 34), low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 41), and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 23), it is a somewhat questionable stock investment, where the risk of paying too much for the shares is significant, unless the company has an exceptionally bright future. Such poor financial performance sometimes indicates that the company's business is all concentrated in some distant future. This is sometimes the case for high-tech or biotechnology companies. If they own properties that only provide cash flows in the future, the stock may look excessively expensive and risky today. In such cases, the Obermatt Method has limited value as it is based on facts we can observe today. If the facts are all in the future, stock investing becomes guesswork, and this should only be a driver in a limited number of investments that should only amount to a small fraction of a safe portfolio. ...read more
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