On the stock market since 1985, it operates in the world of raw materials. It has 6,500 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Revenue is spread across several lines; no single product carries the company.
Average growth of 9% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
If every debt were paid off today, $2.0B would still be left in the vault — a solid cushion for hard times.
The stock trades 23% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
The net profit margin is 29% — still a thick cushion, though costs have been eating into it lately.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew about 15% a year on average.
There is $6.7B in the vault; even if every debt were paid off, $2.0B would remain.
Since the drop from its peak, buyer appetite hasn’t come back.
On our five-subject report card, B sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: B is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.