On the stock market since 1972, it operates in the world of heavy industry. It has 73,100 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
The gap is $54.2B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly below the class average.
The price is looking for direction — no strong breakout, no collapse.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
Growth: Sales growth trails the sector average.
angles, checked one by one.
The 2 that stand out are on screen; the rest came back neutral.
The council scores out of 10; report-card grades are out of 100.
Revenue Growth: Sales are growing slowly.
The stock trades near its peak today. For long-term holders the ride has paid off so far — though past performance guarantees nothing about the future.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 8 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 11 buys and 9 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
It pays out $6.48 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
Over the last 3 years, sales fell about 5% a year on average. Profit is holding up, but a shrinking business is a risk worth watching.
The company’s market value is 32 times its annual profit. Even a small disappointment could hit the price hard.
On our five-subject report card, DE sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: DE 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.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.