On the stock market since 2000, it operates in the everyday-essentials business. It has 6,700 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
The biggest line carries real weight, but it doesn’t decide everything on its own.
No real growth (2% a year).
The gap is $1.3B. 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 below the class average.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly below the class average.
The stock has been running stronger than the market lately.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
Growth: Sales growth trails the sector average.
The stock trades 45% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
It pays out $0.60 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew only 1% a year on average. At this size, speeding back up is not easy.
The company’s market value is 52 times its annual profit. Even a small disappointment could hit the price hard.
On our five-subject report card, EPC sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: EPC 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.