On the stock market since 1989, it operates in the world of heavy industry. It has 8,700 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Revenue is spread across several lines; no single product carries the company.
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 above the class average — a step short of the very top.
A solid grade overall — yet the debt outweighs the cash. The strength here comes from earnings power.
Clearly below the class average.
There is growth, but not at top-of-the-class tempo.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Valuation: The stock trades at a price that looks expensive next to its earnings; that can cap future returns.
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 25 buys and 7 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
It pays out $2.88 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew only 3% a year on average. At this size, speeding back up is not easy.
The company’s market value is 36 times its annual profit. Even a small disappointment could hit the price hard.
On our five-subject report card, IEX sits near the top of the class. A high grade doesn’t mean “guaranteed win” — it means “the evidence looks strong for now.”
The takeaway: IEX 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.