On the stock market since 1992, it operates in the world of heavy industry. It has 17,000 employees. Now — the numbers.
The company closed last year at a loss: costs ran above sales. The picture changes only if spending is reined in.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
Before the clock runs out, either sales must climb sharply or new money must come in. For now, time is on the company’s side.
Executives buying with their own money is usually read as confidence in the company’s future.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Clearly below the class average.
A solid grade overall — yet the debt outweighs the cash. The strength here comes from earnings power.
The price isn’t cheap next to earnings — that’s why this grade sits in the middle.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Growth: Sales growth trails the sector average.
Business Quality: Profit power and business quality trail similar companies in the sector.
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.
The company sells $2.4B a year; the problem isn’t sales — it’s costs running above that number.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 7 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 130 buys and 114 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
A loss of $71.7M against $2.4B in annual sales.
The growth engine is running at low revs right now. Report-card grade: 39/100.
Measured against its sector, the quality of the business sits below the class average. Report-card grade: 48/100.
On our five-subject report card, LFUS sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: LFUS has solid sales but closed last year at a loss. The road back to profit runs through spending discipline.