On the stock market since 1998, it operates in the world of energy. It has 3,900 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
No real growth (1% a year).
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.
The price looks reasonable next to what the company earns.
There is growth, but not at top-of-the-class tempo.
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.
Business Quality: Profit power and business quality trail similar companies in the sector.
angles, checked one by one.
The 4 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.
Over the last 12 months, company executives reported 32 buys and 29 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
It pays out $1.60 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
Over the last 3 years, sales fell about 8% a year on average. Profit is holding up, but a shrinking business is a risk worth watching.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 30/100.
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, PAA 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: PAA is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate here isn’t the price — it’s whether the company can keep up this pace.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.