On the stock market since 2012, it operates in the everyday-essentials business. It has 13,180 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Average growth of 13% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
The gap is $7.5B. 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.
Profit indicators sit around the sector average.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Sales are growing strongly for its sector.
Clearly below the class average.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
Price Momentum: The stock has lagged the market in recent months; investor interest is weak right now.
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.
R&D Investment: Spending on future research is low.
The stock trades 28% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew about 12% a year on average.
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 137 buys and 75 sells. Management buying with its own money is usually read as a good sign.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 30/100.
Buyers haven’t stepped back in yet; the price hasn’t found its footing. Report-card grade: 37/100. For a turnaround signal, the stock first needs to close the gap with the market.
The share set aside for the future is small; the pace of new ideas may slow. Council score: 2/10.
On our five-subject report card, POST sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: POST 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.