On the stock market since 2013, it operates in the everyday-essentials business. It has 36,000 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Average growth of 10% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
The gap is $1.7B. 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 power and business quality lead the class.
Clearly below the class average.
The price isn’t cheap next to earnings — that’s why this grade sits in the middle.
Sales are growing strongly for its sector.
Clearly below the class average.
Price Momentum: The stock has lagged the market in recent months; investor interest is weak right now.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
angles, checked one by one.
The 3 that stand out are on screen; the rest came back neutral.
The council scores out of 10; report-card grades are out of 100.
Executive Buying: The trades send no strong signal of confidence.
The stock trades 58% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew about 11% a year on average.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 8 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
The average analyst price target is $91.38 — 22% above today’s price.
Buyers haven’t stepped back in yet; the price hasn’t found its footing. Report-card grade: 33/100. For a turnaround signal, the stock first needs to close the gap with the market.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 44/100.
No clear buy-side message is coming from the executive floor. Council score: 3/10.
On our five-subject report card, SFM 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: SFM is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s what that quality should cost.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.
Analysts’ average target sits above today’s price, yet the valuation grade (59/100) says the stock isn’t cheap.