On the stock market since 1986, it operates in the world of heavy industry. It has 14,500 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.
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.
Clearly below the class average.
The price is looking for direction — no strong breakout, no collapse.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
Growth: Sales growth trails the sector average.
The stock trades 23% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
It pays out $0.56 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
A loss of $14.4M against $3.0B in annual sales. And on top of that, sales fell from the year before.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 37/100.
The growth engine is running at low revs right now. Report-card grade: 46/100.
On our five-subject report card, WERN sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: WERN has solid sales but closed last year at a loss. The road back to profit runs through spending discipline.