On the stock market since 1996, it operates in the world of heavy industry. It has 475 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Average growth of 25% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
The gap is $2.7B. 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.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly below the class average.
Sales are growing strongly for its sector.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Valuation: The stock trades at a price that looks expensive next to its earnings; that can cap future returns.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
angles, checked one by one.
The 2 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 18% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
The net profit margin is 17% — still a thick cushion, though costs have been eating into it lately.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew about 29% a year on average.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 6 of the last 7 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
The company’s market value is 41 times its annual profit. Even a small disappointment could hit the price hard.
Over the last 12 months, executives reported 121 sells against just 26 buys. Not an alarm bell by itself, but a number worth watching.
On our five-subject report card, WLFC sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: WLFC is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.