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Yahoo Finance Plus Investing in SunPower (SPWR): Navigating the Thin Line Between Value and Trap
Value-focused investors are always on the hunt for stocks that are priced below their intrinsic value. One such stock that merits attention is SunPower Corp (NASDAQ:SPWR). The stock, which is currently priced at 6.77, recorded a loss of 6.23% in a day and a 3-month decrease of 38.68%. The stock's fair valuation is $32.19, as indicated by its GF Value.
Understanding the GF Value
The GF Value represents the current intrinsic value of a stock derived from our exclusive method. The GF Value Line on our summary page gives an overview of the fair value that the stock should be traded at. It is calculated based on three factors:
1. Historical multiples (PE Ratio, PS Ratio, PB Ratio and Price-to-Free-Cash-Flow) that the stock has traded at.
2. GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth.
3. Future estimates of the business performance.
We believe the GF Value Line is the fair value that the stock should be traded at. The stock price will most likely fluctuate around the GF Value Line. If the stock price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher.
However, investors need to consider a more in-depth analysis before making an investment decision. Despite its seemingly attractive valuation, certain risk factors associated with SunPower should not be ignored. These risks are primarily reflected through its low Altman Z-score of 0.45, and a Beneish M-Score of -1.65 that exceeds -1.78, the threshold for potential earnings manipulation. the company's revenues and earnings have been on a downward trend over the past five years, which raises a crucial question: Is SunPower a hidden gem or a value trap? These indicators suggest that SunPower, despite its apparent undervaluation, might be a potential value trap. This complexity underlines the importance of thorough due diligence in investment decision-making.
Understanding the Altman Z-score and Beneish M-Score
Before delving into the details, let's understand what the Altman Z-score entails. Invented by New York University Professor Edward I. Altman in 1968, the Z-Score is a financial model that predicts the probability of a company entering bankruptcy within a two-year time frame. The Altman Z-Score combines five different financial ratios, each weighted to create a final score. A score below 1.8 suggests a high likelihood of financial distress, while a score above 3 indicates a low risk.
Developed by Professor Messod Beneish, the Beneish M-Score is based on eight financial variables that reflect different aspects of a company's financial performance and position. These are Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), Gross Margin (GM), Total Long-term Assets Less Property, Plant and Equipment over Total Assets (TATA), change in Revenue (?REV), change in Depreciation and Amortization (?DA), change in Selling, General and Admin expenses (?SGA), change in Debt-to-Asset Ratio (?LVG), and Net Income Less Non-Operating Income and Cash Flow from Operations over Total Assets (?NOATA).
Company Introduction
SunPower is a leading solar technology and energy services provider that offers fully integrated solar, storage, and home energy solutions to customers primarily in the United States and Canada. The company's sales channels include a network of both installing and noninstalling dealers and resellers that operate in residential and commercial markets, as well as a group of in-house sales teams in each segment engaged in direct sales to end customers.
SunPower's Low Altman Z-Score: A Breakdown of Key Drivers
A dissection of SunPower's Altman Z-score reveals SunPower's financial health may be weak, suggesting possible financial distress:
The Retained Earnings to Total Assets ratio provides insights into a company's capability to reinvest its profits or manage debt. Evaluating SunPower's historical data, 2021: -1.33; 2022: -1.44; 2023: -1.37, we observe a declining trend in this ratio. This downward movement indicates SunPower's diminishing ability to reinvest in its business or effectively manage its debt. Consequently, it exerts a negative impact on its Z-Score.
The EBIT to Total Assets ratio serves as a crucial barometer of a company's operational effectiveness, correlating earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to total assets. An analysis of SunPower's EBIT to Total Assets ratio from historical data (2021: 0.42; 2022: -0.04; 2023: 0.06) indicates a descending trend. This reduction suggests that SunPower might not be utilizing its assets to their full potential to generate operational profits, which could be negatively affecting the company's overall Z-score.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
