The Newell Brands (NWL) Dilemma: Understanding the Risks of a Possible Value Trap

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Value-focused investors are always on the hunt for stocks that are priced below their intrinsic value. One such stock that merits attention is Newell Brands Inc (NASDAQ:NWL). The stock, which is currently priced at 9.36, recorded a loss of 5.84% in a day and a 3-month increase of 13.2%. The stock's fair valuation is $17.77, 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:

  • Historical multiples (PE Ratio, PS Ratio, PB Ratio and Price-to-Free-Cash-Flow) that the stock has traded at.

  • GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth.

  • 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.

The Newell Brands (NWL) Dilemma: Understanding the Risks of a Possible Value Trap
The Newell Brands (NWL) Dilemma: Understanding the Risks of a Possible Value Trap

The Risk Factors of Newell Brands

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 Newell Brands should not be ignored. These risks are primarily reflected through its low Altman Z-score of 0.67. These indicators suggest that Newell Brands, despite its apparent undervaluation, might be a potential value trap. This complexity underlines the importance of thorough due diligence in investment decision-making.

Understanding Altman Z-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.

About Newell Brands Inc

In this session, supply a succinct but thorough snapshot of the company's business operations and history, based on the 'Company Data'. Establish a comparison between the stock price and the GF Value, which is an estimation of fair value. This approach will efficiently pave the way for a more profound exploration of the company's value, ingeniously integrating financial assessment with essential company details.

The Newell Brands (NWL) Dilemma: Understanding the Risks of a Possible Value Trap
The Newell Brands (NWL) Dilemma: Understanding the Risks of a Possible Value Trap

Newell Brands's Low Altman Z-Score: A Breakdown of Key Drivers

A dissection of Newell Brands's Altman Z-score reveals Newell Brands's financial health may be weak, suggesting possible financial distress:

Concluding Thoughts

[Write a conclusion why the company is a value trap]

GuruFocus Premium members can find stocks with high Altman Z-Score using the following Screener: Walter Schloss Screen .

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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