Bet On These 6 Stocks With Solid Net Profit Margin

Investors eye businesses that report profits on a regular basis. In order to gauge the extent of profit, there is no better metric than net profit margin.

A higher net margin reflects a company’s efficiency in converting sales into actual profit. Moreover, this metric lends an insight into how well a company is run and the headwinds confronting it.

Net Profit Margin = Net profit/Sales * 100.

In simple terms, net profit is the amount a company retains after deducting all costs, interest, depreciation, taxes and other expenses. In fact, net profit margin can turn out to be a potent point of reference to gauge the strength in a company operations and cost-control measures.

Also, higher net profit is essential for rewarding stakeholders. Further, strength in the metric not only attracts investors but also draws well-skilled employees that eventually add to the value of the business.

Moreover, a higher net profit margin compared to its peers lends the company a competitive edge.

Pros and Cons

Net profit margin helps investors gain clarity on a company’s business model in terms of pricing policy, cost structure and manufacturing efficiency. Hence, a strong net profit margin is preferred by all classes of investors.

However, net profit margin as an investment criterion has its own share of pitfalls. The metric varies widely from industry to industry. While net income is a key metric for investment measurement in traditional industries, it is not that important for technology companies.

Moreover, the difference in accounting treatment of various items — especially non-cash expenses like depreciation and stock-based compensation — makes comparison a daunting task.

Further, for companies preferring to grow with debt instead of equity funding, higher interest expenses usually weigh on net profit. In such cases, the measure is rendered ineffective to analyze a company’s performance.

The Winning Strategy

A healthy net profit margin and solid EPS growth are the two most sought-after elements in a business model.

Apart from these, we have added a few criteria to ensure maximum returns from this strategy.

Screening Parameters

Net Margin 12 months – Most Recent (%) greater than equal to 0: High net profit margin indicates solid profitability.

Percentage Change in EPS F(0)/(F-1) greater than equal to 0: It indicates earnings growth.

Average Broker Rating (1-5) equal to 1: A rating of #1 indicates brokers’ extreme bullishness on the stock.

Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2: Stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) generally perform better than their peers in all types of market environment.

VGM Score of A or B: Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 offer the best upside potential.

Here are six of the 28 stocks that qualified the screen:

Camp Hill, PA-based Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) is a provider of industrial services and engineered products serving global industries that are fundamental to worldwide economic growth and infrastructure development. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings has increased 22.2% to $1.10 per share in the last 30 days. The stock has a Zacks Rank #1 and a VGM Score of A. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Singapore based Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:KLIC) is a leading provider of semiconductor packaging and electronic assembly solutions supporting the global automotive, consumer, communications, computing and industrial segments. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a VGM Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings has remained steady at $2.23 per share in the last 30 days.

St. Louis, MO-based Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST) is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded ready-to-eat cereals in the United States and Canada. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a VGM Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings has remained steady at $4.52 per share in the last 30 days.

Headquartered in Racine, WI, Modine Manufacturing Company (NYSE:MOD) is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of thermal management systems and components for several end markets. The stock has a Zacks Rank #1 and a VGM Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2018 earnings has remained steady at $1.50, over the last 30 days.

Chicago-based SP Plus Corporation (NASDAQ:SP) provides professional parking, ground transportation, facility maintenance, security, and event logistics services to property owners and managers in the real estate industry. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has a VGM Score of A. Further, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings has increased 18.8% to $2.21 over the last 30 days.

France-based Arkema SA (OTC:ARKAY) is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of vinyl, industrial chemicals and performance products. The stock has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of A. Moreover, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings has increased 10.2% to $11.44 in the last 30 days.

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Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks' portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.

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