Every investor would love to stumble upon the perfect stock. But will you ever really find a stock that provides everything you could possibly want?
One thing's for sure: You'll never discover truly great investments unless you actively look for them. Let's discuss the ideal qualities of a perfect stock, then decide if Krispy Kreme
The quest for perfection
Stocks that look great based on one factor may prove horrible elsewhere, making due diligence a crucial part of your investing research. The best stocks excel in many different areas, including these important factors:
- Growth. Expanding businesses show healthy revenue growth. While past growth is no guarantee that revenue will keep rising, it's certainly a better sign than a stagnant top line.
- Margins. Higher sales mean nothing if a company can't produce profits from them. Strong margins ensure that company can turn revenue into profit.
- Balance sheet. At debt-laden companies, banks and bondholders compete with shareholders for management's attention. Companies with strong balance sheets don't have to worry about the distraction of debt.
- Money-making opportunities. Return on equity helps measure how well a company is finding opportunities to turn its resources into profitable business endeavors.
- Valuation. You can't afford to pay too much for even the best companies. By using normalized figures, you can see how a stock's simple earnings multiple fits into a longer-term context.
- Dividends. For tangible proof of profits, a check to shareholders every three months can't be beat. Companies with solid dividends and strong commitments to increasing payouts treat shareholders well.
With those factors in mind, let's take a closer look at Krispy Kreme.
|
Factor |
What We Want to See |
Actual |
Pass or Fail? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5-Year Annual Revenue Growth > 15% | (2.1%) | Fail |
| 1-Year Revenue Growth > 12% | 8.7% | Fail | |
| Margins | Gross Margin > 35% | 14.5% | Fail |
| Net Margin > 15% | 40.1% | Pass | |
| Balance Sheet | Debt to Equity < 50% | 10.9% | Pass |
| Current Ratio > 1.3 | 2.77 | Pass | |
| Opportunities | Return on Equity > 15% | 97.7% | Pass |
| Valuation | Normalized P/E < 20 | 29.25 | Fail |
| Dividends | Current Yield > 2% | 0% | Fail |
| 5-Year Dividend Growth > 10% | 0% | Fail | |
| Total Score | 4 out of 10 |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Total score = number of passes.
Since we looked at Krispy Kreme last year, the company has actually picked up a point. But the gain came from a tax benefit that inflated net margins, and investors haven't seen any reward from their shares, which are down about 20% over the past year.
Krispy Kreme is one example of a phenomenon that has happened all too often to companies: After seeing a huge growth spurt, the donut retailer got ahead of itself, expanding too fast and getting buried by an avalanche of debt. For years, the company has dug itself out from its mistakes slowly but surely, and even as competition from Dunkin' Brands
But investors have gotten impatient for a faster recovery. Back in March, Krispy Kreme stock dropped by 10% even after the company announced a solid earnings report, with profit projections for fiscal 2013 that met or exceeded analyst expectations. As much as shareholders would like to see Krispy Kreme return to its fast-growth days, the reality is that small gains like this will be what brings the donut-seller back in the long run.
Even incremental gains don't come easy. Krispy Kreme is seeking to emulate Dunkin' by boosting its coffee offerings, but already, Starbucks
For Krispy Kreme to keep improving, it needs to find a workable growth strategy that will bring back customers who backed away from the company after the donut craze ran its course. That's possible, but it may take a while before Krispy Kreme finds the magic answer to shine up its business once again.
Keep searching
No stock is a sure thing, but some stocks are a lot closer to perfect than others. By looking for the perfect stock, you'll go a long way toward improving your investing prowess and learning how to separate out the best investments from the rest.
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