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 iRobot
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 iRobot.
|
Factor |
What We Want to See |
Actual |
Pass or Fail? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5-Year Annual Revenue Growth > 15% | 19.2% | Pass |
| 1-Year Revenue Growth > 12% | 10.8% | Fail | |
| Margins | Gross Margin > 35% | 40% | Pass |
| Net Margin > 15% | 7.3% | Fail | |
| Balance Sheet | Debt to Equity < 50% | 0% | Pass |
| Current Ratio > 1.3 | 3.62 | Pass | |
| Opportunities | Return on Equity > 15% | 15.2% | Pass |
| Valuation | Normalized P/E < 20 | 20.62 | Fail |
| Dividends | Current Yield > 2% | 0% | Fail |
| 5-Year Dividend Growth > 10% | 0% | Fail | |
| Total Score | 5 out of 10 |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Total score = number of passes.
Since we looked at iRobot last year, the company has dropped a point. Slowing revenue growth is to blame for the loss, and it has certainly played a big role in the stock's plunge of more than 45% in the past year.
iRobot has a fascinating combination of businesses. Its Roomba vacuum automatically takes care of your carpets, and its new Scooba makes your floors sparkling clean. But its defense business builds robots that can do much more heavy-duty cleanup, disarming explosive devices and removing radioactive debris. Progress Energy, since taken over by Duke Energy
But because defense plays a big role in the company's revenue, with both direct revenue from defense contracts as well as work as a subcontractor to Boeing
Still, iRobot is nearing the point at which defense cuts wouldn't have as huge an impact. With just a third of iRobot's revenue coming from defense contracts, the company certainly has less exposure than Lockheed Martin
For iRobot to improve, it needs to keep diversifying its product line to avoid becoming too dependent on any one area, particularly defense. If it can succeed in making its robots more mainstream, then iRobot might not have to wait long to start approaching perfection.
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 the best investments from the rest.
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