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 RealD
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 RealD.
|
Factor |
What We Want to See |
Actual |
Pass or Fail? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5-Year Annual Revenue Growth > 15% | 44.9% | Pass |
| 1-Year Revenue Growth > 12% | 5.8% | Fail | |
| Margins | Gross Margin > 35% | 53.5% | Pass |
| Net Margin > 15% | 11.9% | Fail | |
| Balance Sheet | Debt to Equity < 50% | 12.2% | Pass |
| Current Ratio > 1.3 | 2.21 | Pass | |
| Opportunities | Return on Equity > 15% | 16.9% | Pass |
| Valuation | Normalized P/E < 20 | 21.04 | 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 RealD last year, the company has picked up a point. Yet despite turning profitable, the stock has dropped 20% in the past year as the latest 3-D fad has once again failed to gain as much traction as many investors had hoped.
RealD sought to cash in on the demand for higher-powered movie theater experiences. Just as IMAX
Yet RealD's hopes haven't really panned out. Despite adding thousands of screens over the past year, RealD's revenue hasn't followed suit. Dolby Labs
In its most recent quarter, RealD just added to fears that investors already had. Earnings per share came in at only a third of what analysts had expected, as rising product costs due in part to shipping less recycled 3-D eyewear took their toll on the bottom line. Although some had expected that Disney's
For RealD to improve, it desperately needs movie studios to grab onto 3-D as a lasting new standard rather than just a passing fad. Unless the industry plays along, RealD may never get much closer to 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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