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 PetroQuest Energy
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 PetroQuest Energy.
|
Factor |
What We Want to See |
Actual |
Pass or Fail? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5-Year Annual Revenue Growth > 15% | (3.8%) | Fail |
| 1-Year Revenue Growth > 12% | (12.9%) | Fail | |
| Margins | Gross Margin > 35% | 75.5% | Pass |
| Net Margin > 15% | 6.1% | Fail | |
| Balance Sheet | Debt to Equity < 50% | 69.2% | Fail |
| Current Ratio > 1.3 | 1.01 | Fail | |
| Opportunities | Return on Equity > 15% | 4.6% | Fail |
| Valuation | Normalized P/E < 20 | 20.47 | Fail |
| Dividends | Current Yield > 2% | 0% | Fail |
| 5-Year Dividend Growth > 10% | 0% | Fail | |
| Total Score | 1 out of 10 |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Total score = number of passes.
With only one point, PetroQuest Energy isn't leaving investors feeling energetic. But the tiny oil and gas producer actually packs more potential than its score suggests.
Anyone who's looked at stocks that have exposure to natural gas knows just how painful the past few years have been. With prices having fallen from 2008 levels above $10 per thousand cubic feet to the $4 to $5 range, many companies have suffered almost guaranteed losses. Although companies like Southwestern Energy
In fact, PetroQuest's most recent quarterly results show the impact of low gas prices. With higher operating expenses also hitting the bottom line, the company is struggling to stay profitable.
But like bigger competitors SandRidge Energy
Going forward, PetroQuest needs energy prices to move in its favor. If natural gas rebounds, then the company could see recent revenue drops turn around in a big hurry -- and the stock move a lot 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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Finding the perfect stock is only one piece of a successful investment strategy. Get the big picture by taking a look at our " 13 Steps to Investing Foolishly ."
