Yahoo Finance Four signs of a competitive moat at Hermes International Sca (EPA:RMS)
Given that widespread uncertainty in the stock market is likely to endure for the rest of 2020 and beyond, it pays to know that you're investing in high-quality stocks, rather than speculative ones. This means safe, profitable companies with strong balance sheets.
Most investors would agree that the best quality companies in the stock market often make the best investments as well. They're the ones that seem to be able to make consistently stunning profits over the long term.
What makes these stocks so appealing is their ability to resist competitive threats and generate breathtaking profits. They compound investment returns at consistently above-average rates over the long term.
These stocks are different because they've got what billionaire investor Warren Buffett, calls economic moats. Like medieval castles, their profits are fortified by impregnable business models.
Here's a rundown on what makes these stocks so special - using Hermes International Sca (EPA:RMS), which is active in the Textiles & Apparel industry, as an example...
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Clues to quality
Before we get started on why Hermes International Sca looks like a high quality stock, here are some of the main ways that a company can build a strong moat around itself:
Intangible Assets - Such as brands that customers love, valuable patents or regulatory approvals
Switching Costs - It might be too costly, complicated or unnecessary for customers to look elsewhere
Network Effects - When customers become part of a product it creates tremendously powerful businesses
Cost Advantages - Superior processes and unique locations and assets make it hard for others to compete
Great Scale - Large infrastructure and distribution networks are powerful barriers to entry in many industries
Has Hermes International Sca (EPA:RMS) got a moat?
When it comes to searching for companies with moats, some of the biggest clues actually lie in their financial statements. By looking at a small number of important ratios you can get an idea about the competitive strength and profit power in a business.
Here's what they are and why they are important - and how Hermes International Sca stacks up against them:
High rates of Free Cash Flow - the measure of a thriving company.
- A high ratio of free cash flow to sales can be a very positive sign. For Hermes International Sca, the figure is an impressive 23.4%.High Return on Capital Employed - the measure of a company growing efficiently and profitably.
- A 5-year average ROCE of more than 12 percent is a pointer to strong efficiency. For Hermes International Sca, the figure is an eye-catching 34.2%.High Return on Equity (compared to peers) - the measure of a company making good profits from its assets.
- Hermes International Sca has a 5-year average ROE of 26.4%.High Operating Margins (compared to peers) - the measure of a company with pricing power
- Hermes International Sca has a 5-year average operating margin of 33.7%.
Next steps
Some of the best quality stocks in the market have defensible models that can deliver high levels of shareholder returns over the long term. By analysing some key medium-term profitability and efficiency metrics, it's possible to start tracking them down. On this basis, it certainly appears that Hermes International Sca has some of the financial traits of an economic moat.
To find out more you might want to take a look at the EPA:RMS StockReport from the award-winning research platform, Stockopedia. StockReports contain a goldmine of information in a single page and can help to inform your investment decisions.
To find more stocks like Hermes International Sca, you'll need to equip yourself with professional-grade data and screening tools. This kind of information has traditionally been closely guarded by professional fund managers. But our team of financial analysts have carefully constructed this screen - Stockopedia’s Moats of the FTSE 350 - which gives you everything you need. So why not come and take a look?
