Yahoo Finance Here's Why We Think Artisan Partners Asset Management (NYSE:APAM) Is Well Worth Watching
Like a puppy chasing its tail, some new investors often chase 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without revenue, let alone profit. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.'
In the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, my choice may seem old fashioned; I still prefer profitable companies like Artisan Partners Asset Management (NYSE:APAM). While profit is not necessarily a social good, it's easy to admire a business that can consistently produce it. Conversely, a loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the sweet milk of external capital may run sour.
Check out our latest analysis for Artisan Partners Asset Management
How Fast Is Artisan Partners Asset Management Growing?
If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price will eventually follow. That makes EPS growth an attractive quality for any company. I, for one, am blown away by the fact that Artisan Partners Asset Management has grown EPS by 49% per year, over the last three years. Growth that fast may well be fleeting, but like a lotus blooming from a murky pond, it sparks joy for the wary stock pickers.
I like to see top-line growth as an indication that growth is sustainable, and I look for a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin to point to a competitive moat (though some companies with low margins also have moats). Artisan Partners Asset Management shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 37% to 43%, and revenue is growing. That's great to see, on both counts.
The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. For finer detail, click on the image.
In investing, as in life, the future matters more than the past. So why not check out this free interactive visualization of Artisan Partners Asset Management's forecast profits?
Are Artisan Partners Asset Management Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?
Like standing at the lookout, surveying the horizon at sunrise, insider buying, for some investors, sparks joy. That's because insider buying often indicates that those closest to the company have confidence that the share price will perform well. However, small purchases are not always indicative of conviction, and insiders don't always get it right.
Even though there was some insider selling over the last year, that was outweighed by Independent Director Tench Coxe's huge outlay of US$5.0m, spent buying shares. The average price paid was about US$51.06. Big purchases like that are well worth noting, especially for those who like to follow the insider money.
Along with the insider buying, another encouraging sign for Artisan Partners Asset Management is that insiders, as a group, have a considerable shareholding. Notably, they have an enormous stake in the company, worth US$144m. I would find that kind of skin in the game quite encouraging, if I owned shares, since it would ensure that the leaders of the company would also experience my success, or failure, with the stock.
Does Artisan Partners Asset Management Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?
Artisan Partners Asset Management's earnings have taken off like any random crypto-currency did, back in 2017. The cherry on top is that insiders own a bunch of shares, and one has been buying more. This quick rundown suggests that the business may be of good quality, and also at an inflection point, so maybe Artisan Partners Asset Management deserves timely attention. It's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Artisan Partners Asset Management , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.
The good news is that Artisan Partners Asset Management is not the only growth stock with insider buying. Here's a list of them... with insider buying in the last three months!
Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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