Yahoo Finance Nordson (NASDAQ:NDSN) Has More To Do To Multiply In Value Going Forward
If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. So, when we ran our eye over Nordson's (NASDAQ:NDSN) trend of ROCE, we liked what we saw.
Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)
For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Nordson:
Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)
0.15 = US$696m ÷ (US$5.2b - US$552m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to January 2024).
Thus, Nordson has an ROCE of 15%. That's a relatively normal return on capital, and it's around the 13% generated by the Machinery industry.
Check out our latest analysis for Nordson
In the above chart we have measured Nordson's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free analyst report for Nordson .
What Does the ROCE Trend For Nordson Tell Us?
While the current returns on capital are decent, they haven't changed much. The company has employed 53% more capital in the last five years, and the returns on that capital have remained stable at 15%. 15% is a pretty standard return, and it provides some comfort knowing that Nordson has consistently earned this amount. Stable returns in this ballpark can be unexciting, but if they can be maintained over the long run, they often provide nice rewards to shareholders.
In Conclusion...
The main thing to remember is that Nordson has proven its ability to continually reinvest at respectable rates of return. Therefore it's no surprise that shareholders have earned a respectable 98% return if they held over the last five years. So while investors seem to be recognizing these promising trends, we still believe the stock deserves further research.
One more thing, we've spotted 1 warning sign facing Nordson that you might find interesting.
While Nordson may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
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.
