Most investors would agree that the best quality companies in the stock market often make the best investments as well. I’m talking about some of the most respected names… 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.
In this article I’m going to tell you what makes these stocks so special – and I’m going to use GlaxoSmithKline (LON:GSK) as an example. GlaxoSmithKline is a conservative, large cap in the Pharmaceuticals industry.
Moats are desirable because they often guarantee a sustainable competitive advantage. But there are several ways that companies can get them. For example, they might have:
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 GlaxoSmithKline (LON:GSK) 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 GlaxoSmithKline 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 GlaxoSmithKline, the figure is an impressive 20.1%.
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 GlaxoSmithKline, the figure is an eye-catching 15.4%.
High Return on Equity (compared to peers) – the measure of a company making good profits from its assets.
– GlaxoSmithKline has a 5-year average ROE of 185.4%.
High Operating Margins (compared to peers) – the measure of a company with pricing power
– GlaxoSmithKline has a 5-year average operating margin of 20.7%.
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 Glaxosmithkline has some of the financial traits of an economic moat.
To find out more you might want to take a look at the LON:GSK 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 Glaxosmithkline, 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?
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