China Maple Leaf Educational Systems (STU:CML1) Piotroski F-Score Explanation
The developer of the system is Joseph D. Piotroski is relatively unknown accounting professor who shuns publicity and rarely gives interviews.
He graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in accounting in 1989, received an M.B.A. from Indiana University in 1994. Five years later, in 1999, after earning a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Michigan, he became an associate professor of accounting at the University of Chicago.
He wanted to see if he can develop a system (using a simple nine-point scoring system) that can increase the returns of a strategy of investing in low price to book (referred to in the paper as high book to market) value companies.
What he found was something that exceeded his most optimistic expectations.
Buying only those companies that scored highest (8 or 9) on his nine-point scale, or F-Score as he called it, over the 20 year period from 1976 to 1996 led to an average out-performance over the market of 13.4%.
Even more impressive were the results of a strategy of investing in the highest F-Score companies (8 or 9) and shorting companies with the lowest F-Score (0 or 1).
Over the same period from 1976 to 1996 (20 years) this strategy led to an average yearly return of 23%, substantially outperforming the average S&P 500 index return of 15.83% over the same period.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems Piotroski F-Score Related Terms
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems Piotroski F-Score Historical Data
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems Piotroski F-Score Chart
STU:CML1 vs EDU, TAL, GHC: Piotroski F-Score Comparison
For the Education & Training Services subindustry, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's Piotroski F-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Piotroski F-Score data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems Piotroski F-Score vs Education Industry
For the Education industry and Consumer Defensive sector, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's Piotroski F-Score distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's Piotroski F-Score falls into.
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
*Note: If the latest quarterly/semi-annual/annual total assets data is 0, then we will use previous quarterly/semi-annual/annual data for all the items in the balance sheet.
Profitability
Question 1. Return on Assets (ROA)
Net income before extraordinary items for the year divided by Total Assets at the beginning of the year.
Score 1 if positive, 0 if negative.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's current Net Income (TTM) was 37.0.
==> Positive ==> Score 1.
Question 2. Cash Flow Return on Assets (CFROA)
Net cash flow from operating activities (operating cash flow) divided by Total Assets at the beginning of the year.
Score 1 if positive, 0 if negative.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's current Cash Flow from Operations (TTM) was 40.2.
==> Positive ==> Score 1.
Question 3. Change in Return on Assets
Compare this year's return on assets (1) to last year's return on assets.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's return on assets of this year was 0.04700386. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's return on assets of last year was 0.00250436.
==> This year is higher. ==> Score 1.
Question 4. Quality of Earnings (Accrual)
Compare Cash flow return on assets (2) to return on assets (1)
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's gearing of this year was 0.21904893. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's gearing of last year was 0.25727082.
==> This year is lower or equal to last year. ==> Score 1.
Question 6. Change in Working Capital (Liquidity)
Compare this year's current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) to last year's current ratio.
Score 1 if this year's current ratio is higher, 0 if it's lower
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's current ratio of this year was 0.70412601. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's current ratio of last year was 0.60788839.
==> This year's current ratio is higher. ==> Score 1.
Question 7. Change in Shares in Issue
Compare the number of shares in issue this year, to the number in issue last year.
Score 0 if there is larger number of shares in issue this year, 1 otherwise.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's number of shares in issue this year was 2931.841. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's number of shares in issue last year was 2971.011.
==> There is smaller number of shares in issue this year, or the same. ==> Score 1.
Efficiency
Question 8. Change in Gross Margin
Compare this year's gross margin (Gross Profit divided by sales) to last year's.
Score 1 if this year's gross margin is higher, 0 if it's lower.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's gross margin of this year was 0.49476373. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's gross margin of last year was 0.48270244.
==> This year's gross margin is higher. ==> Score 1.
Question 9. Change in asset turnover
Compare this year's asset turnover (total sales for the year divided by total assets at the beginning of the year) to last year's asset turnover ratio.
Score 1 if this year's asset turnover ratio is higher, 0 if it's lower
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's asset turnover of this year was 0.17957554. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's asset turnover of last year was 0.19827455.
==> Last year's asset turnover is higher ==> Score 0.
Evaluation
Piotroski F-Score
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8
Good or high score = 7, 8, 9
Bad or low score = 0, 1, 2, 3
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems has an F-score of 8. It is a good or high score, which usually indicates a very healthy situation.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems (STU:CML1) has a Piotroski F-Score of 8 as of Jun. 27, 2026. The Piotroski F-score grades a company's business operating strength from 0-9. View historical data on China Maple Leaf Educational Systems and its competitors. This is 33% above median its historical median of 6.00. Over the past decade, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems' Piotroski F-Score has ranged from 3.00 to 8.00. According to the industry distribution chart, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems ranks #2 out of 255 companies in the Education industry, placing it in the top 0.8%.
Is China Maple Leaf Educational Systems' Piotroski F-Score too high?
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems' current Piotroski F-Score of 8 is 33% above median its 10-year median of 6.00. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 3.00 to a high of 8.00. The Education industry median Piotroski F-Score is 5.00. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems' value of 8 is 60% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems ranks #2 out of 255 companies in the Education industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems has a GF Score™ of 46/100, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does China Maple Leaf Educational Systems' Piotroski F-Score compare to EDU and TAL?
According to the Education industry distribution chart, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems ranks #2 out of 255 companies for Piotroski F-Score. This places China Maple Leaf Educational Systems in the top 1% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Piotroski F-Score is 5.00. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems' value of 8 is 60% above this benchmark. Historically, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems' own Piotroski F-Score has ranged from 3.00 to 8.00 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 6.00 vs. the industry median of 5.00, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Piotroski F-Score for an Education company?
The median Piotroski F-Score among Education companies is 5.00, based on 255 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Piotroski F-Score significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Piotroski F-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's current Piotroski F-Score of 8 is 60% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Piotroski F-Score mean?
A high Piotroski F-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Piotroski F-score grades a company's business operating strength from 0-9. View historical data on China Maple Leaf Educational Systems and its competitors. For the Education industry, the median Piotroski F-Score is 5.00 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems's current Piotroski F-Score is 8, which is 33% above median its own 10-year median of 6.00. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is China Maple Leaf Educational Systems stock overvalued right now?
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems (STU:CML1) has a current Piotroski F-Score of 8. The stock's GF Value™ is €0.02, compared to a current price of €0.01 — trading 45% below its estimated fair value. The current Piotroski F-Score is 8, which is 33% above median its 10-year median of 6.00 and 60% above the Education industry median of 5.00. China Maple Leaf Educational Systems' overall GF Score™ is 46/100 with 3 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Piotroski F-Score calculated?
Piotroski F-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For China Maple Leaf Educational Systems (STU:CML1), the current Piotroski F-Score is 8 as of Jun. 27, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is China Maple Leaf Educational Systems (STU:CML1) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, China Maple Leaf Educational Systems stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of €0.01 is trading 45% below its estimated GF Value™ of €0.02.
Key valuation signals for STU:CML1:
Piotroski F-Score: 8 (33% above median its 10-year median of 6.00)
GF Value™: €0.02 vs. price of €0.01 (45% below fair value)
Industry Position: 60% above the Education median (#2 of 255)
No single metric tells the full story. See the STU:CML1 stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems Business Description
China Maple Leaf Educational Systems Ltd is mainly engaged in international school education in the PRC and other Asia Pacific countries. It operates international K-12 schools under three principal brands: "Maple Leaf" in China, delivering the World School Program; CIS in Singapore, offering the IB program; and KIS in Malaysia, providing the A-Level program. The company's reportable segments are as follows: (i) PRC Segment, (ii) Overseas Segment, including Singapore, Malaysia and other Asia Pacific countries. The majority of the company's revenue is derived from the Overseas Segment, mainly from Singapore. Revenue is generated from tuition and boarding fees, educational programs, textbook and materials sales, catering services, extracurricular activities, and related offerings.
46GF Score
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