UPC (Universe Pharmaceuticals) Piotroski F-Score: 4 (As of Jun. 26, 2026) — 20% Below Median


UPC Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc UPC
58 GF Score
Price $2.77
GF Value $5.22
Valuation Possible Value Trap
! 7 Warning Signs
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What is Universe Pharmaceuticals Piotroski F-Score?

Universe Pharmaceuticals UPC -2.81% 58 Piotroski F-Score is 4 as of Jun. 26, 2026, which is 20% below its 10-year median of 5.00. GuruFocus rates UPC with a GF Score™ of 58/100 and a GF Value™ of $5.22 (Possible Value Trap). The stock has 7 warning signs investors should review. Among 981 Drug Manufacturers companies, Universe Pharmaceuticals ranks worse than 61.06% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination were as such:

Good or high score = 7, 8, 9
Bad or low score = 0, 1, 2, 3

Universe Pharmaceuticals has an F-score of 4 indicating the company's financial situation is typical for a stable company.

The historical rank and industry rank for Universe Pharmaceuticals's Piotroski F-Score or its related term are showing as below:

UPC' s Piotroski F-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 2   Med: 5   Max: 8
Current: 4

During the past 8 years, the highest Piotroski F-Score of Universe Pharmaceuticals was 8. The lowest was 2. And the median was 5.

Universe Pharmaceuticals  (NAS:UPC) 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.

In 2000, he wrote a research paper called "Value Investing: The Use of Historical Financial Statement Information to Separate Winners from Losers" (pdf).

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.


Universe Pharmaceuticals Piotroski F-Score Related Terms


Universe Pharmaceuticals Piotroski F-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for Universe Pharmaceuticals's Piotroski F-Score can be seen below:

* 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.

Universe Pharmaceuticals Piotroski F-Score Chart

Universe Pharmaceuticals Annual Data
Trend Sep18 Sep19 Sep20 Sep21 Sep22 Sep23 Sep24 Sep25
Piotroski F-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial 5.00 3.00 5.00 2.00 4.00

Universe Pharmaceuticals Semi-Annual Data
Sep18 Mar19 Sep19 Mar20 Sep20 Mar21 Sep21 Mar22 Sep22 Mar23 Sep23 Mar24 Sep24 Mar25 Sep25
Piotroski F-Score Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only 5.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 4.00

UPC vs CBIH, PRFX, IMCC: Piotroski F-Score Comparison

For the Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic subindustry, Universe Pharmaceuticals'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.


Universe Pharmaceuticals Piotroski F-Score vs Drug Manufacturers Industry

For the Drug Manufacturers industry and Healthcare sector, Universe Pharmaceuticals's Piotroski F-Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Universe Pharmaceuticals's Piotroski F-Score falls into.


UPC
58GF Score
Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc UPC
Piotroski F-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

How is the Piotroski F-Score calculated?

* 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.

This Year (Sep25) TTM:Last Year (Sep24) TTM:
Net Income was $-3.67 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was $-5.05 Mil.
Revenue was $17.86 Mil.
Gross Profit was $6.30 Mil.
Average Total Assets from the begining of this year (Sep24)
to the end of this year (Sep25) was (67.953 + 69.303) / 2 = $68.628 Mil.
Total Assets at the begining of this year (Sep24) was $67.95 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $0.00 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $53.60 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $13.17 Mil.
Net Income was $-8.73 Mil.

Revenue was $23.02 Mil.
Gross Profit was $6.07 Mil.
Average Total Assets from the begining of last year (Sep23)
to the end of last year (Sep24) was (41.724 + 67.953) / 2 = $54.8385 Mil.
Total Assets at the begining of last year (Sep23) was $41.72 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $2.14 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $51.64 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $20.31 Mil.

*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.

Universe Pharmaceuticals's current Net Income (TTM) was -3.67. ==> Negative ==> Score 0.

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.

Universe Pharmaceuticals's current Cash Flow from Operations (TTM) was -5.05. ==> Negative ==> Score 0.

Question 3. Change in Return on Assets

Compare this year's return on assets (1) to last year's return on assets.

Score 1 if it's higher, 0 if it's lower.

ROA (This Year)=Net Income/Total Assets (Sep24)
=-3.672/67.953
=-0.05403735

ROA (Last Year)=Net Income/Total Assets (Sep23)
=-8.727/41.724
=-0.2091602

Universe Pharmaceuticals's return on assets of this year was -0.05403735. Universe Pharmaceuticals's return on assets of last year was -0.2091602. ==> This year is higher. ==> Score 1.

Question 4. Quality of Earnings (Accrual)

Compare Cash flow return on assets (2) to return on assets (1)

Score 1 if CFROA > ROA, 0 if CFROA <= ROA.

Universe Pharmaceuticals's current Net Income (TTM) was -3.67. Universe Pharmaceuticals's current Cash Flow from Operations (TTM) was -5.05. ==> -5.05 <= -3.67 ==> CFROA <= ROA ==> Score 0.

Funding

Question 5. Change in Gearing or Leverage

Compare this year's gearing (long-term debt divided by average total assets) to last year's gearing.

Score 0 if this year's gearing is higher, 1 otherwise.

Gearing (This Year: Sep25)=Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation/Average Total Assets from Sep24 to Sep25
=0/68.628
=0

Gearing (Last Year: Sep24)=Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation/Average Total Assets from Sep23 to Sep24
=2.137/54.8385
=0.03896897

Universe Pharmaceuticals's gearing of this year was 0. Universe Pharmaceuticals's gearing of last year was 0.03896897. ==> 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

Current Ratio (This Year: Sep25)=Total Current Assets/Total Current Liabilities
=53.604/13.174
=4.06892364

Current Ratio (Last Year: Sep24)=Total Current Assets/Total Current Liabilities
=51.638/20.313
=2.54211589

Universe Pharmaceuticals's current ratio of this year was 4.06892364. Universe Pharmaceuticals's current ratio of last year was 2.54211589. ==> 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.

Universe Pharmaceuticals's number of shares in issue this year was 0.456. Universe Pharmaceuticals's number of shares in issue last year was 0.014. ==> There is larger number of shares in issue this year. ==> Score 0.

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.

Gross Margin (This Year: TTM)=Gross Profit/Revenue
=6.301/17.859
=0.35281931

Gross Margin (Last Year: TTM)=Gross Profit/Revenue
=6.072/23.024
=0.26372481

Universe Pharmaceuticals's gross margin of this year was 0.35281931. Universe Pharmaceuticals's gross margin of last year was 0.26372481. ==> 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

Asset Turnover (This Year)=Revenue/Total Assets at the Beginning of This Year (Sep24)
=17.859/67.953
=0.262814

Asset Turnover (Last Year)=Revenue/Total Assets at the Beginning of Last Year (Sep23)
=23.024/41.724
=0.5518167

Universe Pharmaceuticals's asset turnover of this year was 0.262814. Universe Pharmaceuticals's asset turnover of last year was 0.5518167. ==> Last year's asset turnover is higher ==> Score 0.

Evaluation

Piotroski F-Score= Que. 1+ Que. 2+ Que. 3+Que. 4+Que. 5+Que. 6+Que. 7+Que. 8+Que. 9
=0+0+1+0+1+1+0+1+0
=4

Good or high score = 7, 8, 9
Bad or low score = 0, 1, 2, 3

Universe Pharmaceuticals has an F-score of 4 indicating the company's financial situation is typical for a stable company.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Piotroski F-Score →
What does a Piotroski F-Score of 4 mean?
Universe Pharmaceuticals (UPC) has a Piotroski F-Score of 4 as of Jun. 26, 2026. The Piotroski F-score grades a company's business operating strength from 0-9. View historical data on Universe Pharmaceuticals and its competitors. This is 20% below median its historical median of 5.00. Over the past decade, Universe Pharmaceuticals' Piotroski F-Score has ranged from 2.00 to 8.00. According to the industry distribution chart, Universe Pharmaceuticals ranks #599 out of 981 companies in the Drug Manufacturers industry, placing it in the top 61.1%.
Is Universe Pharmaceuticals' Piotroski F-Score too high?
Universe Pharmaceuticals' current Piotroski F-Score of 4 is 20% below median its 10-year median of 5.00. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 2.00 to a high of 8.00. The Drug Manufacturers industry median Piotroski F-Score is 5.00. Universe Pharmaceuticals' value of 4 is 20% below this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Universe Pharmaceuticals ranks #599 out of 981 companies in the Drug Manufacturers industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, Universe Pharmaceuticals has a GF Score™ of 58/100 and is considered Possible Value Trap, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Universe Pharmaceuticals' Piotroski F-Score compare to CBIH and PRFX?
According to the Drug Manufacturers industry distribution chart, Universe Pharmaceuticals ranks #599 out of 981 companies for Piotroski F-Score. This places Universe Pharmaceuticals in the lower half of its industry. The industry median Piotroski F-Score is 5.00. Universe Pharmaceuticals' value of 4 is 20% below this benchmark. Historically, Universe Pharmaceuticals' own Piotroski F-Score has ranged from 2.00 to 8.00 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 5.00 vs. the industry median of 5.00, Universe Pharmaceuticals has consistently been below 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 a Drug Manufacturers company?
The median Piotroski F-Score among Drug Manufacturers companies is 5.00, based on 981 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. Universe Pharmaceuticals's current Piotroski F-Score of 4 is 20% below 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 Universe Pharmaceuticals and its competitors. For the Drug Manufacturers 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. Universe Pharmaceuticals's current Piotroski F-Score is 4, which is 20% below median its own 10-year median of 5.00. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Universe Pharmaceuticals stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Universe Pharmaceuticals (UPC) is currently considered Possible Value Trap. The stock's GF Value™ is $5.22, compared to a current price of $2.77 — trading 46.9% below its estimated fair value. The current Piotroski F-Score is 4, which is 20% below median its 10-year median of 5.00 and 20% below the Drug Manufacturers industry median of 5.00. Universe Pharmaceuticals' overall GF Score™ is 58/100 with 7 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 Universe Pharmaceuticals (UPC), the current Piotroski F-Score is 4 as of Jun. 26, 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 Universe Pharmaceuticals (UPC) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Universe Pharmaceuticals stock appears to be undervalued. The current stock price of $2.77 is trading 46.9% below its estimated GF Value™ of $5.22. GuruFocus considers Universe Pharmaceuticals to be Possible Value Trap.

Key valuation signals for UPC:

  • Piotroski F-Score: 4 (20% below median its 10-year median of 5.00)
  • GF Value™: $5.22 vs. price of $2.77 (46.9% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 58/100 with 7 warning signs
  • Industry Position: 20% below the Drug Manufacturers median (#599 of 981)

No single metric tells the full story. See the UPC stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Universe Pharmaceuticals Business Description

Address 265 Jingjiu Avenue, Jinggangshan Economic & Technological Development Zone, Jiangxi, Ji’an, CHN, 343100
Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution of traditional Chinese medicine derivatives products targeting the elderly with the goal of addressing their physical conditions in the ageing process and promoting their general well-being. The company also sells biomedical drugs, medical instruments, Traditional Chinese Medicine Pieces, and dietary supplements manufactured by third-party pharmaceutical companies. Its products are under two categories namely treatment and relief for common chronic health conditions in the elderly designed to achieve physical wellness and longevity (Chronic Condition Treatments), and cold and flu medications.
58GF Score

Get the complete analysis for UPC

Piotroski F-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$2.77
Price
$5.22
GF Value