Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co (BOM:509597) Operating Margin % Explanation
Just like Gross Margin %, it is important to see a company maintains its operating margin over time. Among the same industry, a company with higher operating margin is more efficient in its operation. It is also more stable during industry slowdown or recessions. Peter Lynch prefers those with higher margins than those with lower margins.
Be Aware
Operating Margin % can be manipulated by adjusting the rate of depreciation, depletion and amortization (DDA).
If a company is facing competition, its Operating Margin % may decline. Often the Operating Margin % declines well before the company's Revenue or even profit decline. Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important indicator of whether the company is facing problems.
For instance, by 2012, Nokia (NOK)'s problems were well known and its stock had lost more than 90% of its market value since 2007. But Nokias Operating Margin % had already been in decline since 2002, although its Earnings per Share (Diluted) were still rising. Investors who paid attention to Operating Margin % would have avoided this huge loss. The same can be said for Research-in-Motion (RIMM).
Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important screening filter for GuruFocus. GuruFocus's Buffett-Munger screener requires that the profit margin is either consistent or expanding. The Model Portfolio of the Buffett-Munger screener has outperformed the market every year since inception in 2009.
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co Operating Margin % Related Terms
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co Operating Margin % 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.
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co Operating Margin % Chart
BOM:509597 vs HON, MMM: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Conglomerates subindustry, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's Operating Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Operating Margin % 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.
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co Operating Margin % vs Conglomerates Industry
For the Conglomerates industry and Industrials sector, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's Operating Margin % falls into.
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co Operating Margin % Calculation
Operating Margin % - also known as operating income margin, operating profit margin and return on sales (ROS) - is the ratio of Operating Income divided by net sales or Revenue, usually presented in percent.
* 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.
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co (BOM:509597) has a Operating Margin % of 48.00% as of Mar. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co and its competitors. This is 82% above median its historical median of 26.31. According to the industry distribution chart, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co ranks #19 out of 544 companies in the Conglomerates industry, placing it in the top 3.5%.
Is Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's Operating Margin % too high?
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's current Operating Margin % of 48.00% is 82% above median its 10-year median of 26.31. The Conglomerates industry median Operating Margin % is 5.93. Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's value of 48.00% is 709.4% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co ranks #19 out of 544 companies in the Conglomerates industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co has a GF Score™ of 79/100 and is considered Significantly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's Operating Margin % compare to HON and MMM?
According to the Conglomerates industry distribution chart, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co ranks #19 out of 544 companies for Operating Margin %. This places Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co in the top 4% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Operating Margin % is 5.93. Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's value of 48.00% is 709.4% above this benchmark. While the company's 10-year median is 26.31 vs. the industry median of 5.93, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co 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 Operating Margin % for a Conglomerates company?
The median Operating Margin % among Conglomerates companies is 5.93, based on 544 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Operating Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Operating Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's current Operating Margin % of 48.00% is 709.4% 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 Operating Margin % mean?
A high Operating Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co and its competitors. For the Conglomerates industry, the median Operating Margin % is 5.93 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's current Operating Margin % is 48.00%, which is 82% above median its own 10-year median of 26.31. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co (BOM:509597) is currently considered Significantly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is ₹1,540.17, compared to a current price of ₹835.95 — trading 45.7% below its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 48.00%, which is 82% above median its 10-year median of 26.31 and 709.4% above the Conglomerates industry median of 5.93. Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co's overall GF Score™ is 79/100 with 3 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Operating Margin % calculated?
Operating Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co (BOM:509597), the current Operating Margin % is 48.00% as of Mar. 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 Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co (BOM:509597) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of ₹835.95 is trading 45.7% below its estimated GF Value™ of ₹1,540.17.
GuruFocus considers Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co to be Significantly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for BOM:509597:
Operating Margin %: 48.00% (82% above median its 10-year median of 26.31)
GF Value™: ₹1,540.17 vs. price of ₹835.95 (45.7% below fair value)
Industry Position: 709.4% above the Conglomerates median (#19 of 544)
No single metric tells the full story. See the BOM:509597 stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co Business Description
Hardcastle & Waud Manufacturing Co Ltd is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of industrial chemicals. The company operates in three segments, including Industrial Chemicals, Investments, and Leasing Activities. The company manufactures chemicals for metalworking, electrical, engineering, and other related industries. Its products include heat treatment products, fluid power products, die-casting lubricants, cutting coolants, drawing compounds, rolling and coating oils, rust preventives, hot forging lubricants, cleaners, and industrial lubricants. The company generates key revenue from the Investment segment.
79GF Score
Get the complete analysis for BOM:509597
Operating Margin % is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
Quick Browse
Personalize
Premium Gurus 
Create New Portfolio
BOM:509597 has been successfully added to your 
