Compx InternationalCIX -0.85%74 Operating Margin % is 17.38% as of Mar. 2026, which is 22% above its 10-year median of 14.29. GuruFocus rates CIX with a GF Score™ of 74/100 and a GF Value™ of $24.05 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 2 warning signs investors should review. Among 1,070 Business Services companies, Compx International ranks better than 78.5% on this metric.
Compx International (AMEX:CIX) 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.
Compx International Operating Margin % Related Terms
Compx International Operating Margin % Historical Data
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The historical data trend for Compx International's Operating Margin % 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.
CIX vs NL, YOOV, BAER: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Security & Protection Services subindustry, Compx International'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.
Compx International Operating Margin % vs Business Services Industry
For the Business Services industry and Industrials sector, Compx International's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Compx International's Operating Margin % falls into.
Compx International 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.
Compx International's Operating Margin % for the fiscal year that ended in Dec. 2025 is calculated as
* 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.
Compx International (CIX) has a Operating Margin % of 17.38% as of Mar. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Compx International and its competitors. This is 22% above median its historical median of 14.29. Over the past decade, Compx International's Operating Margin % has ranged from 10.32 to 15.77. According to the industry distribution chart, Compx International ranks #230 out of 1070 companies in the Business Services industry, placing it in the top 21.5%.
Is Compx International's Operating Margin % too high?
Compx International's current Operating Margin % of 17.38% is 22% above median its 10-year median of 14.29. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 10.32 to a high of 15.77. The Business Services industry median Operating Margin % is 6.33. Compx International's value of 17.38% is 174.6% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Compx International ranks #230 out of 1070 companies in the Business Services industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Compx International has a GF Score™ of 74/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Compx International's Operating Margin % compare to NL and YOOV?
According to the Business Services industry distribution chart, Compx International ranks #230 out of 1070 companies for Operating Margin %. This places Compx International in the top 22% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Operating Margin % is 6.33. Compx International's value of 17.38% is 174.6% above this benchmark. Historically, Compx International's own Operating Margin % has ranged from 10.32 to 15.77 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 14.29 vs. the industry median of 6.33, Compx International 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 Business Services company?
The median Operating Margin % among Business Services companies is 6.33, based on 1,070 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. Compx International's current Operating Margin % of 17.38% is 174.6% 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 Compx International and its competitors. For the Business Services industry, the median Operating Margin % is 6.33 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Compx International's current Operating Margin % is 17.38%, which is 22% above median its own 10-year median of 14.29. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Compx International stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Compx International (CIX) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $24.05, compared to a current price of $26.77 — trading 11.3% above its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 17.38%, which is 22% above median its 10-year median of 14.29 and 174.6% above the Business Services industry median of 6.33. Compx International's overall GF Score™ is 74/100 with 2 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 Compx International (CIX), the current Operating Margin % is 17.38% 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 Compx International (CIX) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Compx International stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of $26.77 is trading 11.3% above its estimated GF Value™ of $24.05.
GuruFocus considers Compx International to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for CIX:
Operating Margin %: 17.38% (22% above median its 10-year median of 14.29)
GF Value™: $24.05 vs. price of $26.77 (11.3% above fair value)
Industry Position: 174.6% above the Business Services median (#230 of 1070)
No single metric tells the full story. See the CIX stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Compx International Inc is a manufacturer of security products. Its security products are used in recreational transportation, postal, office & institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare, and a variety of other industries. Also, it is engaged in the manufacturing of stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, and trim tabs for the recreational marine industry. The company's reportable operating segment includes Security Products and Marine Components. It generates maximum revenue from the Security Products segment, which manufactures mechanical and electrical cabinet locks and other locking mechanisms. Geographically, the company generates maximum revenue from the United States, followed by Canada, Mexico, and other markets.
74GF Score
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