Energy RecoveryERII -1.19%71 Operating Margin % is -120.14% as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus rates ERII with a GF Score™ of 71/100 and a GF Value™ of $14.81 (Significantly Undervalued). The stock has 5 warning signs investors should review. Among 3,038 Industrial Products companies, Energy Recovery ranks better than 88.84% on this metric.
Energy Recovery (NAS:ERII) 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.
Energy Recovery Operating Margin % Related Terms
Energy Recovery Operating Margin % Historical Data
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The historical data trend for Energy Recovery'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.
ERII vs ARQ, FTEK, BCHT: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Pollution & Treatment Controls subindustry, Energy Recovery'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.
Energy Recovery Operating Margin % vs Industrial Products Industry
For the Industrial Products industry and Industrials sector, Energy Recovery's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Energy Recovery's Operating Margin % falls into.
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.
Energy Recovery'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.
Energy Recovery (ERII) has a Operating Margin % of -120.14% as of Mar. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Energy Recovery and its competitors. Over the past decade, Energy Recovery's Operating Margin % has ranged from 6.89 to 36.51. According to the industry distribution chart, Energy Recovery ranks #339 out of 3038 companies in the Industrial Products industry, placing it in the top 11.2%.
Is Energy Recovery's Operating Margin % too high?
Energy Recovery's current Operating Margin % is -120.14%. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 6.89 to a high of 36.51. Based on the distribution chart, Energy Recovery ranks #339 out of 3038 companies in the Industrial Products industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Energy Recovery has a GF Score™ of 71/100 and is considered Significantly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Energy Recovery's Operating Margin % compare to ARQ and FTEK?
According to the Industrial Products industry distribution chart, Energy Recovery ranks #339 out of 3038 companies for Operating Margin %. This places Energy Recovery in the top 11% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Operating Margin % is 6.53. Historically, Energy Recovery's own Operating Margin % has ranged from 6.89 to 36.51 over the past decade. 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 an Industrial Products company?
The median Operating Margin % among Industrial Products companies is 6.53, based on 3,038 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. 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 Energy Recovery and its competitors. For the Industrial Products industry, the median Operating Margin % is 6.53 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Energy Recovery's current Operating Margin % is -120.14%. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Energy Recovery stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Energy Recovery (ERII) is currently considered Significantly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $14.81, compared to a current price of $8.77 — trading 40.8% below its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is -120.14%. Energy Recovery's overall GF Score™ is 71/100 with 5 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 Energy Recovery (ERII), the current Operating Margin % is -120.14% 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 Energy Recovery (ERII) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Energy Recovery stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $8.77 is trading 40.8% below its estimated GF Value™ of $14.81.
GuruFocus considers Energy Recovery to be Significantly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for ERII:
Operating Margin %: -120.14%
GF Value™: $14.81 vs. price of $8.77 (40.8% below fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the ERII stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Energy Recovery Inc designs and manufactures energy-saving technologies. The firm uses its proprietary pressure exchanger technology to help customers in multiple industries improve their operations and lower their emissions. Using its proprietary technology, it offers energy recovery devices, including pressure exchangers, pumps, and turbochargers, mainly used for seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. Additionally, the company is involved in the development of emerging technologies, such as the PX G1300 used in industrial and commercial refrigeration applications. The firm's reportable operating segments are: Water, which generates maximum revenue, and Emerging Technologies. Geographically, it generates maximum revenue from the Middle East, and the rest from other markets.
71GF Score
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