Central Asia MetalsLSE:CAML +0.15%69 Operating Margin % is 32.76% as of Dec. 2025, which is 30% below its 10-year median of 46.54. GuruFocus rates LSE:CAML with a GF Score™ of 69/100 and a GF Value™ of £2.12 (Significantly Undervalued). The stock has 5 warning signs investors should review. Among 840 Metals & Mining companies, Central Asia Metals ranks better than 77.38% on this metric.
Central Asia Metals (LSE:CAML) 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.
Central Asia Metals Operating Margin % Related Terms
Central Asia Metals Operating Margin % Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Central Asia Metals'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.
LSE:CAML vs SCCO, FCX: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Copper subindustry, Central Asia Metals'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.
Central Asia Metals Operating Margin % vs Metals & Mining Industry
For the Metals & Mining industry and Basic Materials sector, Central Asia Metals's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Central Asia Metals's Operating Margin % falls into.
Central Asia Metals 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.
Central Asia Metals'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.
Central Asia Metals (LSE:CAML) has a Operating Margin % of 32.76% as of Dec. 2025. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Central Asia Metals and its competitors. This is 30% below median its historical median of 46.54. Over the past decade, Central Asia Metals' Operating Margin % has ranged from 27.62 to 54.40. According to the industry distribution chart, Central Asia Metals ranks #190 out of 840 companies in the Metals & Mining industry, placing it in the top 22.6%.
Is Central Asia Metals' Operating Margin % too high?
Central Asia Metals' current Operating Margin % of 32.76% is 30% below median its 10-year median of 46.54. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 27.62 to a high of 54.40. The Metals & Mining industry median Operating Margin % is 5.86. Central Asia Metals' value of 32.76% is 459% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Central Asia Metals ranks #190 out of 840 companies in the Metals & Mining industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, Central Asia Metals has a GF Score™ of 69/100 and is considered Significantly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Central Asia Metals' Operating Margin % compare to SCCO and FCX?
According to the Metals & Mining industry distribution chart, Central Asia Metals ranks #190 out of 840 companies for Operating Margin %. This places Central Asia Metals in the top 23% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. The industry median Operating Margin % is 5.86. Central Asia Metals' value of 32.76% is 459% above this benchmark. Historically, Central Asia Metals' own Operating Margin % has ranged from 27.62 to 54.40 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 46.54 vs. the industry median of 5.86, Central Asia Metals 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 Metals & Mining company?
The median Operating Margin % among Metals & Mining companies is 5.86, based on 840 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. Central Asia Metals's current Operating Margin % of 32.76% is 459% 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 Central Asia Metals and its competitors. For the Metals & Mining industry, the median Operating Margin % is 5.86 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Central Asia Metals's current Operating Margin % is 32.76%, which is 30% below median its own 10-year median of 46.54. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Central Asia Metals stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Central Asia Metals (LSE:CAML) is currently considered Significantly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is £2.12, compared to a current price of £1.33 — trading 37.5% below its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 32.76%, which is 30% below median its 10-year median of 46.54 and 459% above the Metals & Mining industry median of 5.86. Central Asia Metals' overall GF Score™ is 69/100 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 Central Asia Metals (LSE:CAML), the current Operating Margin % is 32.76% as of Dec. 2025. 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 Central Asia Metals (LSE:CAML) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Central Asia Metals stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of £1.33 is trading 37.5% below its estimated GF Value™ of £2.12.
GuruFocus considers Central Asia Metals to be Significantly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for LSE:CAML:
Operating Margin %: 32.76% (30% below median its 10-year median of 46.54)
GF Value™: £2.12 vs. price of £1.33 (37.5% below fair value)
Industry Position: 459% above the Metals & Mining median (#190 of 840)
No single metric tells the full story. See the LSE:CAML stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Central Asia Metals PLC is a base metals producer with copper operations in Kazakhstan and a zinc and lead mine in North Macedonia. The company's operating segments include: Kounrad (production of copper cathode) in Kazakhstan; Sasa (production of lead, zinc and silver) in North Macedonia; and Exploration (CAML X and CAML XD exploration activities) in Kazakhsta. The company generates the majority of its revenue Geographically from the Kazakhstan region.
69GF Score
Get the complete analysis for LSE:CAML
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
LSE:CAML has been successfully added to your 
