Macfarlane GroupLSE:MACF +1.54%57 Operating Margin % is 3.54% as of Dec. 2025, which is 43% below its 10-year median of 6.25. GuruFocus rates LSE:MACF with a GF Score™ of 57/100 and a GF Value™ of £1.18 (Significantly Undervalued). The stock has 5 warning signs investors should review. Among 393 Packaging & Containers companies, Macfarlane Group ranks worse than 59.03% on this metric.
Macfarlane Group PLC operating margin has been in a 5-year decline. The average rate of decline per year is -4.9%.
The historical rank and industry rank for Macfarlane Group's Operating Margin % or its related term are showing as below:
LSE:MACF'
s Operating Margin % Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 4.15 Med: 6.25 Max: 8.73
Current: 4.15
LSE:MACF's Operating Margin % is ranked worse than 59.03% of 393
companies
in the Packaging & Containers industry
Industry Median: 5.24
vs LSE:MACF: 4.15
Macfarlane Group's 5-Year Average Operating Margin % Growth Rate was -4.90% per year.
Macfarlane Group (LSE:MACF) 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.
Macfarlane Group Operating Margin % Related Terms
Macfarlane Group Operating Margin % Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Macfarlane Group'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:MACF vs SW, PKG, AMCR: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Packaging & Containers subindustry, Macfarlane Group'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.
Macfarlane Group Operating Margin % vs Packaging & Containers Industry
For the Packaging & Containers industry and Consumer Cyclical sector, Macfarlane Group's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Macfarlane Group'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.
Macfarlane Group'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.
Macfarlane Group (LSE:MACF) has a Operating Margin % of 3.54% as of Dec. 2025. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Macfarlane Group and its competitors. This is 43% below median its historical median of 6.25. Over the past decade, Macfarlane Group's Operating Margin % has ranged from 4.15 to 8.73. According to the industry distribution chart, Macfarlane Group ranks #232 out of 393 companies in the Packaging & Containers industry, placing it in the top 59%.
Is Macfarlane Group's Operating Margin % too high?
Macfarlane Group's current Operating Margin % of 3.54% is 43% below median its 10-year median of 6.25. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 4.15 to a high of 8.73. The Packaging & Containers industry median Operating Margin % is 5.24. Macfarlane Group's value of 3.54% is 32.4% below this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Macfarlane Group ranks #232 out of 393 companies in the Packaging & Containers industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, Macfarlane Group has a GF Score™ of 57/100 and is considered Significantly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Macfarlane Group's Operating Margin % compare to SW and PKG?
According to the Packaging & Containers industry distribution chart, Macfarlane Group ranks #232 out of 393 companies for Operating Margin %. This places Macfarlane Group in the lower half of its industry. The industry median Operating Margin % is 5.24. Macfarlane Group's value of 3.54% is 32.4% below this benchmark. Historically, Macfarlane Group's own Operating Margin % has ranged from 4.15 to 8.73 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 6.25 vs. the industry median of 5.24, Macfarlane Group 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 Operating Margin % for a Packaging & Containers company?
The median Operating Margin % among Packaging & Containers companies is 5.24, based on 393 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. Macfarlane Group's current Operating Margin % of 3.54% is 32.4% 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 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 Macfarlane Group and its competitors. For the Packaging & Containers industry, the median Operating Margin % is 5.24 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Macfarlane Group's current Operating Margin % is 3.54%, which is 43% below median its own 10-year median of 6.25. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Macfarlane Group stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Macfarlane Group (LSE:MACF) is currently considered Significantly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is £1.18, compared to a current price of £0.66 — trading 44.1% below its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 3.54%, which is 43% below median its 10-year median of 6.25 and 32.4% below the Packaging & Containers industry median of 5.24. Macfarlane Group's overall GF Score™ is 57/100 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 Macfarlane Group (LSE:MACF), the current Operating Margin % is 3.54% 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 Macfarlane Group (LSE:MACF) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Macfarlane Group stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of £0.66 is trading 44.1% below its estimated GF Value™ of £1.18.
GuruFocus considers Macfarlane Group to be Significantly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for LSE:MACF:
Operating Margin %: 3.54% (43% below median its 10-year median of 6.25)
GF Value™: £1.18 vs. price of £0.66 (44.1% below fair value)
Industry Position: 32.4% below the Packaging & Containers median (#232 of 393)
No single metric tells the full story. See the LSE:MACF stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Macfarlane Group PLC is a United Kingdom-based company that provides services for the packaging sector. It operates in two segments Packaging Distribution segment, which includes the distribution of packaging materials & supply of storage & warehousing services, & Manufacturing Operations comprises the manufacturing & supplying of self-adhesive labels to fast-moving consumer goods. The business operates Regional Distribution Centers, supplying customers with a range of packaging materials & services. It operates across a wide range of sectors such as Aerospace, Defense, Electronics, Medical General, Industrial food, health & beauty, household products, & beverages sectors. It derives key revenue from the Distribution segment. Geographically, it derives the majority revenue from the UK.
57GF Score
Get the complete analysis for LSE:MACF
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:MACF has been successfully added to your 
