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Slingsby (H C) PLC has recorded a loss in operating income at least once over the past 3 years.
Slingsby (H C) (LSE:SLNG) 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.
Slingsby (H C) Operating Margin % Related Terms
Slingsby (H C) Operating Margin % Historical Data
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The historical data trend for Slingsby (H C)'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:SLNG vs GWW, FAST, FERG: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Industrial Distribution subindustry, Slingsby (H C)'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.
Slingsby (H C) Operating Margin % vs Industrial Distribution Industry
For the Industrial Distribution industry and Industrials sector, Slingsby (H C)'s Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Slingsby (H C)'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.
Slingsby (H C)'s Operating Margin % for the fiscal year that ended in Dec. 2024 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.
Slingsby (H C) (LSE:SLNG) has a Operating Margin % of 1.09% as of Jun. 2025. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Slingsby (H C) and its competitors. This is 43% below median its historical median of 1.91.
Is Slingsby (H C)'s Operating Margin % too high?
Slingsby (H C)'s current Operating Margin % of 1.09% is 43% below median its 10-year median of 1.91. The Industrial Distribution industry median Operating Margin % is 4.69. Slingsby (H C)'s value of 1.09% is 76.8% below this industry median. Overall, Slingsby (H C) has a GF Score™ of 37/100, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Slingsby (H C)'s Operating Margin % compare to GWW and FAST?
Slingsby (H C)'s Operating Margin % of 1.09% can be compared against companies in the Industrial Distribution industry. The industry median Operating Margin % is 4.69. Slingsby (H C)'s value of 1.09% is 76.8% below this benchmark. While the company's 10-year median is 1.91 vs. the industry median of 4.69, Slingsby (H C) 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 an Industrial Distribution company?
The median Operating Margin % among Industrial Distribution companies is 4.69, based on 158 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. Slingsby (H C)'s current Operating Margin % of 1.09% is 76.8% 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 Slingsby (H C) and its competitors. For the Industrial Distribution industry, the median Operating Margin % is 4.69 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Slingsby (H C)'s current Operating Margin % is 1.09%, which is 43% below median its own 10-year median of 1.91. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Slingsby (H C) stock overvalued right now?
Slingsby (H C) (LSE:SLNG) has a current Operating Margin % of 1.09%. The stock's GF Value™ is £2.39, compared to a current price of £0.45 — trading 81.2% below its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 1.09%, which is 43% below median its 10-year median of 1.91 and 76.8% below the Industrial Distribution industry median of 4.69. Slingsby (H C)'s overall GF Score™ is 37/100 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 Slingsby (H C) (LSE:SLNG), the current Operating Margin % is 1.09% as of Jun. 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 Slingsby (H C) (LSE:SLNG) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Slingsby (H C) stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of £0.45 is trading 81.2% below its estimated GF Value™ of £2.39.
Key valuation signals for LSE:SLNG:
Operating Margin %: 1.09% (43% below median its 10-year median of 1.91)
GF Value™: £2.39 vs. price of £0.45 (81.2% below fair value)
Industry Position: 76.8% below the Industrial Distribution median
No single metric tells the full story. See the LSE:SLNG stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Slingsby (H C) PLC is engaged in merchanting and distribution of a diversified range of industrial and commercial equipment consisting of incidental purchasing supplies. The range spanning approximately 45,000 products include the following sectors: handling and lifting, wheels and castors, ladders and steps, storage and shelving, office, safety and security, workwear, cleaning and hygiene, mailroom and packaging, workshop and maintenance, waste and recycling, premises, cloakroom, signs and labels, and flooring and matting. The group only has one business segment, which is its principal activity, being the merchanting and distribution of industrial and commercial equipment.
37GF Score
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