Northern Technologies International Corp had lost money in 92% of the time over the past 12quarters.
Northern Technologies International (NAS:NTIC) 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.
Northern Technologies International Operating Margin % Related Terms
Northern Technologies International Operating Margin % Historical Data
* 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.
Northern Technologies International Operating Margin % Chart
NTIC vs FSI, FEAM, KBLB: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Specialty Chemicals subindustry, Northern Technologies 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.
Northern Technologies International Operating Margin % vs Chemicals Industry
For the Chemicals industry and Basic Materials sector, Northern Technologies International's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Northern Technologies International's Operating Margin % falls into.
Northern Technologies 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.
* 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.
Northern Technologies International (NTIC) has a Operating Margin % of -7.47% as of Feb. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Northern Technologies International and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, Northern Technologies International ranks #1372 out of 1574 companies in the Chemicals industry, placing it in the top 87.2%.
Is Northern Technologies International's Operating Margin % too high?
Northern Technologies International's current Operating Margin % is -7.47%. Based on the distribution chart, Northern Technologies International ranks #1372 out of 1574 companies in the Chemicals industry, which is in the bottom quartile relative to peers. Overall, Northern Technologies International has a GF Score™ of 56/100 and is considered Possible Value Trap, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Northern Technologies International's Operating Margin % compare to FSI and FEAM?
According to the Chemicals industry distribution chart, Northern Technologies International ranks #1372 out of 1574 companies for Operating Margin %. This places Northern Technologies International in the lower half of its industry. The industry median Operating Margin % is 6.02. 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 Chemicals company?
The median Operating Margin % among Chemicals companies is 6.02, based on 1,574 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 Northern Technologies International and its competitors. For the Chemicals industry, the median Operating Margin % is 6.02 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Northern Technologies International's current Operating Margin % is -7.47%. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Northern Technologies International stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Northern Technologies International (NTIC) is currently considered Possible Value Trap. The stock's GF Value™ is $13.76, compared to a current price of $8.63 — trading 37.3% below its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is -7.47%. Northern Technologies International's overall GF Score™ is 56/100 with 4 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 Northern Technologies International (NTIC), the current Operating Margin % is -7.47% as of Feb. 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 Northern Technologies International (NTIC) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Northern Technologies International stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $8.63 is trading 37.3% below its estimated GF Value™ of $13.76.
GuruFocus considers Northern Technologies International to be Possible Value Trap.
Key valuation signals for NTIC:
Operating Margin %: -7.47%
GF Value™: $13.76 vs. price of $8.63 (37.3% below fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the NTIC stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Northern Technologies International Business Description
Northern Technologies International Corp is a United States-based firm that develops and markets proprietary, environmentally beneficial products and services world wide either directly or through a network of joint ventures, distributors, and agents. It operates through two segments, which include ZERUST products and services and Nature-Tec products. Its main business is providing corrosion prevention solutions that are marketed under the ZERUST brand. The company also sells a portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable (compostable) polymer resin compounds and finished products marketed under the Nature-Tec brand. The ZERUST brand generates a vast majority of the revenue for the company. The company generates the majority of its revenue in the United States.
56GF Score
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Operating Margin % is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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