ROC % measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. It is also called ROIC %. International Stem Cell's annualized return on capital (ROC %) for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 was -14.50%.
As of today (2026-06-25), International Stem Cell's WACC % is 3.05%. International Stem Cell's ROC % is -4.42% (calculated using TTM income statement data).
International Stem Cell earns returns that do not match up to its cost of capital. It will destroy value as it grows.
International Stem Cell (OTCPK:ISCO) ROC % Explanation
ROC % measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. It is also called ROIC %. The reason book values of debt and equity are used is because the book values are the capital the company received when issuing the debt or receiving the equity investments.
There are four key components to this definition. The first is the use of operating income or EBIT rather than net income in the numerator. The second is the tax adjustment to this operating income or EBIT, computed as a hypothetical tax based on an effective or marginal tax rate. The third is the use of book values for invested capital, rather than market values. The final is the timing difference; the capital invested is from the end of the prior year whereas the operating income or EBIT is the current year's number.
Why is ROC % important?
Because it costs money to raise capital. A firm that generates higher returns on investment than it costs the company to raise the capital needed for that investment is earning excess returns. A firm that expects to continue generating positive excess returns on new investments in the future will see its value increase as growth increases, whereas a firm that earns returns that do not match up to its cost of capital will destroy value as it grows.
As of today, International Stem Cell's WACC % is 3.05%. International Stem Cell's ROC % is -4.42% (calculated using TTM income statement data).
International Stem Cell earns returns that do not match up to its cost of capital. It will destroy value as it grows.
Be Aware
Like ROE % and ROA %, ROC % is calculated with only 12 months of data. Fluctuations in the company's earnings or business cycles can affect the ratio drastically. It is important to look at the ratio from a long term perspective.
* 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.
Note:
The Operating Income data used here is four times the quarterly (Mar. 2026) data.
The tax rate is limited to between 0% and 100%.
* 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.
International Stem Cell (ISCO) has a ROC % of -14.50% as of Mar. 2026. Return on capital is the ratio of current-period net income to average two-period capital. View historical data on International Stem Cell and its competitors.
Is International Stem Cell's ROC % too high?
International Stem Cell's current ROC % is -14.50%. Overall, International Stem Cell has a GF Score™ of 28/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does International Stem Cell's ROC % compare to ONCO and VRAX?
International Stem Cell's ROC % of -14.50% can be compared against companies in the Biotechnology industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good ROC % for a Biotechnology company?
A good ROC % depends on the Biotechnology industry context. However, ROC % 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 ROC % mean?
A high ROC % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Return on capital is the ratio of current-period net income to average two-period capital. View historical data on International Stem Cell and its competitors. International Stem Cell's current ROC % is -14.50%. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is International Stem Cell stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, International Stem Cell (ISCO) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $0.13, compared to a current price of $0.18 — trading 37% above its estimated fair value. The current ROC % is -14.50%. International Stem Cell's overall GF Score™ is 28/100 with 4 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is ROC % calculated?
ROC % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For International Stem Cell (ISCO), the current ROC % is -14.50% 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 International Stem Cell (ISCO) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, International Stem Cell stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of $0.18 is trading 37% above its estimated GF Value™ of $0.13.
GuruFocus considers International Stem Cell to be Significantly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for ISCO:
ROC %: -14.50%
GF Value™: $0.13 vs. price of $0.18 (37% above fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the ISCO stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
International Stem Cell Corp is a clinical-stage biotechnology company. It is focused on therapeutic and biomedical product development with multiple long-term therapeutic opportunities. The company develops different cell types from its stem cells that may result in therapeutic products. The clinical applications of the company include neural stem cells for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other central nervous system disorders; Liver cells, which are used to treat a variety of congenital and acquired liver diseases; and retinal cells and three-dimensional eye structures. The company operates in three segments, the therapeutic market, the biomedical market, and the anti-aging market. The Biomedical products business segment accounts for the majority of revenue.
28GF Score
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