REFR (Research Frontiers) 1-Year Sharpe Ratio: -1.99 (As of Aug. 18, 2026)

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Director of Data and Quant Analytics at GuruFocus
Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
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Charlie Tian
Founder & CEO of GuruFocus
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.

REFR Research Frontiers Inc REFR
28 GF Score
Price $0.44
GF Value $0.81
Valuation Possible Value Trap
! 5 Warning Signs
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What is Research Frontiers 1-Year Sharpe Ratio?

Research Frontiers REFR +0.96% 28 1-Year Sharpe Ratio is -1.99 as of Aug. 18, 2026. GuruFocus rates REFR with a GF Score™ of 28/100 and a GF Value™ of $0.81 (Possible Value Trap). The stock has 5 warning signs investors should review.

The 1-Year Sharpe Ratio measures the additional return that an investor receives per unit of increase in risk over the past year. As of today (2026-08-18), Research Frontiers's 1-Year Sharpe Ratio is -1.99.


Research Frontiers  (NAS:REFR) 1-Year Sharpe Ratio Explanation

The 1-Year Sharpe Ratio inidicates the risk-adjusted return of an investment over the past year. It is calculated as the annualized result of the average monthly excess return divided by its standard deviation over the past year. The monthly excess return is the monthly investment return minus the monthly risk-free rate (typically the 10-year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate). If the risk-free rate for a specific region is not available, U.S. data is used by default.

The greater a portfolio's Sharpe Ratio, the better its risk-adjusted performance. A negative Sharpe Ratio means the risk-free rate is greater than the portfolio’s historical or projected return, or else the portfolio's return is expected to be negative.


Research Frontiers 1-Year Sharpe Ratio Related Terms


REFR vs WETH, NEON, MTEK: 1-Year Sharpe Ratio Comparison

For the Electronic Components subindustry, Research Frontiers's 1-Year Sharpe Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and 1-Year Sharpe Ratio 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.


Research Frontiers 1-Year Sharpe Ratio vs Hardware Industry

For the Hardware industry and Technology sector, Research Frontiers's 1-Year Sharpe Ratio distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Research Frontiers's 1-Year Sharpe Ratio falls into.


REFR
28GF Score
Research Frontiers Inc REFR
1-Year Sharpe Ratio is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
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Research Frontiers 1-Year Sharpe Ratio Calculation

The 1-Year Sharpe Ratio measures the performance of an investment such as a stock or portfolio compared to a risk-free asset. A stock / portfolio's 1-Year Sharpe Ratio can be calculated by dividing the difference between the one-year returns of the investment and the risk-free rate, by the standard deviation of the investment returns over one year.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about 1-Year Sharpe Ratio →
What does a 1-Year Sharpe Ratio of -1.99 mean?
Research Frontiers (REFR) has a 1-Year Sharpe Ratio of -1.99 as of Aug. 18, 2026. 1-Year Sharpe Ratio measures the additional return that an investor receives per unit of increase in risk. View historical data for Research Frontiers and its competitors.
Is Research Frontiers' 1-Year Sharpe Ratio too high?
Research Frontiers' current 1-Year Sharpe Ratio is -1.99. Overall, Research Frontiers has a GF Score™ of 28/100 and is considered Possible Value Trap, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Research Frontiers' 1-Year Sharpe Ratio compare to WETH and NEON?
Research Frontiers' 1-Year Sharpe Ratio of -1.99 can be compared against companies in the Hardware industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good 1-Year Sharpe Ratio for a Hardware company?
A good 1-Year Sharpe Ratio depends on the Hardware industry context. However, 1-Year Sharpe Ratio 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 1-Year Sharpe Ratio mean?
A high 1-Year Sharpe Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. 1-Year Sharpe Ratio measures the additional return that an investor receives per unit of increase in risk. View historical data for Research Frontiers and its competitors. Research Frontiers's current 1-Year Sharpe Ratio is -1.99. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Research Frontiers stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Research Frontiers (REFR) is currently considered Possible Value Trap. The stock's GF Value™ is $0.81, compared to a current price of $0.44 — trading 45.7% below its estimated fair value. The current 1-Year Sharpe Ratio is -1.99. Research Frontiers' overall GF Score™ is 28/100 with 5 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is 1-Year Sharpe Ratio calculated?
1-Year Sharpe Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Research Frontiers (REFR), the current 1-Year Sharpe Ratio is -1.99 as of Aug. 18, 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 Research Frontiers (REFR) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Research Frontiers stock appears to be undervalued. The current stock price of $0.44 is trading 45.7% below its estimated GF Value™ of $0.81. GuruFocus considers Research Frontiers to be Possible Value Trap.

Key valuation signals for REFR:

  • 1-Year Sharpe Ratio: -1.99
  • GF Value™: $0.81 vs. price of $0.44 (45.7% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 28/100 with 5 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the REFR stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Research Frontiers Business Description

Address 240 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, NY, USA, 11797-2033
Research Frontiers Inc is engaged in the development and marketing of technology and devices to control the flow of light. The company develops and licenses its patented suspended particle device light-control technology to other companies that manufacture and market the SPD-Smart chemical emulsion, the light-control film made from the chemical emulsion, the light-control panels made by laminating the film, electronics to power end-products incorporating the film, or lamination services for, and the end-products. The company's revenue source comes from the licensing of technology.
28GF Score

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1-Year Sharpe Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$0.44
Price
$0.81
GF Value