Stock Analysis

Investors Continue Waiting On Sidelines For Unifi, Inc. (NYSE:UFI)

NYSE:UFI
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There wouldn't be many who think Unifi, Inc.'s (NYSE:UFI) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.2x is worth a mention when the median P/S for the Luxury industry in the United States is similar at about 0.7x. However, investors might be overlooking a clear opportunity or potential setback if there is no rational basis for the P/S.

See our latest analysis for Unifi

ps-multiple-vs-industry
NYSE:UFI Price to Sales Ratio vs Industry January 1st 2025

What Does Unifi's P/S Mean For Shareholders?

Recent times haven't been great for Unifi as its revenue has been rising slower than most other companies. It might be that many expect the uninspiring revenue performance to strengthen positively, which has kept the P/S ratio from falling. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a relatively elevated price for a company with this sort of growth profile.

Keen to find out how analysts think Unifi's future stacks up against the industry? In that case, our free report is a great place to start.

What Are Revenue Growth Metrics Telling Us About The P/S?

Unifi's P/S ratio would be typical for a company that's only expected to deliver moderate growth, and importantly, perform in line with the industry.

If we review the last year of revenue, the company posted a result that saw barely any deviation from a year ago. This isn't what shareholders were looking for as it means they've been left with a 18% decline in revenue over the last three years in total. So unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the company has not done a great job of growing revenue over that time.

Shifting to the future, estimates from the sole analyst covering the company suggest revenue should grow by 11% over the next year. That's shaping up to be materially higher than the 4.5% growth forecast for the broader industry.

With this information, we find it interesting that Unifi is trading at a fairly similar P/S compared to the industry. Apparently some shareholders are skeptical of the forecasts and have been accepting lower selling prices.

What Does Unifi's P/S Mean For Investors?

It's argued the price-to-sales ratio is an inferior measure of value within certain industries, but it can be a powerful business sentiment indicator.

We've established that Unifi currently trades on a lower than expected P/S since its forecasted revenue growth is higher than the wider industry. There could be some risks that the market is pricing in, which is preventing the P/S ratio from matching the positive outlook. This uncertainty seems to be reflected in the share price which, while stable, could be higher given the revenue forecasts.

You always need to take note of risks, for example - Unifi has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

If you're unsure about the strength of Unifi's business, why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals for some other companies you may have missed.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.