Advantage Solutions Inc's Meteoric Rise: Unpacking the 103% Surge in Just 3 Months

Advantage Solutions Inc (ADV, Financial) has experienced a remarkable surge in its stock price, with a 10.61% gain over the past week and an impressive 102.78% increase over the past three months. The company's market capitalization now stands at $1.43 billion, with a current stock price of $4.38. This recent performance has caught the attention of investors, as the stock is currently considered modestly undervalued with a GF Value of $5.15, compared to a past GF Value of $7.04. The previous valuation suggested caution, labeling the stock as a possible value trap, but the current assessment indicates a more favorable investment opportunity.

Company Overview

Advantage Solutions Inc operates within the diversified media industry, providing comprehensive outsourced sales and marketing solutions. The company's technology-enabled platform delivers a suite of services including headquarter sales, retail merchandising, in-store sampling, digital commerce, and shopper marketing. Advantage Solutions caters to a broad range of clients, from multinational corporations to local manufacturers, with a global presence extending through North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. The firm's dual-segment approach, encompassing both sales and marketing, positions it as a key player in helping brands and retailers optimize their market strategies.

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Profitability Analysis

Advantage Solutions Inc's Profitability Rank is currently at 4/10. The company's operating margin stands at 1.53%, which is better than 43.97% of its industry peers. However, the company's return on equity (ROE) is at -109.01%, and its return on assets (ROA) is at -33.59%, both of which are concerning despite being better than a small percentage of industry peers. The return on invested capital (ROIC) is 1.49%, which is more competitive, outperforming 48.14% of industry peers. Over the past decade, Advantage Solutions has managed to achieve profitability in three years, surpassing 24.82% of its competitors.

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Growth Prospects

The company's Growth Rank is 3/10. The 3-year revenue growth rate per share is at -11.90%, which, while negative, is still better than 23.29% of industry peers. The 5-year revenue growth rate per share shows a smaller decline at -1.90%, outperforming 46.82% of competitors. Looking ahead, the estimated total revenue growth rate for the next 3 to 5 years is 5.06%, which is more promising and better than 50.76% of industry peers. This suggests that while the company has faced challenges, there is potential for future growth.

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Notable Shareholders

Advantage Solutions Inc has attracted the interest of several prominent investors. Seth Klarman (Trades, Portfolio) holds a significant stake with 6,153,982 shares, accounting for 1.89% of the company's shares. Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) follows with 408,800 shares, representing a 0.13% share percentage. Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) also has a position in the company, albeit a smaller one, with 12,058 shares. The involvement of these notable shareholders could signal confidence in the company's future direction and may influence the stock's performance.

Competitive Landscape

When compared to its competitors, Advantage Solutions Inc holds its ground with a market cap of $1.43 billion. Deluxe Corp (DLX, Financial) and Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc (CCO, Financial) have market caps of $879.968 million and $879.078 million, respectively, while Magnite Inc (MGNI, Financial) is slightly smaller than ADV with a market cap of $1.32 billion. This positioning within the industry suggests that Advantage Solutions Inc is a significant player among its peers.

Conclusion

In summary, Advantage Solutions Inc's recent stock performance has been notably strong, with the current valuation indicating that the stock is modestly undervalued. The company's profitability metrics, while mixed, show some competitive strengths, particularly in operating margin and ROIC. Growth prospects appear to be on an upward trajectory, with future revenue estimates offering a positive outlook. The presence of high-profile investors adds an element of credibility to the stock. Finally, when benchmarked against its competitors, Advantage Solutions Inc demonstrates a robust market presence, which may contribute to its continued success in the industry.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.