AGEN

We rate AGENUS INC (AGEN) as Avoid with a composite score of 35.8/100 at a current price of $3.22. The stock falls in the bottom quintile of our universe across key quantitative factors, and the multi-factor weakness suggests a high probability of continued underperformance.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in value (44th percentile) and quality (41th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in investment (26th percentile) and momentum (30th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a No Moat rating (37/100), High uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation.

Key items to watch: momentum to confirm whether the current price trend has legs; sustainability of the current growth rate; the path to profitability. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

AGENUS INC holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Manufacturing sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 35.8/100 places it at rank #4026 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $123M in market capitalization, AGENUS INC is a small-cap player in the Manufacturing space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

Revenue is growing at 29%, though momentum at the 30th percentile suggests the market has not yet fully recognized this trajectory. This potential disconnect between fundamental improvement and market recognition could represent an opportunity for patient investors if the growth trend persists.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 99% (+56.4pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of -65% (-66.5pp vs sector) and net margins of -70.7%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of -71%. The significant margin erosion from gross to net suggests elevated operating expenses, high interest costs, or other structural drags that warrant monitoring.

At a current price of $3.22, AGENUS INC is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 44/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. Valuation metrics are mixed, with no strong signal of mispricing in either direction.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 1.5x (a 93% discount to the sector median of 22.3x), P/S of 1.1x. The below-sector P/E suggests possible undervaluation or the market pricing in near-term headwinds.

We assign a High uncertainty rating to AGENUS INC. Key risk factors include elevated market sensitivity (beta of 1.38), current negative profitability (net margin -70.7%), below-average price stability (36th percentile). The wide range of potential outcomes widens our fair value estimate and increases the possibility of permanent capital impairment. Investors considering this name should size positions accordingly and demand a meaningful margin of safety before initiating.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: elevated market sensitivity (beta of 1.38); current negative profitability (net margin -70.7%); below-average price stability (36th percentile). Each of these factors independently widens the distribution of potential outcomes, and in combination they create a risk profile that demands careful position sizing. The stability factor at the 36th percentile and quality factor at the 41th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 99% provide a buffer against cost pressures. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile warrants caution and disciplined position management.

We rate AGENUS INC's capital allocation as Poor. Key concerns include negative profitability, weak asset returns (ROA -25.5%). Exemplary capital allocators generate ROE above 20% and maintain conservative leverage — AGENUS INC significantly underperforms these benchmarks, raising questions about management's ability to create shareholder value.

Investors should scrutinize management's reinvestment decisions and balance sheet trajectory before committing capital. Poor capital allocation often compounds over time: overlevered balance sheets limit strategic flexibility, while low returns on capital destroy shareholder value. We would need to see sustained improvement in profitability metrics and balance sheet discipline before considering an upgrade.

In summary, AGENUS INC receives a Avoid rating with a composite score of 35.8/100 (rank #4026 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a No Moat (37/100, trend: stable), High uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 35/100.

Our analysis does not support a constructive view on AGENUS INC at this time. The combination of limited competitive advantages, high uncertainty, and poor capital allocation suggests unfavorable risk-reward at current levels. We recommend investors avoid new positions and existing holders consider reducing exposure.