CRDO

We rate Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (CRDO) as a Hold with a composite score of 51.7/100 at a current price of $119.75. The stock presents a mixed quantitative picture — neither compelling enough to warrant new accumulation nor weak enough to justify selling for existing holders. Our factors are split, and the overall profile suggests patience is warranted.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in quality (74th percentile) and momentum (61th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in investment (21th percentile) and stability (29th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a Narrow Moat rating (63/100), High uncertainty, and Exemplary capital allocation.

Key items to watch: sustainability of the current growth rate. 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.

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd 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 51.7/100 places it at rank #1742 in our full 7,333-stock universe. With a $32.5B market capitalization, Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd operates at meaningful scale within the Manufacturing sector, providing competitive advantages in distribution, procurement, and customer reach.

The near-term outlook is constructive, with revenue growing at 349% and momentum in the 61th percentile confirming positive market sentiment and institutional accumulation. The combination of strong top-line growth and favorable price dynamics suggests the company is executing well on its growth strategy. Investment factor at the 21th percentile indicates reinvestment patterns that investors should monitor for sustainability.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 65% (+22.9pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 16% (+14.8pp vs sector) and net margins of 18.8%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 29%. This conversion rate is typical for the sector, suggesting a standard cost structure without notable efficiency advantages or disadvantages.

At a current price of $119.75, Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 55/100 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 130.9x (a 488% premium to the sector median of 22.3x), EV/EBITDA of 142.4x (at a premium), P/B of 17.4x, P/S of 32.1x. The above-sector P/E multiple suggests the market is pricing in superior growth or quality, which our analysis partially supports given strong quality metrics.

We assign a High uncertainty rating to Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd. Key risk factors include elevated market sensitivity (beta of 2.62), below-average price stability (29th percentile), elevated valuation multiple (P/E 130.9x) that leaves limited margin for error. 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 2.62); below-average price stability (29th percentile); elevated valuation multiple (P/E 130.9x) that leaves limited margin for error. 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 29th percentile and quality factor at the 74th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 65% provide a buffer against cost pressures; conservative leverage (13% D/E) limits balance sheet risk. 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 Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd's capital allocation as Exemplary. Management demonstrates a strong track record of balancing reinvestment with shareholder returns, evidenced by disciplined leverage (13% D/E), best-in-class net margins of 18.8%. Exemplary allocators typically generate returns on equity above 20% while maintaining debt-to-equity below 50% — Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd approaches this high bar.

The balance sheet remains conservatively managed, providing financial flexibility for opportunistic investments while maintaining a margin of safety for shareholders. We note that the combination of 11.8% return on assets and controlled leverage suggests management is deploying capital at rates well above the cost of capital — the hallmark of exemplary stewardship.

In summary, Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 51.7/100 (rank #1742 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Narrow Moat (63/100, trend: stable), High uncertainty, and Exemplary capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 48/100.

Our analysis supports a neutral stance on Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd. While the quantitative profile is not weak enough to warrant selling, it lacks the multi-factor strength required for a buy recommendation. Existing holders should maintain positions and monitor for catalysts — either fundamental improvement or valuation compression — that would shift the risk-reward balance.