GASS

We rate StealthGas Inc. (GASS) as a Buy with a composite score of 68.2/100 at a current price of $8.54. The stock scores above average across the majority of our six quantitative factors and ranks #147 out of 7,333 stocks in our universe, reflecting a favorable risk-reward profile.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in value (90th percentile) and quality (73th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. All factors score above the 40th percentile, indicating no material weakness in the quantitative profile. We assign a Wide Moat rating (74/100), Low uncertainty, and Exemplary capital allocation.

Key items to watch: quarterly earnings execution and sector-level competitive dynamics. 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.

StealthGas Inc. holds a mid-tier position (#30 of 50) within the Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 68.2/100 places it at rank #147 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $204M in market capitalization, StealthGas Inc. is a small-cap player in the Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

The near-term outlook is constructive, with revenue growing at 17% and momentum in the 67th 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 42th percentile indicates reinvestment patterns that investors should monitor for sustainability.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 100% (+44.9pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 36% (+18.2pp vs sector) and net margins of 41.8%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 42%. This efficient conversion suggests well-controlled operating costs and limited margin leakage between the gross and net levels.

At a current price of $8.54, StealthGas Inc. appears undervalued relative to its fundamentals. Our value factor score of 90/100 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. The stock screens as attractively priced on a majority of these measures, suggesting the market may be underappreciating the underlying fundamentals.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 4.3x (a 75% discount to the sector median of 16.9x), EV/EBITDA of 0.9x (discounted to peers), P/B of 0.5x, P/S of 0.5x. The below-sector P/E suggests possible undervaluation or the market pricing in near-term headwinds.

We assign a Low uncertainty rating to StealthGas Inc.. The company exhibits strong financial stability with a beta of 0.60, conservative leverage (14% D/E), and a stability factor in the 64th percentile. The predictable nature of the business model and solid financial position reduce the range of potential outcomes, giving us confidence in our fair value estimate.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: low beta of 0.60 — while defensive, this may indicate limited upside participation in bull markets. 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 64th percentile and quality factor at the 73th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 100% provide a buffer against cost pressures; conservative leverage (14% D/E) limits balance sheet risk; above-average stability (64th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile is favorable for long-term investors.

We rate StealthGas Inc.'s capital allocation as Exemplary. Management demonstrates a strong track record of balancing reinvestment with shareholder returns, evidenced by returns on equity of 44.6%, disciplined leverage (14% D/E), best-in-class net margins of 41.8%. Exemplary allocators typically generate returns on equity above 20% while maintaining debt-to-equity below 50% — StealthGas Inc. meets 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 38.2% 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, StealthGas Inc. receives a Buy rating with a composite score of 68.2/100 (rank #147 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Wide Moat (74/100, trend: stable), Low uncertainty, and Exemplary capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 67/100.

Our analysis supports a constructive view on StealthGas Inc.. The combination of a wide competitive moat, low uncertainty, and exemplary capital allocation creates a risk-reward profile that favors accumulation at current levels. We recommend investors consider adding this name to portfolios aligned with the stock's risk profile.