LENZ

We rate LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. (LENZ) as Avoid with a composite score of 37.0/100 at a current price of $12.83. 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 (48th percentile) and quality (47th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in momentum (18th percentile) and investment (25th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a No Moat rating (28/100), High uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation.

Key items to watch: momentum to confirm whether the current price trend has legs; 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.

LENZ Therapeutics, 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 37.0/100 places it at rank #3908 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $1.3B in market capitalization, LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. is a small-cap player in the Manufacturing space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

Momentum indicators (18th percentile) suggest caution regarding the near-term price trend. Revenue growth data is unavailable, limiting our ability to confirm whether momentum is fundamentally supported.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 100% (+57.5pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of -244% (-245.4pp vs sector) and net margins of -215.9%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of -216%. 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 $12.83, LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 48/100 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 P/B of 1.9x, P/S of 20.7x. We evaluate these multiples in the context of both absolute levels and sector-relative positioning to form our valuation view.

We assign a High uncertainty rating to LENZ Therapeutics, Inc.. Key risk factors include elevated market sensitivity (beta of 1.42), current negative profitability (net margin -215.9%), below-average price stability (35th 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 1.42); current negative profitability (net margin -215.9%); below-average price stability (35th 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 35th percentile and quality factor at the 47th 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 (9% 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 LENZ Therapeutics, Inc.'s capital allocation as Poor. Key concerns include low returns on equity (-29.1%), negative profitability, weak asset returns (ROA -26.8%). Exemplary capital allocators generate ROE above 20% and maintain conservative leverage — LENZ Therapeutics, 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, LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. receives a Avoid rating with a composite score of 37.0/100 (rank #3908 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a No Moat (28/100, trend: stable), High uncertainty, and Poor capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 34/100.

Our analysis does not support a constructive view on LENZ Therapeutics, 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.