NCSM

We rate NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. (NCSM) as a Hold with a composite score of 56.8/100 at a current price of $37.96. 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 value (63th percentile) and quality (62th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in momentum (38th percentile) and investment (43th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a Narrow Moat rating (42/100), Low uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation.

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

NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Mining sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 56.8/100 places it at rank #1054 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $130M in market capitalization, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. is a small-cap player in the Mining space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

Revenue is growing at 57%, though momentum at the 38th 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 42% (-1.2pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 4% (-8.1pp vs sector) and net margins of 8.3%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 20%. This conversion rate is typical for the sector, suggesting a standard cost structure without notable efficiency advantages or disadvantages.

At a current price of $37.96, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 63/100 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 6.7x (a 51% discount to the sector median of 13.7x), EV/EBITDA of 12.1x (at a premium), P/B of 0.8x, P/S of 0.6x. The below-sector P/E suggests possible undervaluation or the market pricing in near-term headwinds.

We assign a Low uncertainty rating to NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.. The company exhibits strong financial stability with a beta of 0.63, conservative leverage (27% D/E), and a stability factor in the 55th 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 0.63 — 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 55th percentile and quality factor at the 62th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 42% provide a buffer against cost pressures; conservative leverage (27% 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 is favorable for long-term investors.

We rate NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.'s capital allocation as Standard. Management has shown adequate — though not exceptional — stewardship of shareholder capital. Returns on equity stand at 11.9%, and the balance sheet is managed within acceptable parameters (D/E: 27%). Exemplary allocators typically sustain ROE above 20% and D/E below 50%; NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. falls short on at least one dimension.

There is room for improvement in optimizing the capital structure or enhancing shareholder returns. Absent a dividend, the overall capital allocation framework would benefit from either higher reinvestment returns, improved balance sheet efficiency, or increased shareholder distributions. We will monitor for signs of strategic improvement that could warrant an upgrade.

In summary, NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 56.8/100 (rank #1054 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Narrow Moat (42/100, trend: stable), Low uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 52/100.

Our analysis supports a neutral stance on NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc.. 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.