SXC

We rate SunCoke Energy, Inc. (SXC) as a Reduce with a composite score of 47.3/100 at a current price of $5.77. The quantitative profile shows weakness across multiple dimensions, suggesting limited upside potential and elevated risk of underperformance relative to peers over the next 12 months.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in stability (67th percentile) and value (62th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in momentum (31th percentile) and investment (31th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a Narrow Moat rating (44/100), Medium uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation.

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

SunCoke Energy, 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 47.3/100 places it at rank #2436 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $691M in market capitalization, SunCoke Energy, 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 3%, though momentum at the 31th 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 100% (+57.5pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 5% (+4.1pp vs sector) and net margins of 4.2%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 4%. 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 $5.77, SunCoke Energy, Inc. is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 62/100 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 6.6x (a 70% discount to the sector median of 22.3x), EV/EBITDA of 12.1x (near the sector median), P/B of 0.8x, P/S of 0.3x. The below-sector P/E suggests possible undervaluation or the market pricing in near-term headwinds.

We assign a Medium uncertainty rating to SunCoke Energy, Inc.. The stock presents a balanced risk profile: significant leverage (109% debt-to-equity) and the combination of leverage (109% D/E) and thin margins (4.2% net) amplifies downside risk. While not risk-free, the core business fundamentals are adequate to withstand moderate economic stress, and the range of potential outcomes around our fair value estimate is manageable.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: significant leverage (109% debt-to-equity); the combination of leverage (109% D/E) and thin margins (4.2% net) amplifies downside risk. 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 67th percentile and quality factor at the 60th 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; above-average stability (67th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics; a 5.88% dividend yield anchors total return. 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 SunCoke Energy, Inc.'s capital allocation as Standard. Management has shown adequate — though not exceptional — stewardship of shareholder capital. Returns on equity stand at 12.8%, and the balance sheet is managed within acceptable parameters (D/E: 109%). Exemplary allocators typically sustain ROE above 20% and D/E below 50%; SunCoke Energy, Inc. falls short on at least one dimension.

There is room for improvement in optimizing the capital structure or enhancing shareholder returns. The 5.88% dividend yield provides some income return, but 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, SunCoke Energy, Inc. receives a Reduce rating with a composite score of 47.3/100 (rank #2436 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Narrow Moat (44/100, trend: stable), Medium uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 50/100.

Our analysis does not support a constructive view on SunCoke Energy, Inc. at this time. The combination of the current quantitative profile, medium uncertainty, and standard capital allocation suggests unfavorable risk-reward at current levels. We recommend investors avoid new positions and existing holders consider reducing exposure.