- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Revenue
- Valuation
Upturn AI Summary - About
Acco Brands Corporation(ACCO)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for ACCO
10/28/2026: ACCO (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Acco Brands is a consumer goods company specializing in branded school, home, and office supplies. The company benefits from a portfolio of well-known legacy brands like Five Star and Swingline, which maintain a presence in major retail distribution channels. The main investment story centers on operational efficiency and a pivot toward tech-enabled accessories to offset declines in traditional stationery products. Primary risks include significant debt, fierce competition from private-label brands, and the secular decline in paper-based office supplies. This stock may suit investors focused on turnarounds or value, provided they monitor the company's ongoing efforts to reduce leverage and improve margins.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Weak fit | The company operates in a mature industry with limited top-line growth prospects. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock has generally lacked strong bullish momentum signals in recent periods. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The company may appear attractive on a price-to-earnings basis, though the debt profile requires close scrutiny. |
| Dividend investor | Mixed fit | Dividend policy is subject to change based on the company's deleveraging goals and free cash flow needs. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | High leverage and exposure to secular decline create volatility that may not suit conservative profiles. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium / high | The stock can react significantly to small changes in quarterly guidance or macroeconomic sentiment. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | While the stock may look cheap, the valuation reflects concerns over structural industry decline. |
| Competition risk (private label/retailer substitution) | High | Competition from lower-cost private label brands at major retailers places constant downward pressure on pricing. |
| Business quality | Medium | The company owns strong, recognizable brands but operates in a sector with high commoditization. |
| Dividend income | Medium | Payouts are not guaranteed and are secondary to balance sheet repair. |
| Execution risk | Medium / high | Successful transformation requires disciplined operational execution amidst a challenging retail environment. |
Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Moderately Choppy
The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -24.93% | Avg. Invested days 46 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | Stock Returns Performance |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals 
Financial Health Rating 
Growth Momentum Score 
Ownership 
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue) 
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile 
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 413.54M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 7.23 | 1Y Target Price 8 |
Price to earnings Ratio 7.23 | 1Y Target Price 8 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 674.9K shares | Beta 1.18 | 52 Weeks Range 2.71 - 4.74 | Updated Date 10/28/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 2.71 - 4.74 | Updated Date 10/28/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 6.70% | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.62 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| School Products | Five Star binders, notebooks, and academic planning supplies sold to retailers and educational institutions. | Steady recurring demand during back-to-school seasons, though highly seasonal. |
| Office & Business Supplies | Swingline staplers, laminators, and professional organization tools. | Facing long-term pressure from paperless office trends. |
| Technology Accessories | Kensington laptop docks, security locks, and ergonomic peripherals. | Provides exposure to modern remote work trends but competes against major tech players. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-10-29 | When After Market | Estimate 0.19 | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 3.74% | Operating Margin (TTM) 8.46% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 2.82% | Return on Equity (TTM) 8.85% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 7.23 | Forward PE 4.77 | Enterprise Value 1.31B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.26 |
Enterprise Value 1.31B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.26 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.84 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 6.83 | Shares Outstanding 92.31M | Shares Floating 88.04M |
Shares Outstanding 92.31M | Shares Floating 88.04M | ||
Percent Insiders 2.66 | Percent Institutions 83.12 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.
All company names, trademarks, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and logos does not imply endorsement by their respective owners.

