Cleveland-Cliffs Inc logo

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc(CLF)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
2-STAR RATING
SELL
SELL for 3 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
-20.07% ▼
LAST CLOSE
$12.26
11/09/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CLF

11/09/2026: CLF (2-star) is a SELL. SELL for 3 days. Simulated Profits (-20.07%). Updated daily EoD!

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc is a vertically integrated North American steel producer and iron ore miner. Its primary strength lies in its ability to control the supply chain from the mine to finished steel, a model that enhances cost stability. The company's investment story centers on its focus on high-value steel products, such as electrical steel, and long-standing relationships with the automotive sector. Key risks include the cyclical nature of the steel industry, vulnerability to automotive production levels, and significant debt loads from past acquisitions. It may best suit value-oriented investors who can tolerate cyclical volatility, and stakeholders should monitor debt-reduction progress and trade policy developments.

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 styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe growth narrative has shifted from rapid acquisition-based expansion to organic efficiency and margin improvement.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum is highly conditional on steel price spikes and positive industrial macro signals.
Value investorStrong fitThe stock often trades at low valuation multiples due to the cyclicality and commodity-heavy nature of its business.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company has historically prioritized debt repayment and capital reinvestment over steady dividend growth.
Low-risk investorWeak fitHigh volatility associated with commodity pricing and industrial cycles makes it unsuitable for low-risk portfolios.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighSteel prices are highly cyclical and directly impact quarterly earnings and margins.
Valuation riskMediumMarket sentiment often swings significantly, leading to rapid re-valuations based on economic cycles.
Competition risk (EAF steel makers)Medium / highLower-cost EAF competitors can exert pricing pressure on commodity steel grades.
Business qualityMediumIntegration provides a quality moat, but the capital-intensive nature of steelmaking limits long-term cash returns.
Dividend incomeLowDividends are not the primary focus of the company's capital allocation strategy.
Execution riskMediumSuccessfully integrating and maintaining large legacy assets requires consistent operational discipline.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

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

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -28.53%
Avg. Invested days 33
Today’s Advisory SELL
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/09/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CLF receives a 2-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CLF has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with soft financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-96.0%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -5.5%), slightly negative revenue growth (-3.0%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CLF's financial health is soft, with the relatively strongest area being moderate liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 15.7%). Profitability is weak (1 stars), which helps explain the 2-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
CLF's growth profile is soft, with the least-weak measure being revenue growth at -3.0% FY2025 versus FY2024. By comparison, while earnings growth (-96.0%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-73.4%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 84.1% and approximately 98.9% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.86%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 9.76%
State Street Corp 5.83%
Slate Path Capital LP 4.98%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.52%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 4.41%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CLF generates approximately $-41 of gross profit, $-73 of operating income, and $-55 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Operating losses and cash burn explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 28.99%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CLF has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while elevated volatility.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedHigh VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 6.54B USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 14.35
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 14.35
Volume (30-day avg) 23.3M shares
Beta 1.98
52 Weeks Range 7.73 - 15.35
Updated Date 11/08/2026
52 Weeks Range 7.73 - 15.35
Updated Date 11/08/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -0.83

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Steel ProductsFlat-rolled, stainless, and electrical steel products for automotive and infrastructure markets.This is the core revenue engine driven by industrial and automotive steel demand.
Mining and PelletizingIron ore mining in Michigan and Minnesota used for internal steel production and external sales.This provides cost stability and vertical integration that acts as a hedge against raw material price swings.
Geography: North AmericaFull production and distribution operations within the US and Canada.Revenue is highly sensitive to US domestic economic and industrial policy.

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 2026-10-19
When Before Market
Estimate 0.24
Actual 0.28

Profitability

Profit Margin -2.36%
Operating Margin (TTM) 6.7%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) -0.11%
Return on Equity (TTM) -7.27%

Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 10.42
Enterprise Value 14.11B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.33
Enterprise Value 14.11B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.33
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.7
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 14.53
Shares Outstanding 570.58M
Shares Floating 564.47M
Shares Outstanding 570.58M
Shares Floating 564.47M
Percent Insiders 0.86
Percent Institutions 84.15

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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