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Upturn AI Summary - About
Compass Minerals International Inc(CMP)
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)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CMP
10/12/2026: CMP (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Compass Minerals is a mature company specializing in salt production and specialty plant nutrition products. Its core business strength lies in low-cost, multi-decade salt mining assets that provide essential services to municipal winter maintenance. The main investment story centers on the potential to unlock new value through lithium brine extraction and improved agricultural nutrition margins. Investors must weigh these opportunities against risks like high financial leverage and sensitivity to unpredictable, mild winter weather, which can significantly dampen performance. The stock is generally better suited for investors comfortable with cyclicality and operational execution risks, rather than those seeking consistent dividends or low-volatility growth.
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 | Growth is currently constrained by cyclical weather reliance and heavy debt loads. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock has lacked sustained upward momentum due to operational and balance sheet concerns. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | Valuation may appear attractive to some, but fundamental risks regarding debt and weather cycles remain high. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | Dividend reliability is low given recent cuts to shore up the balance sheet. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | High volatility driven by weather and debt levels makes this unsuitable for low-risk profiles. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | High | Weather-dependent revenue causes significant swings in quarterly performance. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | The stock price is heavily influenced by expectations regarding future lithium development and debt management. |
| Competition risk (Salt and Fertilizer markets) | Medium | Competitors like Nutrien and private salt providers pressure margins in key segments. |
| Business quality | Medium | Mining assets are high quality, but the business remains sensitive to external environmental factors. |
| Dividend income | Low | Income generation is no longer a primary feature of the investment thesis. |
| Execution risk | High | Successful development of new ventures like lithium extraction is complex and capital-intensive. |
Price Behavior
Rolling Over
The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.
Moderately Choppy
The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 1.79% | Avg. Invested days 29 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/12/2026 |
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 956.74M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 54.26 | 1Y Target Price 29.5 |
Price to earnings Ratio 54.26 | 1Y Target Price 29.5 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 384.2K shares | Beta 1.26 | 52 Weeks Range 16.40 - 34.50 | Updated Date 10/11/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 16.40 - 34.50 | Updated Date 10/11/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.42 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Salt | Highway deicing salt, water softener salt, and industrial salt. | The company makes the majority of its money selling salt for keeping roads safe and water clean. |
| Plant Nutrition | Sulfate of potash and specialty micronutrients. | This segment provides agricultural fertilizers to help farmers improve crop yields. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 54.26 | Forward PE 14.77 | Enterprise Value 1.69B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.74 |
Enterprise Value 1.69B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.74 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.33 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 7.93 | Shares Outstanding 41.98M | Shares Floating 39.34M |
Shares Outstanding 41.98M | Shares Floating 39.34M | ||
Percent Insiders 23.25 | Percent Institutions 78.27 |
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.
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