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Eastern Co(EML)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
2-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 5 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
-2.72% ▼
LAST CLOSE
$27.21
11/05/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
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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 EML

11/05/2026: EML (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

The Eastern Company is a U.S.-based industrial manufacturer providing specialized hardware and packaging solutions to transportation, logistics, and aerospace markets. Its core strengths include a long operating history, diverse end-market exposure, and a disciplined approach to acquiring high-value niches like its recent move into aerospace precision manufacturing. The primary growth opportunity lies in its expansion into high-barrier sectors, while investors should monitor risks associated with industrial cyclicality, raw material cost volatility, and acquisition integration. The stock is a fit for value and dividend-oriented investors who can tolerate some cyclical volatility in exchange for niche industrial exposure. Future performance depends largely on backlog conversion and operational success.

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 company offers niche growth through aerospace expansion but faces cyclical headwinds in its legacy transportation markets.
Momentum investorWeak fitCurrent technical and market signals do not suggest strong momentum, making this fit conditional on a sustained upturn.
Value investorStrong fitThe stock trades at valuation levels that may interest investors seeking undervalued industrial assets with long-term potential.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe company provides a consistent dividend yield, making it suitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile the company has a long history, its cyclical nature and sensitivity to economic shifts introduce a level of volatility unsuitable for ultra-conservative investors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highThe stock's performance is tied to cyclical industrial demand, leading to sensitivity in market pricing.
Valuation riskMediumWhile often value-priced, the stock's valuation can fluctuate based on perceived success in integrating recent acquisitions.
Competition risk (niche industrial hardware)MediumThe company faces constant pressure from both larger industrial players and lower-cost international manufacturers.
Business qualityMediumThe company demonstrates operational discipline, but its smaller size relative to giants limits its protective moat.
Dividend incomeMediumDividend payouts depend on consistent earnings, which are currently impacted by cyclical revenue challenges.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccess heavily depends on the effective integration of new acquisitions like Sungear to drive future margins.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

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

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 24.55%
Avg. Invested days 40
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/05/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
EML receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, soft analyst coverage, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
EML has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong earnings growth (+160.0%) is partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 2.0%), negative revenue growth (-8.7%), soft profitability (net margin 2.1%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
EML's financial health is supported by solid liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 33.1%). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is EML's strongest growth driver at +160.0% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-8.7%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-54.8%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 76.5% and approximately 80.8% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 8.09% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Barington Capital Group L P 10.80%
Minerva Advisors LLC 9.08%
Gamco Investors, Inc. Et Al 8.38%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 6.42%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 3.78%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
EML generates approximately $226 of gross profit, $41 of operating income, and $20 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Weak margins explain the 2-star rating, with moderate cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 20.33%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
EML has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedSmall / Mid Cap RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 173.37M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 25.05
1Y Target Price -
Price to earnings Ratio 25.05
1Y Target Price -
Volume (30-day avg) 9.1K shares
Beta 0.89
52 Weeks Range 17.34 - 29.78
Updated Date 11/04/2026
52 Weeks Range 17.34 - 29.78
Updated Date 11/04/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.53%
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.15

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Transportation ComponentsMirror assemblies, truck accessories, and vision systems for OEM and aftermarket channels.This is a primary revenue driver tied to the production cycles of commercial trucks and vehicles.
Industrial HardwareLatches, handles, hinges, and locks for diverse industrial equipment.Stable, high-margin niche components that serve a wide array of equipment manufacturers.
Returnable PackagingCustom reusable packaging for automotive and aerospace assembly lines.Services long-cycle industrial assembly processes, providing recurring demand.
Aerospace & DefensePrecision manufacturing components for long-cycle aerospace programs.The company's newest growth pillar, providing exposure to stable, multi-year government and private aerospace contracts.

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 25.05
Forward PE 9.61
Enterprise Value 218.79M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.74
Enterprise Value 218.79M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.74
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.93
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 11.19
Shares Outstanding 6.02M
Shares Floating 4.86M
Shares Outstanding 6.02M
Shares Floating 4.86M
Percent Insiders 8.09
Percent Institutions 76.53

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.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.