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Upturn AI Summary - About
Kadant Inc(KAI)
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 KAI
11/09/2026: KAI (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Kadant Inc is a specialized industrial machinery company known for its mission-critical equipment in the paper, wood, and waste management sectors. The company’s primary strength lies in its high-margin, recurring aftermarket revenue stream and disciplined approach to growth through strategic acquisitions. Investors are attracted to its focus on process efficiency and sustainable technologies, which offer a compelling long-term narrative in the industrial sector. Key risks include exposure to cyclical industrial end-markets and the constant challenge of integrating varied business segments. The stock generally suits growth-oriented investors looking for exposure to high-quality industrial niches, though prospective buyers should monitor macroeconomic industrial spending and capital allocation efficiency.
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 | Strong fit | The company has a consistent track record of compounding earnings through disciplined M&A and organic expansion. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | While the stock often trends with industrial indices, it is not a typical high-beta momentum play. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The company often trades at a premium multiple due to its quality and growth, which may not satisfy deep-value criteria. |
| Dividend investor | Mixed fit | It pays a growing dividend but offers a low yield, making it more of a growth-dividend play than an income-focused one. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | Industrial cyclicality introduces volatility that may be unsuitable for the most risk-averse investors. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | The stock is sensitive to industrial economic cycles and broad market sentiment. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Investors pay for quality, which can lead to valuation compression during market corrections. |
| Competition risk (Industrial machinery) | Medium | Competition from larger, full-service providers can pressure pricing in specific segments. |
| Business quality | Strong | High aftermarket revenue and mission-critical products provide a durable competitive moat. |
| Dividend income | Low | The dividend is reliable but not the primary driver of total return for this stock. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Success depends on the company's ability to integrate acquired entities effectively. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Moderately Choppy
The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 16.63% | Avg. Invested days 38 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | Stock Returns Performance  2.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/09/2026 |
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 Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 3.46B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 29.54 | 1Y Target Price 357.5 |
Price to earnings Ratio 29.54 | 1Y Target Price 357.5 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 134.3K shares | Beta 1.2 | 52 Weeks Range 243.69 - 352.77 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 243.69 - 352.77 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.47% | Basic EPS (TTM) 9.91 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Flow Control | Doctoring, cleaning, and filtration systems for papermaking. | Steady revenue from the replacement and maintenance of critical paper mill parts. |
| Industrial Processing | Wood processing, baling, and recycled plastic machinery. | Capital equipment sales focused on waste reduction and material sustainability. |
| Geography (Global) | Sales across North America, Europe, and Asia. | Well-diversified international revenue base helps mitigate local market downturns. |
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 2026-11-03 | When After Market | Estimate 3 | Actual 3.64 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 9.81% | Operating Margin (TTM) 17.5% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 7.16% | Return on Equity (TTM) 11.74% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 29.54 | Forward PE 21.41 | Enterprise Value 3.77B | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.9 |
Enterprise Value 3.77B | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.9 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 3.16 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 15.26 | Shares Outstanding 11.81M | Shares Floating 11.67M |
Shares Outstanding 11.81M | Shares Floating 11.67M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.71 | Percent Institutions 113.34 |
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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