Knowles Cor logo

Knowles Cor(KN)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$32.87
11/02/2026
(24-hour delay)

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)
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 KN

11/02/2026: KN (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Knowles Corporation is a specialized designer and manufacturer of high-performance acoustic and precision electronic components, primarily serving the mobile, medical, and industrial sectors. The company is recognized for its strong engineering expertise and a leading position in MEMS microphones, which serves as a core strength. Its investment story centers on pivoting toward higher-margin specialty components while leveraging new opportunities in automotive and AI-enabled sensing. Key risks include significant reliance on cyclical consumer electronics demand and intense pricing pressure from low-cost competitors. The stock may suit growth-oriented investors looking for semiconductor-adjacent plays, though it is best monitored for progress in diversifying revenue streams away from legacy mobile markets.

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 fitGrowth is largely dependent on the maturation of new sensor markets rather than rapid consumer electronics expansion.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveThe stock can exhibit momentum during periods of significant product cycle wins in the mobile industry.
Value investorStrong fitOften trades at reasonable valuation multiples relative to peers given its consistent margins in specialty segments.
Dividend investorWeak fitDoes not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorMixed fitSubject to the volatility of the cyclical semiconductor and consumer electronics end markets.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highThe stock is sensitive to quarterly fluctuations in the consumer electronics supply chain.
Valuation riskMediumValuation is often tied to cyclical semiconductor cycles which can be unpredictable.
Competition risk (Pricing and commoditization)HighAggressive pricing from competitors in the MEMS microphone space poses a constant margin risk.
Business qualityMedium / highThe company has strong engineering capabilities and high barriers to entry in its niche specialty segments.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThere is no dividend income for shareholders.
Execution riskMediumSuccessful integration of acquisitions and transition to new market segments is critical for growth.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

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 50.97%
Avg. Invested days 56
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
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 11/02/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
KN receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
KN has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, solid growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong earnings growth (+118.5%) and solid cash generation (FCF margin 13.8%) are partially offset by moderate revenue growth (+7.2%), soft profitability (net margin 7.5%), modest insider ownership of 1.80%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
KN's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (13.8% of revenue). Profitability is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is KN's strongest growth driver at +118.5% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (+7.2%, moderate) and free-cash-flow growth (-29.7%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 104.8% and approximately 98.5% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 1.80% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 16.27%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 8.06%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 5.92%
The Goldman Sachs Group Inc 5.34%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.37%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
KN generates approximately $412 of gross profit, $131 of operating income, and $138 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Moderate margins and solid cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is soft.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 20.47%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
KN has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

High VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 2.78B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 37.78
1Y Target Price 44
Price to earnings Ratio 37.78
1Y Target Price 44
Volume (30-day avg) 723.6K shares
Beta 1.59
52 Weeks Range 20.57 - 42.93
Updated Date 11/01/2026
52 Weeks Range 20.57 - 42.93
Updated Date 11/01/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.87

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
AudioMEMS microphones, voice processing software, and acoustic systems for mobile/wearables.The bread and butter segment; highly dependent on smartphone shipment volumes.
Precision DevicesCapacitors, filters, and oscillators for medical, industrial, and defense markets.Higher-margin, stable segment that provides critical diversification from consumer trends.

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 2026-10-22
When After Market
Estimate 0.3
Actual 0.32

Profitability

Profit Margin 10.76%
Operating Margin (TTM) 17.5%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 5.86%
Return on Equity (TTM) 9.86%

Valuation

Trailing PE 37.78
Forward PE 15.24
Enterprise Value 2.87B
Price to Sales(TTM) 4.18
Enterprise Value 2.87B
Price to Sales(TTM) 4.18
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.31
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 20.62
Shares Outstanding 84.72M
Shares Floating 83.45M
Shares Outstanding 84.72M
Shares Floating 83.45M
Percent Insiders 1.8
Percent Institutions 104.76

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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