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Upturn AI SWOT - About
REFR 
Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
07/17/2025: REFR (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
0 Analysts rated it
Very few follow this stock; limited insights, higher-risk early investing.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 4.71% | Avg. Invested days 40 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 07/17/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 55.52M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 0.07 | 52 Weeks Range 0.93 - 2.39 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 0.93 - 2.39 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -0.04 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin -66.15% | Operating Margin (TTM) -42.8% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -20.77% | Return on Equity (TTM) -37.98% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 55767782 | Price to Sales(TTM) 35.1 |
Enterprise Value 55767782 | Price to Sales(TTM) 35.1 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 35.25 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA -24.11 | Shares Outstanding 33648200 | Shares Floating 28665929 |
Shares Outstanding 33648200 | Shares Floating 28665929 | ||
Percent Insiders 14.81 | Percent Institutions 16.53 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Research Frontiers Incorporated
Company Overview
History and Background
Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) was founded in 1965. It is primarily focused on developing and licensing SPD-SmartGlass technology, which controls the amount of light and heat passing through windows and other glazings.
Core Business Areas
- Licensing: REFR's main business is licensing its SPD-SmartGlass technology to manufacturers of glass, plastic, and related products. They receive royalties based on licensees' sales of SPD-SmartGlass products.
- Technical Support: The company provides technical support to its licensees to help them successfully integrate SPD-SmartGlass technology into their products.
Leadership and Structure
Joseph M. Harary serves as the President and CEO. The company has a small management team focused on licensing and technical support.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- SPD-SmartGlass Technology: REFR licenses its patented SPD-SmartGlass technology used in automotive sunroofs, architectural windows, aircraft windows, and eyewear. Competitors include Gentex (auto-dimming mirrors) and other dynamic window technologies. Market share data is difficult to pinpoint precisely, but SPD-SmartGlass holds a substantial portion of the dynamic glazing market. Revenue is derived from royalty payments tied to licensees' sales.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The dynamic glazing market is growing, driven by demand for energy-efficient buildings and enhanced comfort in vehicles. Key trends include increasing adoption of smart windows in residential and commercial construction, as well as automotive and aerospace applications.
Positioning
REFR is a technology licensing company. Their competitive advantage lies in their patented SPD-SmartGlass technology and their established network of licensees.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for dynamic glass is projected to reach billions of dollars. Research Frontiers is positioned to capture a portion of this market through its licensing model, with significant growth opportunities in automotive, architectural, and aerospace markets.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Patented SPD-SmartGlass technology
- Established licensing model
- Diverse application areas (automotive, architectural, aerospace)
- Potential for high royalty income
Weaknesses
- Reliance on licensees' sales performance
- Small company size and limited resources
- Market adoption depends on consumer demand
- Limited control over licensees marketing efforts
Opportunities
- Growing demand for energy-efficient buildings
- Increasing adoption of smart technologies in vehicles
- Expansion into new application areas (e.g., eyewear)
- Strategic partnerships with major manufacturers
Threats
- Competition from alternative dynamic glazing technologies
- Economic downturn impacting construction and automotive industries
- Patent infringement
- Licensee performance issues
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- GNTX
- View, Inc. (VIEW)
Competitive Landscape
Research Frontiers competes with companies offering alternative dynamic glazing technologies. REFR's competitive advantage is its patented SPD-SmartGlass technology, but it faces challenges from larger companies with greater resources and established market positions.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth has been uneven, reflecting the cyclical nature of the construction and automotive industries and the adoption rate of SPD-SmartGlass technology.
Future Projections: Future growth is dependent on increasing adoption of SPD-SmartGlass in key markets. Analyst estimates may vary widely due to the limited coverage and the uncertainty surrounding licensee performance.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include expanding the licensee network, developing new applications for SPD-SmartGlass, and promoting the benefits of the technology to end-users.
Summary
Research Frontiers Incorporated is a licensing company with patented SPD-SmartGlass technology that has strong potential for growth in the dynamic glazing market. Its success depends heavily on the performance of its licensees and broader industry trends. The company's strengths include its unique technology and diverse applications, but its weaknesses lie in its size, reliance on licensees, and competition. The company's lack of acquisitions and minimal dividend history makes it a volatile option. REFR needs to focus on expanding its licensee network and promoting its technology to capture a larger share of the growing market.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company SEC Filings
- Industry Reports
- Company Website
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market share data is estimated and may not be precise. Financial data is based on available information and may not be comprehensive. All investment decisions should be made based on thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Research Frontiers Incorporated
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Woodbury, NY, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1993-12-20 | CEO, President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & Director Mr. Joseph M. Harary J.D. | ||
Sector Technology | Industry Electronic Components | Full time employees 6 | Website https://www.smartglass.com |
Full time employees 6 | Website https://www.smartglass.com | ||
Research Frontiers Incorporated, together with other subsidiary, engages in the development and marketing of technology and devices to control the flow of light worldwide. It develops and licenses suspended particle device (SPD-Smart) light-control technology to companies that manufacture and market the SPD-Smart chemical emulsion, light-control film made from the chemical emulsion, the light-control panels made by laminating the film, and electronics to power end-products incorporating the film, as well as lamination services for and the end-products, such as windows, skylights, and sunroofs. The company's SPD-Smart light-control technology is used in various product applications, including windows, sunshades, skylights, and interior partitions for homes and buildings; automotive windows, sunroofs, sun-visors, sunshades, rear-view mirrors, instrument panels, and navigation systems; aircraft windows; museum display panels, and eyewear products; and flat panel displays for electronic products. It serves architectural, automotive, marine, and aerospace and appliance applications. The company was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Woodbury, New York.
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