Sono-Tek Corp logo

Sono-Tek Corp(SOTK)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$5.1
09/28/2026
(24-hour delay)

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*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for SOTK

09/28/2026: SOTK (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Sono-Tek Corp is a specialized industrial company known for its proprietary ultrasonic spray technology used in high-precision coating applications. The company leverages its niche technical expertise to serve electronics, medical, and energy markets, often generating higher margins through specialized precision solutions. A key investment story is the adoption of its systems in emerging green energy sectors like battery manufacturing. Risks include the cyclical nature of industrial spending, concentration in electronics, and competition from much larger, well-capitalized firms. It is generally suited for investors seeking exposure to advanced manufacturing niches, though the lack of a dividend and potential stock volatility may make it less suitable for income-focused or risk-averse portfolios.

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 growth potential through niche technology adoption but operates in a cyclical capital equipment market.
Momentum investorMixed fitThe stock can exhibit momentum during strong industrial cycle upswings, contingent on positive revenue catalysts.
Value investorMixed fitValuation is often tied to cyclical expectations, making entry timing critical for value-oriented investors.
Dividend investorWeak fitSono-Tek does not prioritize dividend payments, focusing instead on capital reinvestment.
Low-risk investorWeak fitAs a small-cap industrial firm, the stock is subject to price volatility and sector-specific risks.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighSmall-cap stocks often experience higher price swings compared to larger industrial equities.
Valuation riskMediumInvestors must weigh the potential for growth against the cyclical valuation multiples typical of this sector.
Competition risk (Industrial Automation)Medium / highLarger, better-capitalized competitors can outspend SOTK in R&D and distribution.
Business qualityMediumWhile the technology is proprietary, the company's scale and concentration create inherent business risks.
Dividend incomeLow / noneInvestors should not rely on this stock for consistent income generation.
Execution riskMediumSuccess depends on accurately navigating specialized end-markets and managing project-based revenue streams.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

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

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -26.24%
Avg. Invested days 35
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 09/28/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

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

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
SOTK has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with solid financial health, solid growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, strong earnings growth (+41.8%) and solid cash generation (FCF margin 14.4%) are partially offset by moderate revenue growth (+2.0%), soft profitability (net margin 8.6%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
SOTK's financial health is supported by solid liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 61.4%). Profitability is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 4-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is SOTK's strongest growth driver at +5273.5% FY2026 versus FY2025 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, earnings growth (+41.8%, strong) is also strong, while revenue growth (+2.0%, moderate) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 42.9% and approximately 49.3% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 15.75% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 2.30%
Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co 1.02%
Geode Capital Management, LLC 0.87%
Renaissance Technologies Corp 0.57%
M&T Bank Corp 0.51%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
SOTK generates approximately $505 of gross profit, $87 of operating income, and $144 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Moderate margins and solid cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is moderate.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 20.35%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
SOTK has a high-quality, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Quality TiltLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap Risk

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 80.16M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 39.23
1Y Target Price 7.5
Price to earnings Ratio 39.23
1Y Target Price 7.5
Volume (30-day avg) 54.1K shares
Beta -0.02
52 Weeks Range 3.40 - 6.24
Updated Date 09/28/2026
52 Weeks Range 3.40 - 6.24
Updated Date 09/28/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.13

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Equipment SalesCustom-engineered ultrasonic spray systems for industrial, medical, and electronic applications.This is the primary driver of top-line revenue, dependent on capital spending by industrial clients.
AftermarketReplacement nozzles, components, and maintenance services for installed base equipment.This segment provides recurring revenue and typically carries higher margins than equipment sales.
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Valuation

Trailing PE 39.23
Forward PE -
Enterprise Value 59.26M
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.74
Enterprise Value 59.26M
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.74
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.76
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 20.63
Shares Outstanding 15.72M
Shares Floating 7.74M
Shares Outstanding 15.72M
Shares Floating 7.74M
Percent Insiders 15.75
Percent Institutions 42.87

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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.

About Sono-Tek Corp

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters Milton, NY, United States
IPO Launch date 1987-05-06
President, CEO & Director Mr. R. Stephen Harshbarger
Sector Technology
Industry Scientific & Technical Instruments
Full time employees 79
Full time employees 79

Sono-Tek Corporation designs and manufactures ultrasonic coating systems for applying on parts and components for the microelectronics/electronics, alternative energy, medical, industrial, and research and development/other markets. The company offers custom-engineered ultrasonic coating systems and nozzles and generators. It also provides integrated multi-axis coating systems, integrated coating systems, fluxing systems, OEM systems, and other related systems. In addition, the company offers surface coating solutions and application consulting services. It markets and distributes its products through direct sales personnel, select independent distributors, and sales representatives. The company operates in Mexico, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Sono-Tek Corporation was incorporated in 1975 and is headquartered in Milton, New York.