The score is primarily constrained by multi-year net losses and weak cash generation (negative free cash flow and negative operating cash flow in 2024). Technical indicators are broadly neutral with only mild positive momentum, while valuation is hampered by a negative P/E and no dividend support.
Positive Factors
Revenue Rebound
A 22.8% revenue rebound in 2024 indicates recovering demand for rolling-stock components and stronger series-production program activity. Sustained top-line growth helps absorb fixed costs, supports capacity utilization, and provides a foundation to restore operating profitability over multiple quarters.
Healthy Gross Margins
Mid-40% gross margins reflect structurally productive manufacturing and value-added engineering content in rail subsystems. Stable margins provide a durable buffer to cover SG&A and R&D, enabling margin recovery as volumes scale without requiring immediate price increases or risky cost cutting.
Moderate Leverage
A low debt-to-equity ratio (~0.29) and a sizeable equity base give financial flexibility for capex, working-capital needs, and contract fulfilment typical in rail manufacturing. Moderate leverage reduces default risk and supports strategic investment even if recovery takes multiple quarters.
Negative Factors
Persistent Net Losses
Multi-year net losses and a negative 2024 EBIT margin indicate structural profitability issues. Continued operating deficits erode retained earnings and hinder reinvestment, increasing reliance on external financing and making it harder to achieve sustained returns for shareholders without clear path to positive operating leverage.
Weak Cash Generation
Negative operating cash flow in the latest year and persistent negative free cash flow show the business is not self-funding. This raises liquidity and execution risk, limits the ability to fund growth or absorb contract timing swings, and may force dependence on debt or equity raises over the medium term.
Rising Debt & Negative ROE
An increase in total debt alongside multi-year negative ROE signals deteriorating capital efficiency. If losses continue, higher leverage can strain interest coverage and restrict investment options, amplifying long-term solvency and shareholder-return risks in a cyclical industrial sector.
SBF AG (CY1K) vs. iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG)
Market Cap
€48.53M
Dividend YieldN/A
Average Volume (3M)1.36K
Price to Earnings (P/E)―
Beta (1Y)0.62
Revenue GrowthN/A
EPS GrowthN/A
CountryDE
Employees313
SectorIndustrials
Sector Strength72
IndustryRailroads
Share Statistics
EPS (TTM)N/A
Shares Outstanding9,706,429
10 Day Avg. Volume374
30 Day Avg. Volume1,358
Financial Highlights & Ratios
PEG Ratio0.33
Price to Book (P/B)0.86
Price to Sales (P/S)0.55
P/FCF Ratio-9.69
Enterprise Value/Market CapN/A
Enterprise Value/RevenueN/A
Enterprise Value/Gross ProfitN/A
Enterprise Value/EbitdaN/A
Forecast
1Y Price TargetN/A
Price Target UpsideN/A
Rating ConsensusN/A
Number of Analyst Covering0
EPS Forecast (FY)N/A
Revenue Forecast (FY)N/A
SBF AG Business Overview & Revenue Model
Company DescriptionSBF AG, through its subsidiary, SBF Spezialleuchten GmbH, engages in the development, manufacture, and distribution of ceiling and lighting systems for indoor and outdoor rail vehicles. The company primarily serves rail vehicle manufacturers. It also provides interior and exterior lighting, as well as ceiling systems for trams, underground and suburban trains, regional trains, and high-speed trains. The company was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in Leipzig, Germany. SBF AG is a subsidiary of ELBER GmbH.
How the Company Makes Money
SBF AG Financial Statement Overview
Summary
Revenue rebounded strongly in 2024 (+22.8% YoY) and leverage is moderate (debt-to-equity ~0.29), but results are weighed down by net losses in 2022–2024, negative operating profit in 2024, and persistently negative free cash flow with operating cash flow turning negative in 2024.
Income Statement
44
Neutral
Revenue rebounded strongly in 2024 (+22.8% YoY) after a slight decline in 2023, and gross margins have held fairly steady around the mid‑40% range. However, profitability has deteriorated versus earlier years: the company posted net losses in 2022–2024, with 2024 operating profit still negative (EBIT margin about -2.6%) and EBITDA roughly break-even. Overall, growth is improving, but earnings quality and margin stability have weakened materially since 2021.
Balance Sheet
66
Positive
Leverage remains moderate with debt-to-equity around 0.29 in 2024, and equity is sizable relative to the asset base, which provides balance-sheet cushion. That said, returns on equity are negative in 2022–2024, reflecting the recent losses, and total debt increased in 2024 versus 2023. Overall balance-sheet risk looks manageable, but sustained losses could pressure equity returns over time.
Cash Flow
35
Negative
Cash generation is inconsistent: operating cash flow swung from positive in 2023 to negative in 2024, and free cash flow is negative across all years shown. While 2024 free cash flow is less negative than 2022, the business is still not self-funding, and negative operating cash flow in the latest year raises execution and working-capital risk. Overall, cash flow remains the weakest part of the financial profile.
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer
This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 04, 2026