Clarkson (CKN) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: £1.28B
• Dividend Yield: 2.89%
• Average Volume (3M): 43.54K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 17.0
• Beta (1Y): 0.80
• Revenue Growth: 3.29%
• EPS Growth: -8.76%
• Country: UK
• Employees: 2,181
• Sector: Industrials
• Sector Strength: 72
• Industry: Marine Shipping
• EPS (TTM): 0.99
• Shares Outstanding: 30,913,052
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 36,407
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 43,541
• PEG Ratio: 19.66
• Price to Book (P/B): 2.47
• Price to Sales (P/S): 1.84
• P/FCF Ratio: 11.14
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: N/A
• 1Y Price Target: £4,466.67
• Price Target Upside: 7.24% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Strong Buy
• Number of Analyst Covering: 3
• EPS Forecast (FY): N/A
• Revenue Forecast (FY): N/A

• Rating: 77 Outperform
• Price Target: 4,722.00p ▲(13.37% Upside)

Clarkson PLC demonstrates strong financial performance with robust revenue and profit growth, supported by a solid balance sheet. The technical indicators show a positive trend, though caution is warranted due to potential overbought conditions. The valuation is fair, with a reasonable P/E ratio and attractive dividend yield. Insider share purchases further bolster confidence in the company's prospects.

Positive Factors

Conservative leverage & equity base

Very low leverage (D/E 0.08), solid ROE (17.25%) and a ~54.6% equity ratio give Clarkson durable financial flexibility. This conservatism reduces insolvency risk in cyclical shipping, preserves borrowing capacity for capex or M&A and supports consistent capital returns over cycles.

High gross margins from asset-light model

Extremely high gross margin (94.9%) reflects an asset-light mix of shipbroking, advisory and subscription revenues. Such structural margins indicate pricing power and scalability, enabling resilient profitability and reinvestment even if transaction volumes soften.

Strong operating cash generation

Operating cash flow covering net income by 1.35x, with FCF-to-net income ~1.28, shows reliable cash conversion. Durable cash generation supports sustained dividends, funding of strategic initiatives and operational resilience without heavy reliance on external financing.

Negative Factors

Decline in free cash flow

A near-26% drop in free cash flow materially reduces internal funds available for reinvestment, debt reduction or shareholder returns. If this trend persists it will constrain capital allocation flexibility and weaken Clarkson's ability to absorb prolonged sector downturns.

Operating margin pressure

Slight declines in EBIT and EBITDA margins point to rising costs or lower operational efficiency. Persistent margin compression would erode operating profitability, reduce cash generation and impair the company's ability to maintain returns on capital across shipping cycles.

Negative EPS growth

EPS fell roughly 8.8% despite modest revenue growth, indicating earnings quality pressure—potentially from higher operating costs, one-offs or structural cost increases. Continued EPS decline would hurt shareholder returns and raise questions about sustainable profit-per-share growth.

Clarkson Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Clarkson PLC provides integrated shipping services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Broking, Financial, Support, and Research. The Broking segment offers services to ship owners and charterers in the transportation of various cargoes by sea; and to buyers and sellers/yards related to sale and purchase transactions, as well as futures broking operation. This segment deals in containers, deep sea tankers, dry cargo, liquefied petroleum gas and ammonia, liquefied natural gas, offshore, petrochemical gases, renewables, shortsea, specialized products, sale and purchase, and PCTC markets; and towage, salvage, and transportation markets. The Financial segment provides investment banking services for maritime, oil services, and natural resources sectors; structured asset finance services and projects in the shipping, offshore, and real estate sectors; and freight derivative products. This segment also offers equity and fixed income sales and trading; equity and credit research; and corporate access and corporate finance services, including advising clients on various equity and debt capital markets, and M&A transactions. The Support segment provides port and agency, freight forwarding, supplies, and tools for the marine and offshore industries. The Research segment offers shipping-related information and publications; and collects, validates, analyses, and manages data to inform various business decisions. This segment provides web products, such as Shipping Intelligence Network and World Fleet Register to printed publications, including Shipping Intelligence Weekly and Offshore Intelligence Monthly; data and analysis services for IPO and bond issues; customer service contracts, primarily to the financial, government, insurance, equipment, and shipbuilding sectors; and valuations to owners and the financial community. It also offers research and legal services. The company was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

How the Company Makes Money

Clarkson generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily from shipbroking services, where it earns commissions on transactions facilitated between shipowners and charterers. The company also offers financial and advisory services, providing consulting and market intelligence that contribute to its income. Additionally, Clarkson benefits from subscription fees for its proprietary market research and data analytics, which are valuable to clients seeking insights into shipping trends. Strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders and a strong global presence in key maritime hubs further enhance its revenue-generating capabilities.

Clarkson Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Clarkson's financial position is strong with consistent revenue and profit growth, supported by sound financial management. The company maintains a low debt profile and strong equity base, contributing to financial stability. While cash flow generation is adequate, the decline in free cash flow growth suggests a potential area for improvement.

Income Statement

Clarkson has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with a 3.44% increase from 2023 to 2024. The gross profit margin remains robust at 94.90% in 2024, indicating high profitability relative to revenue. The net profit margin improved slightly to 12.84% in 2024, reflecting efficient cost management. However, EBIT and EBITDA margins have slightly decreased, suggesting a need for better operational efficiency.

Balance Sheet

The debt-to-equity ratio is low at 0.08, indicating conservative leverage. The return on equity in 2024 is a solid 17.25%, showing effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio of 54.63% illustrates a strong equity base relative to total assets, enhancing financial stability and reducing risk.

Cash Flow

Operating cash flow is strong, covering net income by 1.35 times, indicating healthy cash generation from operations. Free cash flow has decreased by 25.99% from 2023 to 2024, which could constrain future investments or debt reduction. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio remains healthy at 1.28.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	649.10M	661.40M	639.40M	603.80M	443.30M	358.20M
Gross Profit	613.80M	627.70M	609.00M	582.00M	426.80M	344.90M
EBITDA	96.20M	134.20M	108.60M	120.10M	86.20M	1.20M
Net Income	75.20M	84.90M	83.80M	75.60M	50.10M	-28.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	774.20M	900.30M	875.60M	832.30M	682.10M	572.70M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	334.80M	493.50M	439.00M	387.90M	271.90M	204.50M
Total Debt	43.80M	38.10M	43.20M	47.60M	53.80M	56.20M
Total Liabilities	280.50M	404.60M	419.00M	419.10M	320.50M	244.30M
Stockholders Equity	491.50M	492.00M	452.60M	409.70M	356.90M	324.10M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	84.30M	109.00M	147.30M	169.30M	107.20M	56.10M
Operating Cash Flow	89.50M	114.70M	155.30M	178.90M	113.80M	65.90M
Investing Cash Flow	-33.10M	-16.80M	-38.60M	-5.40M	14.30M	-28.10M
Financing Cash Flow	-76.80M	-70.70M	-90.00M	-63.20M	-39.90M	-37.90M

Clarkson Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Positive
• Last Price: 4165.00
• 50DMA: Positive
• 100DMA: Positive
• 200DMA: Positive
• MACD: Negative
• RSI: Negative
• STOCH: Negative

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:CKN, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 4165 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 3924.00, above the 50-day MA of 3773.70, and above the 200-day MA of 3488.05, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 117.61 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 74.13 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 85.79 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for GB:CKN.

Clarkson Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
CKN	77 Outperform	£1.28B	16.99	15.43%	2.89%	3.29%	-8.76%
FSJ	73 Outperform	£191.27M	4.19	27.15%	―	-12.37%	―
BMS	64 Neutral	£72.22M	16.97	4.94%	2.25%	-15.64%	-22.46%
Sector *	63 Neutral	$10.79B	15.43	7.44%	2.01%	2.89%	-14.66%

Clarkson Corporate Events

Clarkson PLC Expects 2025 Profit to Reach at Least £90m on Strong Second Half

Clarkson PLC has signalled a strong trading performance for 2025, stating that its underlying profit before tax for the year to 31 December 2025 is expected to be at least £90m, driven by a stronger second half. The update underlines the resilience of Clarksons’ diversified shipping and offshore services franchise and its continued ability to generate robust earnings and cash, reinforcing its long track record of dividend growth and investments aimed at capitalising on opportunities in global shipping markets.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CKN) stock is a Buy with a £4279.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Clarkson stock, see the GB:CKN Stock Forecast page.

Clarksons Buys AI Trading Specialist Zuma Labs to Boost FFA Market Technology

Clarkson PLC has acquired 100% of Zuma Labs Limited, a technology firm serving the Forward Freight Agreement and commodities markets, in a move to strengthen its technology-led offering to shipping, commodities and maritime clients. Zuma’s flagship platform, Venetian, a hybrid voice and electronic trading application powered by its AI engine Prism, is already used by leading broking houses to manage liquidity and live pricing data, and will continue to operate under the Zuma brand as a wholly owned subsidiary. The deal is expected to accelerate the roll-out of Venetian beyond the Dry FFA market and deepen the use of AI-driven tools across Clarksons’ markets, reinforcing the group’s strategy of using advanced technology and data to enhance broker and client engagement in increasingly complex global trading conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CKN) stock is a Buy with a £4279.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Clarkson stock, see the GB:CKN Stock Forecast page.

Clarkson PLC Confirms Total Voting Rights of 30.9 Million Shares

Clarkson PLC has confirmed that its issued share capital at 31 December 2025 comprised 30,913,052 ordinary shares, each carrying one voting right, and that it holds no shares in treasury, resulting in an identical total of 30,913,052 voting rights. This disclosure, made under the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s transparency rules, provides an updated denominator for shareholders and investors when assessing and reporting their ownership stakes, helping maintain clarity over Clarksons’ capital structure and supporting regulatory compliance in the market.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CKN) stock is a Buy with a £4279.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Clarkson stock, see the GB:CKN Stock Forecast page.

Clarkson PLC Announces Total Voting Rights Update

Clarkson PLC announced that its issued share capital consists of 30,901,198 ordinary shares, each carrying one vote, with no shares held in Treasury. This total number of voting rights is crucial for shareholders to determine their interest in the company under the FCA’s rules, impacting how they notify changes in their holdings.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CKN) stock is a Buy with a £3846.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Clarkson stock, see the GB:CKN Stock Forecast page.

Clarkson PLC Announces Total Voting Rights Update

Clarkson PLC has announced its total voting rights as of October 31, 2025, with an issued share capital consisting of 30,789,998 ordinary shares, each carrying one vote. This update is in accordance with the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, providing shareholders with the necessary information for interest notifications. This announcement reflects Clarksons’ commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance, which is crucial for maintaining investor trust and supporting its market position.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CKN) stock is a Buy with a £3846.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Clarkson stock, see the GB:CKN Stock Forecast page.

Clarkson PLC Announces Block Listing of Shares on London Stock Exchange

Clarkson PLC has applied for the block listing of 175,000 Ordinary Shares on the London Stock Exchange, expected to be effective on 27 October 2025. This move is part of the company’s employee share purchase and savings plans, reflecting its ongoing commitment to employee investment and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CKN) stock is a Buy with a £3846.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Clarkson stock, see the GB:CKN Stock Forecast page.

Clarkson PLC Director Purchases Shares, Signaling Confidence

Clarkson PLC announced that Constantin Cotzias, an Independent Non-Executive Director, purchased 742 ordinary shares of the company at 3485 pence per share on 17 October 2025. This transaction, disclosed in accordance with the UK Market Abuse Regulation, reflects insider confidence and could potentially impact stakeholder perceptions positively, reinforcing trust in the company’s market position.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CKN) stock is a Buy with a £3846.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Clarkson stock, see the GB:CKN Stock Forecast page.