James Cropper (CRPR) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: £38.22M
• Dividend Yield: N/A
• Average Volume (3M): 6.59K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): ―
• Beta (1Y): 1.05
• Revenue Growth: 4.99%
• EPS Growth: 56.79%
• Country: UK
• Employees: 600
• Sector: Basic Materials
• Sector Strength: 58
• Industry: Paper, Lumber & Forest Products
• EPS (TTM): 0.21
• Shares Outstanding: 9,554,803
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 5,968
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 6,589
• PEG Ratio: -0.08
• Price to Book (P/B): 0.67
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.14
• P/FCF Ratio: 2.42
• 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: N/A
• Price Target Upside: N/A
• Rating Consensus: N/A
• Number of Analyst Covering: 0
• EPS Forecast (FY): N/A
• Revenue Forecast (FY): N/A

• Rating: 60 Neutral
• Price Target: 415.00p ▲(5.06% Upside)

James Cropper's stock score is primarily supported by strong technical momentum and positive corporate events. However, financial performance challenges, particularly in profitability and valuation concerns due to negative earnings, weigh down the score.

Positive Factors

High gross profit margin

A sustained gross margin of ~64% indicates efficient production and pricing power in specialty papers and materials. This structural margin buffer supports reinvestment in innovation and sustainability, cushions operating volatility and underpins longer-term cash generation potential.

Significant free cash flow improvement

Near-doubling of free cash flow signals stronger cash conversion from operations, improving financial flexibility. Durable FCF growth enables debt reduction, targeted capex for advanced materials, or strategic investment in sustainable packaging, supporting long-term resilience.

Diversified, sustainability-focused business mix

A diversified product set across premium paper, sustainable packaging and technical fibres plus brand partnerships creates stable demand streams. Sustainability and luxury-market exposure support structural pricing power and differentiation versus commodity paper peers over the medium term.

Negative Factors

Negative net profit margin

A negative net margin shows the company is not yet converting strong gross margins into bottom-line profits. Persistent losses undermine retained earnings, restrict investment choices and make it harder to fund growth without improving operating efficiency or relying on external financing.

Elevated leverage and negative ROE

A D/E around 1.15 with negative ROE raises financial risk: interest burdens amplify earnings volatility and limit strategic flexibility. With losses on the equity base, leverage can hinder recovery and make the company sensitive to demand shocks or higher financing costs.

Modest revenue growth with negative operating margins

Low single-digit top-line growth coupled with negative EBIT/EBITDA suggests the core business struggles to scale profitably. Without sustainable revenue acceleration or cost restructuring, the firm may face structural margin pressure and limited capacity to improve returns over time.

James Cropper Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

James Cropper PLC manufactures and sells papers products and advanced materials. It operates through Paper, Colourform, and Technical Fibre Products segments. The company offers specialty papers and boards; and moulded fiber products, as well as converts paper. It also manufactures nonwovens material used in zero solutions, aerospace and defense, fire protection, construction, and transportation. It has operations in the United Kingdom, other European countries, Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Africa. James Cropper PLC was founded in 1845 and is headquartered in Kendal, the United Kingdom.

How the Company Makes Money

James Cropper generates revenue primarily through the sale of its paper products and advanced materials. The company operates in several key segments: Paper, which produces high-quality specialty papers; Packaging, which focuses on sustainable packaging solutions; and Technical Fibre Products, which offers advanced materials for industrial applications. Revenue is derived from direct sales to clients, including luxury brands and manufacturers in various sectors. Additionally, James Cropper has established significant partnerships with brands in the luxury and consumer goods markets, which contribute to stable demand for its products. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation also positions it favorably in the growing market for eco-friendly materials, further enhancing its revenue potential.

James Cropper Financial Statement Overview

Summary

James Cropper faces challenges in profitability and leverage, with negative net income and high debt levels. However, positive cash flow growth indicates improved cash generation capabilities, which could support future improvements.

Income Statement

James Cropper's income statement shows a mixed performance. The company has experienced a slight revenue growth of 3.07% in the most recent year, but profitability metrics are concerning. The gross profit margin remains strong at 64.36%, indicating efficient production, but the net profit margin is negative at -5.30%, reflecting significant losses. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also negative, suggesting operational challenges. The company needs to address its cost structure to improve profitability.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet reveals a moderate financial position. The debt-to-equity ratio is 1.15, indicating a relatively high level of leverage, which could pose risks if earnings do not improve. Return on equity is negative, reflecting the company's recent losses. However, the equity ratio is reasonable, suggesting a stable asset base. The company should focus on reducing debt and improving equity returns.

Cash Flow

Cash flow analysis shows some positive trends. Free cash flow has grown significantly by 96.04%, indicating improved cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.40, suggesting that cash flows are more stable than accounting profits. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.74, indicating that not all cash flows are translating into net income. Continued focus on cash flow management is essential.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	101.19M	99.34M	102.97M	129.66M	104.92M	78.77M
Gross Profit	23.72M	63.93M	65.58M	28.03M	23.72M	15.09M
EBITDA	1.86M	-1.57M	-22.00K	6.56M	7.30M	6.70M
Net Income	-2.74M	-5.27M	-4.00M	516.00K	1.36M	1.57M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	74.84M	77.08M	85.95M	98.47M	92.60M	81.05M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	11.54M	10.61M	9.21M	8.11M	7.75M	7.27M
Total Debt	21.83M	23.50M	24.75M	24.27M	20.04M	14.27M
Total Liabilities	50.60M	56.67M	60.38M	66.40M	58.09M	51.15M
Stockholders Equity	24.23M	20.41M	25.57M	32.06M	34.51M	29.90M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	4.76M	5.64M	2.98M	-1.70M	-3.14M	4.46M
Operating Cash Flow	6.24M	7.65M	7.17M	4.69M	3.06M	7.59M
Investing Cash Flow	-2.98M	-3.25M	-4.32M	-6.64M	-6.60M	-4.49M
Financing Cash Flow	-2.54M	-2.80M	-1.48M	1.48M	4.41M	-4.64M

James Cropper Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Positive
• Last Price: 395.00
• 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:CRPR, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 395 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 354.90, above the 50-day MA of 339.46, and above the 200-day MA of 270.00, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 17.28 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 84.88 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 84.23 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for GB:CRPR.

James Cropper Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
MNDI	69 Neutral	£4.04B	25.42	3.86%	6.76%	3.30%	-58.67%
ELM	64 Neutral	£969.41M	-17.23	3.37%	1.34%	-11.78%	-92.61%
ESNT	63 Neutral	£270.75M	29.32	3.48%	2.44%	-4.71%	86.21%
ZTF	62 Neutral	£196.12M	279.17	0.60%	2.00%	15.56%	-92.94%
Sector *	61 Neutral	$10.43B	7.12	-0.05%	2.87%	2.86%	-36.73%
CRPR	60 Neutral	£38.22M	-13.95	-11.07%	―	4.99%	56.79%
AXS	56 Neutral	£147.30M	54.02	-21.28%	―	1.45%	―

James Cropper Corporate Events

James Cropper Shareholding Update: Internal Transactions Maintain Concert Party’s Stake

James Cropper plc is a company involved in the manufacturing industry, focusing on the production of paper products and advanced materials. Recently, James Cropper and Jem Cropper, both closely associated with the Non-Executive Chair Mark Cropper, purchased a total of 4,225 shares in the company. This transaction does not alter the collective interest of the Concert Party, which holds a significant 37.08% of the company’s issued share capital. The purchase reflects internal shareholding adjustments without impacting the overall market position or stakeholder interests.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CRPR) stock is a Hold with a £332.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on James Cropper stock, see the GB:CRPR Stock Forecast page.

James Cropper Reports Strong H1 FY26 Results with Strategic Gains

James Cropper plc has reported a strong financial performance for the first half of the fiscal year 2026, with a 3.7% increase in revenue to £51.8 million and a significant 51.9% rise in adjusted EBITDA to £4.1 million. The company’s Advanced Materials segment saw a 13.4% revenue growth, while the Paper & Packaging segment made substantial progress despite a previous customer loss. The strategic focus on organic growth, sustainable profitability, and disciplined capital allocation has started to yield positive results, positioning the company for long-term value creation. The company anticipates continued robust trading and aims for break-even adjusted EBITDA in the Paper & Packaging business by the end of the fiscal year.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CRPR) stock is a Hold with a £332.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on James Cropper stock, see the GB:CRPR Stock Forecast page.

James Cropper to Announce Interim Results and Host Investor Presentation

James Cropper plc announced it will release its interim results for the six months ended 27 September 2025 on 17 November 2025. The company will host an analyst meeting and an investor presentation to discuss these results, with participation open to existing and potential shareholders. This announcement highlights James Cropper’s commitment to transparency and engagement with stakeholders, potentially impacting its market positioning positively by reinforcing investor confidence.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CRPR) stock is a Hold with a £298.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on James Cropper stock, see the GB:CRPR Stock Forecast page.

James Cropper plc Corrects Shareholding Announcement

James Cropper plc, a company involved in the paper and advanced materials industry, has announced a correction to a previous statement regarding shareholdings. The correction involves the accurate naming of a person closely associated with Mark Cropper, the Non-Executive Chair. The company disclosed that Mark Cropper transferred a total of 147,384 ordinary shares to his sons, James and Jem Cropper, with some shares transferred at a price of £3.18 each and others for nil consideration. This transfer impacts the shareholding distribution within the Cropper family and slightly adjusts the beneficial ownership percentages of the involved parties.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CRPR) stock is a Hold with a £298.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on James Cropper stock, see the GB:CRPR Stock Forecast page.

James Cropper plc Announces Internal Share Transfer

James Cropper plc is involved in a significant internal share transfer involving its Non-Executive Chair, Mark Cropper, who has transferred a total of 147,384 ordinary shares to his children, James and Jemima Cropper. This transaction, which includes both paid and nil consideration shares, results in a change in the beneficial ownership of shares within the Cropper family, impacting their collective interest in the company. The Cropper family, along with the Willink and Acland families, are part of a concert party holding a significant 36.88% of the company’s issued share capital. This internal restructuring of share ownership may influence the company’s governance dynamics and reflects strategic family planning within the Cropper family.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:CRPR) stock is a Hold with a £269.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on James Cropper stock, see the GB:CRPR Stock Forecast page.