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Forterra PLC (GB:FORT)
LSE:FORT

Forterra (FORT) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:FORT

Forterra

(LSE:FORT)

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Neutral 62 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:62Neutral
Price Target:
174.00 p
▼(-1.92% Downside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:03/12/26
The score is driven primarily by moderately improving financial performance (deleveraging and stronger 2024–2025 cash flow) but is held back by clearly weak technicals, with the stock trading below all key moving averages and bearish momentum readings. Valuation is fair and the dividend provides modest support, but not enough to overcome the current downtrend.
Positive Factors
Deleveraging / Stronger Balance Sheet
Forterra has reduced total debt into 2025 while equity rose to ~£234.5m, indicating improving leverage and balance-sheet resilience. This deleveraging increases financial flexibility to invest in plants, handle cyclical downturns, and supports longer-term operational stability.
Recovery in Cash Generation
Free cash flow recovered from a 2023 trough to around £43.8m in 2025, showing the business can convert earnings to cash when conditions normalize. Durable cash generation supports capex for capacity, deleveraging, and shareholder returns over the medium term.
Essential Building-Materials Franchise
Forterra supplies essential, per-unit building materials (bricks, blocks) to a broad construction supply chain. This diversified customer base and necessity of products provide enduring demand exposure to UK housing and construction activity, underpinning steady structural revenue streams.
Negative Factors
Cash Flow Volatility
Although FCF rebounded, working-capital swings and timing created a pronounced 2023 trough and weak conversion in 2024. Persistent volatility in cash conversion risks funding operations, dampens predictability of reinvestment or debt paydown, and complicates multi-period planning.
Choppy Revenue & Weaker Margins
Top-line has been uneven across recent years and margins have not recovered to pre-2023 peaks, implying limited operating leverage. This choppiness reduces earnings visibility, constrains margin expansion potential, and makes profitability more sensitive to construction cycles and input-cost swings.
Higher Debt vs Earlier Periods
Although leverage improved into 2025, debt remains meaningfully above 2021–22 levels, limiting headroom for large investments or aggressive share returns. Elevated structural indebtedness increases refinancing and interest-rate exposure during downturns, constraining strategic optionality.

Forterra (FORT) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Forterra Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionForterra plc manufactures and sells masonry products in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Bricks, Blocks, and Bespoke Products. The company offers bricks; aircrete and aggregate blocks; and bespoke products comprising precast concrete flooring, concrete block paving, and chimney and roofing components, as well as other building products under the London Brick, Butterley Brick, Ecostock, Cradley, Thermalite, Conbloc, Bison Precast, Jetfloor, Red Bank, and Formpave brand names. It serves builders' merchants, residential homebuilders, specialized brick merchants, contractors, and subcontractors. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Northampton, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneyForterra makes money primarily by manufacturing and selling building materials to customers in the UK construction supply chain. Key revenue streams include (1) clay bricks: revenue from the sale of facing and engineering bricks used in new-build housing and other construction, and (2) concrete products: revenue from the sale of concrete blocks and related concrete building products used in structural and non-structural applications. The company typically earns revenue on a per-unit basis (e.g., per brick or per block/pallet) under supply arrangements with housebuilders, contractors, and builders’ merchants, with volumes and pricing influenced by UK construction activity and housing starts. Additional factors that can contribute to earnings include product mix (higher-value specialist bricks vs. standard products), manufacturing efficiency and capacity utilisation at plants, and pass-through/management of input costs such as energy and raw materials. Specific material partnerships or customer concentration details are null.

Forterra Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Moderate fundamentals with improving momentum: profitability has remained positive post-2020 but is below the 2022 peak and slightly lower in 2025 vs. 2024. Balance sheet leverage is manageable and improving with debt reduction into 2025, and cash flow rebounded strongly in 2024–2025 (2025 FCF ~£43.8m), though cash conversion has shown meaningful volatility (notably the 2023 trough).
Income Statement
63
Positive
Profitability has recovered from the 2020 loss, with positive net income sustained through 2021–2025. However, the earnings profile is less robust than earlier years: net income is far below the 2022 peak (and slightly lower in 2025 vs. 2024), while revenue has been choppy—down materially in 2023, roughly flat in 2024, and modestly higher in 2025. Margins in 2023–2024 are positive but notably below 2021–2022 levels, indicating weaker operating leverage in the current cycle.
Balance Sheet
72
Positive
Leverage looks manageable and improving recently: total debt declined from 2023 to 2025, and equity increased to ~£234.5m in 2025. Debt relative to equity was moderate in 2023–2024 (about 0.64x to 0.54x) and is likely improving with the 2025 debt reduction, supporting balance-sheet resilience. The main watch-out is that debt rose meaningfully versus 2021–2022 levels, so financial flexibility is not as strong as it was earlier in the period.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
Cash generation is generally solid, highlighted by a sharp rebound from negative operating and free cash flow in 2023 to strong positive levels in 2024 and 2025 (2025 free cash flow ~£43.8m). That said, cash flow volatility is a key risk: 2023 was a clear trough, and 2024 showed relatively weak conversion of operating cash flow and free cash flow versus net income, suggesting working-capital or timing impacts can meaningfully swing results.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue386.00M344.30M346.40M455.50M370.40M
Gross Profit128.20M103.00M100.70M160.70M128.40M
EBITDA61.00M54.70M58.30M91.40M76.50M
Net Income17.00M17.50M12.80M58.80M45.50M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets417.10M442.40M444.70M397.60M350.00M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments6.10M15.20M16.00M34.30M41.50M
Total Debt81.50M121.00M133.40M58.00M17.10M
Total Liabilities182.60M217.50M236.90M177.10M115.20M
Stockholders Equity234.50M224.90M207.80M220.50M234.80M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow43.80M16.60M-53.00M31.50M33.30M
Operating Cash Flow58.30M42.20M-20.00M75.60M68.20M
Investing Cash Flow-14.50M-25.60M-33.80M-41.20M-20.00M
Financing Cash Flow-52.90M-17.40M35.50M-41.60M-38.20M

Forterra Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price177.40
Price Trends
50DMA
181.61
Negative
100DMA
181.24
Negative
200DMA
185.42
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-5.55
Positive
RSI
27.87
Positive
STOCH
24.58
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:FORT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 177.4 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 182.36, below the 50-day MA of 181.61, and below the 200-day MA of 185.42, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -5.55 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 27.87 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 24.58 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:FORT.

Forterra Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
£1.42B12.136.07%32.27%
72
Outperform
£74.34M11.415.71%5.35%-0.29%-33.41%
69
Neutral
£1.17B5.077.90%4.47%7.83%-7.40%
68
Neutral
£361.91M38.432.91%4.18%1.31%10.19%
62
Neutral
£344.99M23.016.91%2.13%15.99%96.05%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
48
Neutral
£413.66M179.133.10%2.39%5.58%66.49%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:FORT
Forterra
163.80
6.41
4.07%
GB:IBST
Ibstock
104.80
-58.24
-35.72%
GB:MSLH
Marshalls
143.80
-89.98
-38.49%
GB:MBH
Michelmersh Brick Holdings
82.00
-16.93
-17.11%
GB:SRC
SigmaRoc
127.00
36.70
40.64%
GB:BREE
Breedon
338.00
-117.89
-25.86%

Forterra Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Forterra Delivers Strong 2025 Results and Launches £20m Share Buyback
Positive
Mar 11, 2026

Forterra reported a strong 2025 performance despite challenging UK construction markets, with revenue up 12.1%, adjusted EBITDA up 18.5% and adjusted EPS up 65.8%, supported by stable pricing and a recovery in brick market share. Robust cash generation cut net debt to £55.7m and underpinned a 106.7% increase in the total dividend to 6.2p per share.

Strategically, the group advanced major capacity projects, with its Wilnecote factory nearing completion, both Desford kilns running together for the first time and the new Omnia extruded brick slip range launched. With leverage back to normalised levels and capex easing, the board has updated capital allocation priorities and will return surplus capital via a £20m share buyback starting in 2026, while guiding that 2026 demand should mirror 2025 and EBITDA edge slightly higher, positioning the company to benefit when UK housing and brick demand recover structurally.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FORT) stock is a Buy with a £216.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Forterra stock, see the GB:FORT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Forterra Trust Buys More Shares to Support Employee Incentive Schemes
Positive
Mar 3, 2026

Forterra’s Employee Benefit Trust has purchased 75,000 ordinary shares at an average price of £1.8585, as part of a previously announced monthly share acquisition programme. Following this latest transaction, the Trust holds 2,522,867 shares, representing 1.19% of Forterra’s voting rights, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to employee share ownership and incentive schemes.

The move incrementally increases the pool of shares available for existing and future awards under Forterra’s share plans, potentially strengthening alignment between employees and shareholders over time. While the transaction is modest in scale, it continues a structured programme that may gradually influence the company’s capital base and the distribution of voting power among investors.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FORT) stock is a Buy with a £216.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Forterra stock, see the GB:FORT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Forterra Employee Trust Adds to Stake with Ongoing Share Purchases
Positive
Feb 18, 2026

Forterra’s Employee Benefit Trust has continued its ongoing share purchase programme, acquiring 75,000 ordinary shares at an average price of £1.9556 on 16 January 2026. This transaction forms part of a planned schedule of monthly purchases and is intended to provide shares to satisfy awards under the company’s various employee share schemes.

Following this latest acquisition, the Trust now holds 2,475,867 ordinary shares in Forterra, representing 1.15% of the company’s current voting rights. The move underscores Forterra’s commitment to employee incentivisation and equity participation, aligning staff interests with shareholders and potentially supporting long-term retention and performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FORT) stock is a Buy with a £216.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Forterra stock, see the GB:FORT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Forterra Employee Benefit Trust Adds to Stake Under Ongoing Share Purchase Programme
Positive
Feb 3, 2026

Forterra’s Employee Benefit Trust has continued its previously announced share purchase programme, with Apex Financial Services (Trust Company) Limited, acting as trustee, buying 75,000 ordinary shares at an average price of £1.8037 on 2 January 2026. Following this transaction, the Trust now holds 2,401,899 ordinary shares, equivalent to 1.13% of Forterra’s current voting rights, reinforcing the company’s commitment to employee share ownership and aligning staff incentives with shareholder interests.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FORT) stock is a Hold with a £220.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Forterra stock, see the GB:FORT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Forterra lifts 2025 revenue and cuts debt as brick demand outperforms UK market
Positive
Jan 22, 2026

Forterra reported a 12% rise in full-year 2025 revenue to about £386m, driven mainly by higher sales volumes, with brick products singled out as the most resilient line. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in line with market forecasts, while lower interest and depreciation charges should push adjusted profit before tax and earnings per share ahead of expectations, and net debt has been cut sharply to around £56m, bringing leverage down to about one times adjusted EBITDA; the board plans to outline future capital allocation priorities alongside the full-year results and remains confident that recent capacity investments leave the group well positioned to benefit from structurally strong UK housing demand once market conditions improve.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FORT) stock is a Hold with a £220.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Forterra stock, see the GB:FORT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Forterra Employee Benefit Trust Increases Stake Through Share Purchase
Positive
Jan 20, 2026

Forterra plc has disclosed that its Employee Benefit Trust has acquired 75,000 ordinary shares at an average price of £1.7967 as part of a previously announced monthly share purchase programme. The trust now holds 2,326,899 ordinary shares, representing 1.09% of the company’s voting rights, and these shares are intended to satisfy awards under Forterra’s employee share schemes, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to staff incentives and alignment of employee interests with shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FORT) stock is a Hold with a £220.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Forterra stock, see the GB:FORT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Forterra Employee Benefit Trust Acquires Additional Shares for Staff Incentive Plans
Positive
Jan 7, 2026

Forterra plc has reported that its Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), administered by Apex Financial Services (Trust Company) Limited, purchased 75,000 ordinary shares of 1p each on 2 January 2026 at an average price of £1.8478 per share. The EBT now holds 2,251,899 ordinary shares, representing 1.06% of the company’s current voting rights, to be used primarily to satisfy awards under Forterra’s employee share schemes, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to equity-based staff incentives and alignment of employee and shareholder interests.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:FORT) stock is a Hold with a £200.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Forterra stock, see the GB:FORT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
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: Mar 12, 2026