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Hardide PLC (GB:HDD)
LSE:HDD

Hardide (HDD) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:HDD

Hardide

(LSE:HDD)

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Neutral 57 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:57Neutral
Price Target:
21.50p
▲(21.13% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by improving financial performance (FY2025 turnaround with positive profits and free cash flow), supported by strong technical uptrend signals. This is meaningfully offset by a very high P/E valuation and elevated balance-sheet risk from increased leverage, which leaves limited room for execution missteps.
Positive Factors
Turnaround Revenue & Profitability
A clear FY2025 inflection with strong revenue growth and restored operating profitability indicates the core coating services are regaining traction. Durable demand recovery and scalable service economics can support sustainable earnings if growth and execution persist.
Resilient Gross Margins
Consistently robust gross margins reflect pricing power or process advantages in tungsten carbide coatings. High gross margins provide scope to invest in capacity, R&D or technical support while still absorbing SG&A and help the business maintain profitability through cost cycles.
Improved Cash Generation
Return to positive operating and free cash flow, with FCF growth and FCF roughly 0.9x net income, supports earnings quality and lowers reliance on external funding. Sustained cash generation would fund working capital and reinvestment in a capital-light service model.
Negative Factors
Elevated Leverage
Leverage increased materially during the recovery, reducing financial flexibility and raising refinancing and covenant risk. With limited equity buffer and modest profits, higher debt magnifies downside if revenue growth slows or margin pressure emerges.
Thin Net Profitability
Net margin near 3% offers a narrow cushion against cost inflation or pricing pressure. The prior multi-year loss history shows profit volatility; sustaining durable net profitability will require consistent top-line growth and disciplined cost control.
Uneven Cash-Flow Consistency
While FY2025 cash flow improved, historical volatility and lower conversion of operating cash versus operating profit point to working-capital or timing risks. Persistent swings could force external funding or constrain investment during downturns.

Hardide (HDD) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Hardide Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHardide plc manufactures and sells advanced tungsten carbide/tungsten metal matrix composite coatings in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, and internationally. Its products are used in various industries, including energy, aerospace, flow control, power generation, and precision engineering. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Bicester, the United Kingdom.
How the Company Makes MoneyHardide generates revenue primarily through the sale of its specialized coating services and products to clients in various industries, including oil and gas, aerospace, and manufacturing. The company operates on a business-to-business (B2B) model, where it charges clients for coating treatments applied to their components, often on a contractual basis. Key revenue streams include direct sales of coated components, service agreements, and long-term contracts with major industrial players. Additionally, Hardide benefits from strategic partnerships and collaborations with manufacturers and engineering firms, which can lead to increased contract opportunities and access to new markets, thus contributing to its overall earnings.

Hardide Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Turnaround momentum is clear in FY2025 (revenue +50.2% YoY and a return to positive EBIT/EBITDA/net income) with improved operating and free cash flow. However, profitability remains thin (~3% net margin), cash-flow consistency has been uneven historically, and higher leverage (debt-to-equity ~1.06) increases downside risk if growth slows.
Income Statement
58
Neutral
Hardide shows a clear earnings inflection in FY2025, with revenue up strongly (+50.2% YoY) and a return to profitability (positive EBIT, EBITDA, and net income) after multiple years of losses (FY2020–FY2024). Gross margin has stayed relatively resilient over time (mid-to-high 30s to high 40s), supporting the turnaround. The main weakness is that profitability is still thin (net margin ~3% in FY2025), and the prior-year loss history highlights that results can be volatile if growth slows or costs rise.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
Leverage has increased alongside the recovery: debt-to-equity moved up to ~1.06 in FY2025 from ~0.77 in FY2024, reducing balance-sheet flexibility. Equity remains positive, but has trended down versus earlier years, and returns on equity were deeply negative through FY2024 before turning modestly positive in FY2025 (~4.6%). Overall, the balance sheet is workable, but the higher debt load raises risk if profitability stalls.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Cash generation improved materially in FY2025 with positive operating cash flow (£0.66m) and positive free cash flow (£0.59m), following negative free cash flow in FY2024 and FY2022 and weak consistency across the period. Free cash flow growth is strong in FY2025 (+87.7%), and free cash flow is broadly in line with reported earnings (about 0.90x net income), which supports earnings quality. The key weakness is the uneven cash-flow track record and a relatively low conversion of operating cash flow versus reported operating profit in FY2025, suggesting working-capital or timing effects remain a swing factor.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.03M6.03M4.73M5.50M5.01M3.60M
Gross Profit2.69M2.69M2.28M2.61M1.88M1.31M
EBITDA1.03M1.03M-363.00K-165.00K-937.00K-1.69M
Net Income210.50K178.00K-1.32M-1.12M-2.19M-2.80M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets7.61M7.61M7.75M8.40M9.73M10.76M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments827.00K827.00K700.00K740.00K693.00K1.54M
Total Debt4.09M4.09M2.81M3.05M2.96M2.95M
Total Liabilities3.73M3.73M4.09M4.11M4.21M3.84M
Stockholders Equity3.88M3.88M3.66M4.29M5.53M6.91M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow329.50K594.00K-486.00K56.00K-1.31M-2.25M
Operating Cash Flow394.50K663.00K-422.00K166.00K-1.01M-1.94M
Investing Cash Flow-69.00K-69.00K-64.00K-110.00K-292.00K-299.00K
Financing Cash Flow-449.00K-449.00K434.00K-98.00K322.00K943.00K

Hardide Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price17.75
Price Trends
50DMA
15.59
Positive
100DMA
11.47
Positive
200DMA
9.55
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.43
Negative
RSI
70.87
Negative
STOCH
77.63
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:HDD, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 17.75 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 17.73, above the 50-day MA of 15.59, and above the 200-day MA of 9.55, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.43 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 70.87 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 77.63 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for GB:HDD.

Hardide Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
64
Neutral
£950.26M-16.793.37%1.34%-11.78%-92.61%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
57
Neutral
£19.31M104.55-11.10%14.51%77.27%
55
Neutral
£32.27M-1.12-27.64%35.09%
53
Neutral
£15.66M-4.32-78.76%-24.85%40.28%
51
Neutral
£93.23M-1.09-7.26%-4.41%2.29%
39
Underperform
£601.00K-0.07-235.32%-38.73%96.64%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:HDD
Hardide
23.00
15.90
223.94%
GB:DCTA
Directa Plus
15.00
9.00
150.00%
GB:ELM
Elementis
166.20
12.56
8.17%
GB:HAYD
Haydale Graphene
0.42
0.30
251.69%
GB:SYNT
Synthomer
55.80
-95.40
-63.10%
GB:VRS
Versarien
0.01
-0.03
-75.00%

Hardide Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Hardide Wins $1m North American Order and Plans Martinsville Upgrade
Positive
Feb 3, 2026

Hardide has secured a follow-on order worth $1.0 million from a North American customer, building on a previous contract announced in December 2025 and strengthening its position in that regional market. The order, to be delivered in the second half of the 2026 financial year, is expected to lift the company’s performance above prior expectations and will help fund planned infrastructure upgrades at its Martinsville plant to boost operational efficiency and support rising demand in North America, underlining the strategic importance of this customer relationship and the growth potential in the region.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:HDD) stock is a Hold with a £18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Hardide stock, see the GB:HDD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Hardide Returns to Profit as Revenue Jumps and Trading Momentum Builds
Positive
Jan 22, 2026

Hardide reported a strong turnaround for the year to 30 September 2025, with revenue up 27% to £6.0m, gross margin rising to 57%, EBITDA improving to £1.0m at a 17% margin and the company returning to positive earnings per share for the first time in many years. The group cut net debt, increased cash, fully harmonised its UK and US plants, and is now generating cash thanks to higher volumes, better commercial discipline and operational efficiencies. Trading momentum has carried into the new financial year, with first-quarter FY26 revenue up nearly 40% and a £1.75m order from a major new North American energy customer underpinning expectations of further significant progress as Hardide targets at least doubling FY24 revenues to £10m and leveraging spare capacity for margin and profit growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:HDD) stock is a Hold with a £7.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Hardide stock, see the GB:HDD Stock Forecast page.

Financial Disclosures
Hardide Sets Date to Publish Full-Year 2025 Results
Neutral
Jan 12, 2026

Hardide plc has announced it will publish its annual results for the year ended 30 September 2025 on 22 January 2026, signalling an upcoming update on the company’s financial and operational performance. The forthcoming results will be closely watched by stakeholders in the industrial coatings and engineering supply chain, given Hardide’s role in providing performance-enhancing surface treatments to critical components in demanding sectors such as energy and aerospace.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:HDD) stock is a Hold with a £8.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Hardide stock, see the GB:HDD Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Hardide Secures Major Orders from New North American Energy Customer
Positive
Dec 1, 2025

Hardide plc has secured significant orders worth £1.75 million from a major new North American customer in the energy sector, reflecting strategic efforts to expand in the US market. This development is expected to boost Hardide’s revenues in the first half of the fiscal year ending September 2026, surpassing initial forecasts. The company’s facility in Martinsville, USA, will service these orders, highlighting its enhanced value proposition. The orders align with Hardide’s strategy to double its FY24 revenues, leveraging existing capacity for better margins. The company’s unique coatings, which extend component life in harsh environments, are gaining interest from major oil and gas companies.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:HDD) stock is a Hold with a £8.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Hardide stock, see the GB:HDD 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: Feb 04, 2026