James Latham (LTHM) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: £194.93M
• Dividend Yield: 3.62%
• Average Volume (3M): 15.37K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 11.2
• Beta (1Y): 0.41
• Revenue Growth: 4.03%
• EPS Growth: -13.76%
• Country: UK
• Employees: 565
• Sector: Basic Materials
• Sector Strength: 58
• Industry: Paper, Lumber & Forest Products
• EPS (TTM): 0.48
• Shares Outstanding: 20,160,000
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 12,884
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 15,373
• PEG Ratio: -0.59
• Price to Book (P/B): 0.98
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.59
• P/FCF Ratio: 60.87
• 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: 61 Neutral
• Price Target: 1,002.00p ▲(2.77% Upside)

James Latham's overall stock score is primarily influenced by its strong balance sheet and reasonable valuation. However, bearish technical indicators and challenges in profitability and cash flow generation weigh down the score. The absence of earnings call data and corporate events means these factors do not contribute to the score.

Positive Factors

Strong Balance Sheet

A strong balance sheet with low leverage provides financial stability and flexibility, enabling the company to invest in growth opportunities and weather economic downturns.

Market Presence and Product Range

A diverse product range and strong market presence in the timber and panel distribution sector enhance customer loyalty and provide a competitive edge, supporting long-term revenue stability.

Operational Efficiency

Sustained operational efficiency, as indicated by positive EBIT and EBITDA margins, suggests effective cost management and the ability to generate profits from core operations, supporting long-term profitability.

Negative Factors

Declining Margins

Decreasing margins indicate pressure on profitability, which could affect the company's ability to reinvest in its business and maintain competitive pricing, potentially impacting long-term growth.

Cash Flow Challenges

Challenges in cash flow generation can limit the company's ability to fund operations and growth initiatives, potentially affecting its financial health and strategic flexibility over time.

Profitability Pressure

Declining net profit margins suggest increasing costs or competitive pressures, which could hinder the company's ability to sustain earnings growth and shareholder returns in the long term.

James Latham Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

James Latham (LTHM) is a leading UK-based distributor of timber and panel products, operating primarily in the construction, furniture, and joinery sectors. The company offers a wide range of products, including hardwoods, softwoods, plywood, MDF, and other engineered wood products. With a commitment to sustainability and quality, James Latham sources materials from responsible suppliers and provides innovative solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

How the Company Makes Money

James Latham generates revenue primarily through the sale of timber and panel products, catering to both domestic and commercial markets. The company's revenue model is based on wholesale distribution, where it purchases products from manufacturers and sells them to retailers, contractors, and end-users at a markup. Key revenue streams include direct sales of timber, engineered wood products, and value-added services such as cutting, machining, and delivery. Significant partnerships with reputable manufacturers enhance its product offerings and supply chain efficiency, contributing to consistent earnings. Additionally, the company benefits from a growing demand for sustainable building materials, which aligns with its sourcing practices and attracts eco-conscious customers.

James Latham Financial Statement Overview

Summary

James Latham has a stable financial position with a strong balance sheet and low leverage, reflected in a high balance sheet score. However, challenges in profitability and cash flow generation, as indicated by declining margins and cash flow metrics, lower the overall financial performance score.

Income Statement

James Latham has shown a mixed performance in its income statement. The company experienced a slight revenue growth in the latest year, but this was preceded by a decline. Margins have generally decreased over the years, with the gross profit margin dropping from 23.35% in 2022 to 16.76% in 2025. The net profit margin has also declined, indicating pressure on profitability. However, the company maintains a positive EBIT and EBITDA margin, reflecting operational efficiency.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet of James Latham is strong, with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.054, indicating low financial leverage and a conservative capital structure. The return on equity has decreased over the years but remains positive, suggesting the company is generating returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is healthy, showing a solid equity base relative to total assets.

Cash Flow

Cash flow performance has been challenging, with a significant decline in free cash flow growth in the latest year. The operating cash flow to net income ratio has decreased, indicating less cash generation from operations relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio also shows a downward trend, suggesting potential issues in converting income into cash.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	376.81M	366.61M	366.51M	408.37M	385.37M	250.16M
Gross Profit	63.05M	61.45M	62.10M	78.50M	90.00M	43.62M
EBITDA	29.79M	30.11M	34.73M	48.94M	62.30M	22.84M
Net Income	17.65M	18.15M	22.66M	35.92M	45.64M	14.98M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	278.63M	275.45M	269.70M	250.36M	224.81M	167.99M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	59.84M	69.12M	75.88M	62.61M	37.03M	28.62M
Total Debt	8.62M	12.02M	8.67M	6.60M	5.00M	4.85M
Total Liabilities	53.42M	54.97M	54.47M	54.78M	60.84M	48.91M
Stockholders Equity	225.21M	220.48M	215.23M	195.57M	163.97M	119.08M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	906.00K	3.56M	17.98M	33.83M	16.38M	16.18M
Operating Cash Flow	19.10M	17.02M	23.57M	37.13M	20.69M	18.14M
Investing Cash Flow	-17.95M	-9.80M	-1.97M	-3.23M	-6.50M	-1.96M
Financing Cash Flow	-8.77M	-17.61M	-8.33M	-8.32M	-5.79M	-4.51M

James Latham Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Negative
• Last Price: 975.00
• 50DMA: Negative
• 100DMA: Negative
• 200DMA: Negative
• MACD: Positive
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Neutral

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:LTHM, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 975 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 1011.00, below the 50-day MA of 1020.40, and below the 200-day MA of 1064.77, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -14.79 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 33.56 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 26.43 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:LTHM.

James Latham Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
MBH	72 Outperform	£76.24M	14.74	5.71%	5.48%	-0.29%	-33.41%
FORT	69 Neutral	£380.37M	24.24	7.03%	2.20%	15.99%	96.05%
IBST	67 Neutral	£542.29M	44.61	3.10%	2.40%	5.58%	66.49%
WYN	65 Neutral	£76.13M	20.33	2.74%	5.33%	-10.03%	-41.77%
Sector *	61 Neutral	$10.43B	7.12	-0.05%	2.87%	2.86%	-36.73%
LTHM	61 Neutral	£194.93M	11.18	8.10%	3.62%	4.03%	-13.76%
CRPR	60 Neutral	£32.01M	-11.68	-11.07%	―	4.99%	56.79%

James Latham Corporate Events

James Latham Reports Revenue Growth Amidst Stable Market Conditions

James Latham plc reported a 5.5% increase in revenue to £196.8 million for the six months ending 30 September 2025, driven by a 6.8% rise in volumes, particularly in its LDT timber pack sales. Despite the revenue growth, operating profit slightly decreased to £11.1 million due to lower finance income and stable cost prices. The company declared an increased interim dividend and is progressing with the construction of a National Distribution Centre, expected to enhance future operations. The economic outlook remains cautious, impacting the merchant sector, but the company continues to invest in its infrastructure and management team to drive future growth.

James Latham Announces Share Transfer by Director’s Spouse

James Latham plc announced a share transfer involving Fabian French, a Non-executive Director, whose spouse, Pippa French, transferred 200,000 ordinary shares to a Trust. This transaction results in Mr. French holding a beneficial interest in 170,052 shares, representing 0.84% of the company’s issued share capital. The transfer is in compliance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation and does not affect the company’s operations or market positioning.