Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

GuruFocus.com
·4 min read

- By GF Value

The stock of Limelight Networks (NAS:LLNW, 30-year Financials) gives every indication of being modestly undervalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $3.79 per share and the market cap of $470.5 million, Limelight Networks stock is believed to be modestly undervalued. GF Value for Limelight Networks is shown in the chart below.


Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued
Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

Because Limelight Networks is relatively undervalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be higher than its business growth, which averaged 3.9% over the past three years and is estimated to grow 9.82% annually over the next three to five years.

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Companies with poor financial strength offer investors a high risk of permanent capital loss. To avoid permanent capital loss, an investor must do their research and review a company's financial strength before deciding to purchase shares. Both the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage of a company are a great way to to understand its financial strength. Limelight Networks has a cash-to-debt ratio of 1.08, which which ranks worse than 66% of the companies in Software industry. The overall financial strength of Limelight Networks is 4 out of 10, which indicates that the financial strength of Limelight Networks is poor. This is the debt and cash of Limelight Networks over the past years:

Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued
Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

Investing in profitable companies carries less risk, especially in companies that have demonstrated consistent profitability over the long term. Typically, a company with high profit margins offers better performance potential than a company with low profit margins. Limelight Networks has been profitable 1 years over the past 10 years. During the past 12 months, the company had revenues of $230.2 million and loss of $0.15 a share. Its operating margin of -6.25% worse than 68% of the companies in Software industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks Limelight Networks's profitability as poor. This is the revenue and net income of Limelight Networks over the past years:

Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued
Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

Growth is probably one of the most important factors in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus' research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long-term performance of a company's stock. If a company's business is growing, the company usually creates value for its shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. Likewise, if a company's revenue and earnings are declining, the value of the company will decrease. Limelight Networks's 3-year average revenue growth rate is in the middle range of the companies in Software industry. Limelight Networks's 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -17.1%, which ranks worse than 85% of the companies in Software industry.

Another way to look at the profitability of a company is to compare its return on invested capital and the weighted cost of capital. Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. We want to have the return on invested capital higher than the weighted cost of capital. For the past 12 months, Limelight Networks's return on invested capital is -8.60, and its cost of capital is 4.70. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Limelight Networks is shown below:

Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued
Limelight Networks Stock Appears To Be Modestly Undervalued

In summary, The stock of Limelight Networks (NAS:LLNW, 30-year Financials) shows every sign of being modestly undervalued. The company's financial condition is poor and its profitability is poor. Its growth ranks worse than 85% of the companies in Software industry. To learn more about Limelight Networks stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here.

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This article first appeared on GuruFocus.