There's an exclusive group of companies in the stock market that stand out because they've got what billionaire investor Warren Buffett calls economic moats. Like medieval castles, their profits are fortified by impregnable business models... and there are signs that Hargreaves Lansdown (LON:HRGV) (LON:HL.) might be one of them.
Given the present disruption and volatility in the stock market, it is more important than ever to identify high-quality stocks for your portfolio - and finding companies with moats is one way to do it.
Moats come in different forms, but they mostly consist of:
- Intangible Assets - Such as brands that customers love, valuable patents or regulatory approvals
- High switching Costs - It might be too costly, complicated or unnecessary for customers to look elsewhere
- Network Effects - When customers become part of a product it creates tremendously powerful businesses
- Cost Advantages - Superior processes and unique locations and assets make it hard for others to compete
- Great Scale - Large infrastructure and distribution networks are powerful barriers to entry in many industries
Here's a quick guide to finding the clues to economic moats - using Hargreaves Lansdown (LON:HL.) as an example...
Hargreaves Lansdown's impressive metrics
Some of the biggest indicators of a moat involve persistent strong margins and high levels of cash generation – cash being especially important given the recent shocks to the worldwide economy. Here are a few ways of gauging these characteristics - and how Hargreaves Lansdown compares:
- High rates of Free Cash Flow - the measure of a thriving company.
- A high ratio of free cash flow to sales can be a very positive sign. For Hargreaves Lansdown, the figure is an impressive 43.3%. - High Return on Capital Employed - the measure of a company growing efficiently and profitably.
- A 5-year average ROCE of more than 12 percent is a pointer to strong efficiency. For Hargreaves Lansdown, the figure is an eye-catching 78.3%. - High Return on Equity (compared to peers) - the measure of a company making good profits from its assets.
- Hargreaves Lansdown has a 5-year average ROE of 67.8%. - High Operating Margins (compared to peers) - the measure of a company with pricing power
- Hargreaves Lansdown has a 5-year average operating margin of 60.4%.
Disclaimer: These articles are provided for information purposes only. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser. The author has no position in the stocks mentioned, unless otherwise stated.