| Factor | Score | Distribution | Value | Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valuation | 25 | — | 17.6x | Bottom tier | |
Growth | 23 | 3.9% | 7.1% | Bottom tier | |
Quality | 34 | 0.1% | 4.5% | Bottom tier | |
Safety | 91 | — | 2.6x | Top tier | |
Capital Return | 74 | — | 2.15% | Top tier | |
Momentum | 37 | -11.7% | 2.3% | Bottom tier | |
Sentiment | 33 | 2 | 3 | Bottom tier |
Estimates — analyst targets and a simplified DCF, not investment advice.
Ten ratios that matter, each compared against its sector median and average — so you can see whether a number is rich or cheap relative to peers in the same sector.
Clearfield, Inc. operates in the fiber optic infrastructure and broadband communications solutions market, generating revenue by providing BABA-compliant cable pulling solutions, fiber termination systems, and the recently announced NOVA platform. The company primarily serves community broadband service providers and large regional carriers, with an increasing focus on adjacent markets such as edge AI infrastructure and data centers. The company recently completed the sale of its Nestor Cables business to focus entirely on its core operations and long-term strategy in the fiber optic sector.
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, the company reported net sales of $34.4 million, coming in at the high end of its guidance range of $32 million to $35 million, despite a 15 percent decrease compared to $40.6 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Gross profit margin declined to 32.5 percent compared to 34.4 percent last year, primarily due to lower sales volume. The company recorded a net loss of $528,000, or a loss of $0.04 per share, which was in line with expectations. Despite the net loss, the backlog increased by 39 percent compared to the first quarter, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.3, which supports a positive outlook for the second half of the year.
Automated analysis for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Clearfield stock currently trades below the average analyst price target of $40.67, with a target range between $38 and $44. The analyst consensus reflects a buy recommendation, supported by expectations of 10 percent revenue growth for fiscal year 2026 and a debt-free balance sheet. The current lack of a P/E ratio points to recently recorded losses, but positive guidance for the third quarter supports the valuation outlook.
Figures in the text are as of 2026-08-07; the live price is shown at the top of the page.
The company reported revenue of $34.4 million in the second quarter of 2026, a 15 percent decrease compared to $40.6 million in the same quarter last year. This decline is partially due to a large regional customer pulling its orders forward into the second quarter of last year instead of the third quarter. However, this revenue came in at the high end of the company's guidance range, which was between $32 million and $35 million.
Management confirmed that the pace of BEAD program funding remains the primary constraint on the company's core business due to ongoing delays. Clearfield now expects tangible revenue associated with this program to begin materializing during fiscal year 2027. This delay is due to uncertainty regarding the timing of fund disbursements and challenges related to the availability of BABA-compliant fiber optics.
The company is increasingly focusing on long-term opportunities associated with distributed computing and edge infrastructure required by low-latency AI applications. The company recently announced the NOVA platform, designed to provide the flexibility and scalability to support the next generation of this infrastructure. Management expects to begin shipping products from this platform during the second half of the current fiscal year to meet the growing demand for high-density optical connectivity.
Clearfield ended the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 with a very strong financial position that provides it with significant operational flexibility to execute its strategies. The company holds approximately $147 million in cash and short- and long-term investments. Furthermore, the company carries no debt on its balance sheet, which enabled it to repurchase 237,000 shares for $7.3 million during the last quarter.
