Kadant Inc. (KAI) — Stock Score Summary

Kadant Inc. (KAI) has a MoatMap StockRank of 66/100 based on Quality (70/100), Value (29/100), and Momentum (51/100) factor scores. The current signal is BUY. Kadant is a high-quality, high-ROIC industrial company specializing in process industries like paper and recycling. However, it lacks a strong, direct connection to our high-conviction macro themes for the next 18 months.

Kadant Inc. is a global supplier of highly-engineered systems and components for critical process industries, with a primary focus on the paper, packaging, and textile sectors. The company's competitive moat is based on its specialized engineering know-how, strong customer relationships, and recurring revenue from consumables and aftermarket parts for its installed equipment. Kadant maintains a strong niche position, providing mission-critical solutions that enhance efficiency and sustainability in its target industries.

Key Financial Metrics

Price$303.89
Market Cap$3.8B
P/E (TTM)34.61
P/E (Forward)22.44
Price/Book3.60
Return on Equity11.1%
Return on Invested Capital10.7%
Debt/Equity36.11
Gross Margin45.2%
Operating Margin15.0%
Revenue Growth17.7%
Dividend Yield0.5%
Free Cash Flow$102M

Kadant Inc. operates in the Specialty Industrial Machinery industry, part of the Industrials sector (United States).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kadant Inc.’s (KAI) StockRank?
MoatMap’s StockRank for Kadant Inc. (KAI) is 66/100, with a Buy signal. It is a composite of Quality (70), Value (29), and Momentum (51) factor ranks across MoatMap’s 19,000+ stock universe.
Does Kadant Inc. have an economic moat?
Kadant Inc. (KAI) has a Quality factor score of 70/100. The Quality factor combines ROIC, Piotroski F-Score, and leverage — the financial fingerprints of a durable competitive advantage. A Quality score above 70 typically indicates a company with the characteristics of a moated business.
Is Kadant Inc. a buy, hold, or sell?
MoatMap’s current signal for Kadant Inc. (KAI) is Buy, based on a StockRank of 66/100. Signals are derived mechanically from the StockRank composite and should be one input among many — combine with your own thesis on management, competitive position, and valuation.
What sector is Kadant Inc. in?
Kadant Inc. (KAI) operates in the Industrials sector, specifically the Specialty Industrial Machinery industry (United States).