Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) — Stock Score Summary

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) has a MoatMap StockRank of 90/100 based on Quality (41/100), Value (53/100), and Momentum (82/100) factor scores. The current signal is STRONG BUY. Lee Enterprises, a traditional newspaper publisher, has an abysmal quantitative quality score (Q: 34) and operates in a secularly declining industry. This clearly violates the Terry Smith lens of avoiding 'broken business models' and seeking 'un-copyable moats' and 'long reinvestment runways.' There are no macro tailwinds that can fundamentally transform this business into a quality compounder or offer an asymmetric opportunity.

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated is a major American newspaper publisher providing local news, information, and advertising services across numerous markets. The company maintains a strong market position through its deep local market penetration and established brand recognition, serving as a primary source of community news and an effective advertising platform in the regions it operates.

Key Financial Metrics

Price$11.76
Market Cap$261M
P/E (Forward)17.05
Price/Book-1.41
Return on Invested Capital-0.4%
Gross Margin61.2%
Operating Margin6.0%
Revenue Growth-11.2%
Free Cash Flow$26M

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated operates in the Publishing industry, part of the Communication Services sector (United States).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lee Enterprises, Incorporated’s (LEE) StockRank?
MoatMap’s StockRank for Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) is 90/100, with a Strong Buy signal. It is a composite of Quality (41), Value (53), and Momentum (82) factor ranks across MoatMap’s 19,000+ stock universe.
Does Lee Enterprises, Incorporated have an economic moat?
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) has a Quality factor score of 41/100. 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 Lee Enterprises, Incorporated a buy, hold, or sell?
MoatMap’s current signal for Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) is Strong Buy, based on a StockRank of 90/100. 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 Lee Enterprises, Incorporated in?
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (LEE) operates in the Communication Services sector, specifically the Publishing industry (United States).
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