Kadant (KAI) Stock Fundamentals, Analysis & Risk Signals

Health score, price, valuation, risk signals, and key metrics at a glance.

Kadant

NYSE•Industrials•Specialty Industrial Machinery

$267.12-2.88(-0.01%)After hours

Market Cap

$3.14B

P/E

28.6x

P/S

2.7x

P/B

3.1x

Kadant Inc. supplies technologies and engineered systems worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Flow Control, Industrial Processing, and Material Handling. The Flow Control segment develops, manufactures, and markets fluid-handling systems, equipment, and integrated technologies, such as rotary joints, syphons, Turbulator bars, expansion joints, and engineered steam and condensate systems, as well as doctor systems and holders, doctor blades, cleaning showers and fabric-conditioning systems, forming systems and wear surfaces, and water-filtration systems. The Industrial Processing segment provides ring and rotary debarkers, stranders, chippers, engineered knife systems, and industrial automation and control products. This segment also offers recycling and approach flow systems, virgin pulping process equipment, boiler cleaning technologies, and single and double-screw presses. The Material Handling segment provides vibratory and conveying equipment; individual components and equipment for baling recyclable and waste materials; and fiber-based products. It sells its products and services through direct sales, independent sales agents, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Thermo Fibertek, Inc. and changed its name to Kadant Inc. in July 2001. Kadant Inc. was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts.

How this company scores

GoodMetricSide Score: 74/100

Strongest: Cash & Earnings Quality (23/25); weakest: Growth (16/25).

Profitability18/25

Growth16/25

Balance Sheet & Red Flags17/25

Cash & Earnings Quality23/25

Strengths

Strong marginsLow leverageInterest easily coveredCash-backed earnings

Valuation vs. 5-year range

Today's multiple positioned against its own trailing range — a visual premium/discount check.

P/E · 28.6x5y range 16.3x – 36.9x

Currently near its 20-quarter median.

P/S · 2.7x5y range 2.2x – 3.9x

Currently near its 20-quarter median.

P/B · 3.1x5y range 3.1x – 4.9x

Watch items

Data-driven signals worth keeping an eye on across the last 8 quarters

Some Concerns

Leverage Risk

Watch

Debt-to-equity has risen 87.0% recently — increasing financial risk even if the current ratio is manageable.

Price & Volume

Market Cap $3.14B

Metrics at a Glance

as of July 2026

Revenue & Profit

Revenue, EBITDA, operating income, net income, EPS, and shares

TTM Revenue: $1.15B
Q. Revenue: $312.88M
TTM EBITDA: $230.64M
TTM Op. Income: $173.31M
Q. Op. Income: $50.88M
TTM Net Income: $109.72M
Q. Net Income: $32.47M
EPS: $2.75
Shares Out.: $11.81M

$1.15B in TTM revenue grew 12.5% YoY, reaching $312.88M last quarter. TTM EBITDA of $230.64M and TTM operating income of $173.31M show growth is flowing through to the bottom line. TTM net income of $109.72M means revenue is converting into profit. Across the last 8 quarters, TTM revenue has risen for 3 consecutive quarters — an improving trend.

Margins

Gross, EBITDA, operating, and net margin trends

Gross Margin: 43.8%
EBITDA Margin: 21.2%
Op. Margin: 16.3%
Net Margin: 10.4%

Op. margin of 16.3% is up 0.8% YoY — cost efficiency is improving. Net margin at 10.4% and gross margin of 43.8% show how much of each revenue dollar survives to profit. Across the last 8 quarters, operating margin has risen for 2 consecutive quarters — an improving trend.

Price Ratios

P/E, P/S, P/B, EV/EBITDA, FCF yield, and earnings yield

P/E Ratio: 28.6x
P/S Ratio: 2.7x
P/B Ratio: 3.1x

At 28.6x P/E, the stock trades within typical market levels. P/S of 2.7x and P/B of 3.1x provide additional context. Use the growth and margin sections to judge whether the multiple is justified. Across the last 8 quarters, P/E has fallen for 3 consecutive quarters — an improving trend.

Assets & Liabilities

Total assets, cash, debt, book value, and leverage

Total Assets: $1.89B
Cash: $134.53M
Long-Term Debt: $507.46M
Book Value: $1.02B
D/E Ratio: 0.5
Debt/EBITDA: 7.6

With $1.89B in assets and $507.46M in long-term debt, D/E is 0.5and book value is $1.02B — a conservative capital structure with a cushion to weather downturns. Over the past year, debt/equity is up 87% — a weakening trend.

Cash Flow

Operating cash flow, free cash flow, FCF margin, and earnings quality

Op. Cash Flow: $53.51M
TTM Free Cash Flow: $159.99M
FCF Margin: 13.9%
FCF / Net Income: 1.5

TTM FCF of $159.99M on $53.51M in operating cash flow. The FCF / Net Income ratio of 1.5x means free cash flow covers net income — earnings are backed by cash. Over the past year, free cash flow is up 7% — an improving trend.