Luxfer Holdings' (NYSE:LXFR) Returns On Capital: A Cause for Concern?

As an investor, it's essential to keep a close eye on the companies in your portfolio, and one key metric to consider is the return on capital employed (ROCE). This measure helps evaluate how efficiently a company is using its capital to generate profits. In the case of Luxfer Holdings (NYSE:LXFR), some investors may be worried about the company's recent ROCE trends.

Luxfer Holdings' ROCE has been on a downward trajectory over the past five years, declining from 15% to the current 9.3%. This decline can be attributed to a combination of decreasing profitability and flat capital employed. The company's earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) have decreased, which is a significant component of the ROCE calculation. Additionally, the amount of capital employed in the business has remained relatively flat, indicating that Luxfer Holdings is not efficiently utilizing its existing capital.

The machinery industry average ROCE is 12%, which is higher than Luxfer Holdings' current ROCE of 9.3%. This suggests that the company is facing pressure on its margins from competition within the industry. To improve its ROCE and better compete within its sector, Luxfer Holdings could consider several strategies, such as increasing profitability, expanding into higher margin segments, reducing capital employed, investing in growth opportunities, and improving asset utilization.

Despite the concerning underlying trends, the stock has actually gained 5.0% over the last five years. This may indicate that investors are expecting the trends to reverse. However, it is essential to monitor the company's progress and make adjustments as needed to ensure that its efforts are successful.

In conclusion, Luxfer Holdings' declining ROCE is a cause for concern, and the company should take steps to address the underlying issues contributing to this trend. By implementing the appropriate strategies, Luxfer Holdings can work towards improving its ROCE and better competing within its sector. However, it is crucial for investors to stay informed and make decisions based on the most up-to-date information.