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Ocean Power Technologies (Ocean Power Technologies) Predictability Rank


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What is Ocean Power Technologies Predictability Rank?

1 (5)

Warren Buffett said many times that the companies he likes are:

1. Simple businesses that he understands
2. that have predictable and proven earnings and
3. with economic moat
4. those can be bought at a reasonable price.

It is hard to quantify "simple businesses that he (Buffett) understands", so we will focus on the other three characteristics instead. In GuruFocus Research: What worked in the market from 1998-2008? Part I: Introduction of Predictability Rank, we will show that the businesses that have predictable and proven earnings are usually also simple businesses that an average person could understand.

GuruFocus conducted a back test study of Warren Buffett's strategy of "buying good companies at fair prices" for the years from 1998-2008.


Ocean Power Technologies Predictability Rank Calculation

In our database there are 2403 stocks that have been traded from Jan. 2, 1998 to Aug. 31, 2008. We have the complete 10-year financial data and trading prices of these companies for this period. We rank the predictability of these companies based on the consistency of their revenue per share and EBITDA (earning before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) per share over the past ten fiscal years, and study the correlation between the stock performances and the predictability of the business.

Our study may be subject to these biases and assumptions:

Dividend yields are not counted for investment returns
Effects of price changes due to spin-offs may not be fully adjusted
Study is subjected to survivorship bias due to de-listing, bankruptcy, LBO, M&A, etc.

The correlation between business predictability and investment returns of a company is showed below.

Correlation Between Business Predictability and Investment Returns

PredictablesNon-PredictableAll stocks
Total Number of stocks57018332403
Total Lost Money61830891
Total Lost More Than 50%18412430
Total Lost More Than 90%48690
Average Gain260.6%100.0%138.1%
Median Gain150.0%13.0%39.0%
Maximum Gain2852.0%11483.0%11483.0%
Maximum Loss-100.0%-100.0%-100.0%
Annualized Average Gain12.7%6.7%8.4%
Annualized Median Gain8.9%1.1%3.1%


















For the 570 predictable companies, we have seen strong correlation between the predictability of businesses and the stock performances over the past 10 years, regardless of the valuation of business at 1998. Accordingly, we have ranked the business predictability from 5-star to 1-star, as shown in this table.

Predictability Rank5-Star4.5-Star4-Star3.5-Star3-Star2.5-Star2-Star1-Star (non-predictable)Average among all
% Out of All 2403 Stocks 3.3% 2.9% 3.7% 3.3% 3.3% 3.7% 3.3% 76.3% 100%
% that are in Loss (10y) 3% 10% 8% 9% 11% 18% 16% 45% 37%
Average Gain (10y) 364.6% 330.9% 278.0% 235.1% 243.5% 227.8% 154.8% 100.0% 138.1%
Median Gain (10y) 238.5% 193.5% 171.0% 159.0% 132.5% 113.5% 87.0% 13.0% 39.0%
Maximum Gainer 2228.0% 2547.0% 2452.0% 2852.0% 2432.0% 1892.0% 1807.0% 11483.0% 11483.0%
Maximum Loser -82.0% -53.0% -67.0% -100.0% -83.0% -100.0% -78.0% -100.0% -100.0%
Annualized Average Gain 15.4% 14.6% 13.2% 12.0% 12.2% 11.7% 9.1% 6.7% 8.4%
Annualized Median Gain 12.1% 10.6% 9.8% 9.3% 8.2% 7.3% 6.0% 1.1% 3.1%
















For detailed information about each predictability rank, please go to GuruFocus Research: What worked in the market from 1998-2008? Part I: Introduction of Predictability Rank

Also read:

Part II: What worked in the market from 1998-2008? Part II: Role of Valuations
Part III: Intrinsic Value, Discounted Cash Flow and Margin of Safety

Ocean Power Technologies Predictability Rank Related Terms

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Ocean Power Technologies (Ocean Power Technologies) Business Description

Traded in Other Exchanges
Address
28 Engelhard Drive, Suite B, Monroe Township, NJ, USA, 08831
Ocean Power Technologies Inc provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets. It provides ocean data collection and reporting, marine power, offshore communications, and Maritime Domain Awareness System (MDAS) products, integrated solutions, and consulting services. The company offers its products and services to a wide range of customers, including those in government and offshore energy, oil and gas, construction, wind power, and other industries. The company has operations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Executives
Peter E. Slaiby director 28 ENGELHARD DRIVE,, SUITE B, MONROE TOWNSHIP NJ 08831
Robert Patrick Powers officer: Senior VP and CFO 968 ALBANY SHAKER ROAD, LATHAM NY 12110
Philipp Stratmann officer: President and CEO 28 ENGELHARD DRIVE, SUITE B, MONROE TOWNSHIP NJ 08831
Lorenz Anderson Natalie M. director 28 ENGELHARD DRIVE, SUITE B, MONROE TOWNSHIP NJ 08831
Joseph Dipietro officer: Controller and Treasurer 28 ENGELHARD DRIVE, SUITE B, MONROE TOWNSHIP NJ 08831
Robert K Winters director 280 6TH AVENUE, BROOKLYN NY 11215
Diana G Purcel director C/O FAMOUS DVES OF AMERICA INC, 8091 WALLACE ROAD, EDEN PRAIRIE MN 55344
Clyde W Hewlett director 28, ENGLAND DRIVE, SUITE B, MONROE TOWNSHIP NJ 08831
Kirby George H Iii director, officer: President, CEO, and Director 28 ENGELHARD DRIVE, MONROE TOWNSHIP NJ 08831
Dean J Glover director C/O GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP INC., 5199 N. MINGO ROAD, TULSA OK 74117
Terence James Cryan director 2 HAMPSHIRE RD, BRONXVILLE NY 10708
Kristine S Moore director 28 ENGELHARD DRIVE, PENNINGTON NJ 08831
Steven M Fludder director 264 NANTASKET ROAD, HULL MA 02045
Christopher Phebus officer: Vice President - Engineering 28 ENGELHARD DRIVE, MONOROE TOWNSHIP NJ 08831
Matthew T Shafer officer: CFO and Treasurer 1590 REED ROAD, PENNINGTON NJ 08534