ACTG
BEARISH
$4.88
Live
Acacia Research Corporation · NASDAQ
Target $6.0
(+23.0%)
$2.7
52W Range
$5.13
At a glance
Key valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics.
Updated Mar 14, 2026
Market cap
$470.73M
P/E
81.33
ROE
4.3%
Profit margin
7.6%
Debt/Equity
0.17
Dividend yield
N/A
AI Analysis
AI-powered fundamental assessment
Confidence
85%
ACTG exhibits severe financial health concerns, evidenced by a Piotroski F-Score of 2/9 (indicating weak fundamentals) and a missing Altman Z-Score, which raises distress risk concerns. Despite a Graham Number of $2.76 suggesting undervaluation, the stock trades at $4.88, implying a premium driven by speculative growth expectations. The company shows erratic earnings performance with massive EPS surprises, including a -2247% miss in 2022 and a 1587% beat in 2021, signaling extreme inconsistency. Profitability remains weak, with negative operating margins (-26.1%) and low ROE (4.31%), while revenue growth is minimal (2.6% YoY). The technical trend is bearish (10/100), and insider activity is neutral, offering no conviction.
Key Strengths
High current and quick ratios (9.18 and 7.89) indicate strong short-term liquidity
Low debt-to-equity ratio (0.17) suggests conservative capital structure
Recent quarterly EPS growth of +400% and +116.7% YoY signal potential turnaround momentum
Graham Number of $2.76 provides a defensive floor for valuation
Analyst consensus is strong_buy, indicating optimistic forward outlook
Key Risks
Piotroski F-Score of 2/9 indicates severe financial distress and weak operational health
Negative operating margin (-26.1%) and inconsistent earnings undermine profitability sustainability
Forward P/E of -9.21 and lack of reliable earnings growth data suggest no current profitability
No insider buying in the last 6 months, with neutral activity, indicating lack of confidence
Extreme EPS volatility (e.g., -2247% surprise) reflects unreliable earnings predictability
AI Fair Value Estimate
Based on comprehensive analysis
$2.76
-43.4% below current price
Performance Snowflake
Multi-dimensional analysis across 5 key categories
Overall
33
Weak
65
52
28
20
0
AI Verdict
Weak
Key drivers: Low Piotroski F-Score, Negative operating margin, High valuation relative to earnings, Erratic earnings history, Lack of dividend and weak cash flow
Confidence
85%
Value
65/100
Stock trades at a significant premium to Graham Number due to speculative growth expectations, despite weak fundamentals.
Positives
- Graham Number of $2.76 suggests undervaluation
- Price/Book of 0.87 below 1.0, indicating potential asset coverage
Watchpoints
- Current price ($4.88) is 77% above Graham Number
- P/E of 81.33 is extremely high for a company with negative operating margins
- Forward P/E is negative, indicating no expected earnings
Future
52/100
Growth appears strong in the short term but is not sustainable or predictable based on historical patterns.
Positives
- Recent Q/Q EPS growth of +400%
- Year-over-year EPS growth of +116.7%
- Strong analyst target price of $6.00
Watchpoints
- Forward P/E is negative (-9.21), indicating no earnings forecast
- No reliable growth data beyond last quarter
- Historical earnings volatility undermines growth credibility
Past
28/100
Historical performance is highly erratic, with frequent large misses and inconsistent profitability.
Positives
- High current and quick ratios indicate strong liquidity
- Low debt-to-equity ratio (0.17) reflects conservative leverage
Watchpoints
- Piotroski F-Score of 2/9 signals poor historical performance
- Negative operating margin in multiple quarters
- Massive EPS surprises (e.g., -2247%) indicate unreliable reporting
Health
20/100
Despite strong liquidity, the company's core profitability and financial stability are critically weak.
Positives
- Low debt-to-equity (0.17)
- High current and quick ratios (9.18, 7.89)
Watchpoints
- Piotroski F-Score of 2/9 indicates severe financial weakness
- Missing Altman Z-Score raises bankruptcy risk concerns
- Negative operating margin (-26.1%) and low ROE (4.31%)
Dividend
0/100
The company does not pay dividends, and there is no indication of future intent.
Positives
No standout positives identified.
Watchpoints
- No dividend yield or payout ratio
- Dividend Strength: 0/100
- No history of dividend payments
Stock Price & Analyst Targets
Real-time price movements and analyst price targets
Current Price
$4.88
Analyst Target
$6.0
Upside/Downside
+23.0%
Multi-Horizon Performance vs Peers
Price momentum across 5Y → 1W horizons for ACTG and closest competitors.
Updated 2026-03-13
| Company | 5Y | 3Y | 1Y | 6M | 1M | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ACTG
Acacia Research Corporation
Primary
|
-23.6% | +8.4% | +35.2% | +48.3% | +20.2% | +19.6% |
|
AIRTP
Air T, Inc.
Peer
|
+27.4% | +17.1% | +23.6% | +8.2% | -1.4% | +0.0% |
|
CYRX
Cryoport, Inc.
Peer
|
-82.9% | -56.6% | +67.8% | -6.0% | +13.8% | +11.2% |
|
ASC
Ardmore Shipping Corporation
Peer
|
+326.9% | +2.1% | +5.3% | +17.2% | +11.2% | -0.2% |
|
ESEA
Euroseas Ltd.
Peer
|
+869.5% | +448.5% | +161.7% | +26.3% | +6.7% | +2.8% |
ACT
Acacia Research Corporation
Primary
5Y
-23.6%
3Y
+8.4%
1Y
+35.2%
6M
+48.3%
1M
+20.2%
1W
+19.6%
AIR
Air T, Inc.
Peer
5Y
+27.4%
3Y
+17.1%
1Y
+23.6%
6M
+8.2%
1M
-1.4%
1W
+0.0%
CYR
Cryoport, Inc.
Peer
5Y
-82.9%
3Y
-56.6%
1Y
+67.8%
6M
-6.0%
1M
+13.8%
1W
+11.2%
ASC
Ardmore Shipping Corporation
Peer
5Y
+326.9%
3Y
+2.1%
1Y
+5.3%
6M
+17.2%
1M
+11.2%
1W
-0.2%
ESE
Euroseas Ltd.
Peer
5Y
+869.5%
3Y
+448.5%
1Y
+161.7%
6M
+26.3%
1M
+6.7%
1W
+2.8%
Positive values indicate cumulative gains over the specified period. Comparables pulled from the same sector to highlight whether momentum is stock-specific or industry-wide.
Historical Performance Trends
Long-term financial metrics and growth patterns
Revenue & Net Income
Profit & Operating Margins
Return on Equity (ROE)
Quarterly Revenue Growth
Historical data shows last 12 quarters (3 years)
Valuation Metrics
Key valuation ratios and pricing indicators
P/E Ratio
81.33
Forward P/E
-9.21
PEG Ratio
N/A
P/B Ratio
0.87
P/S Ratio
1.65
EV/Revenue
0.88
EV/EBITDA
4.82
Market Cap
$470.73M
Profitability
Profit margins and return metrics
Profit Margin
7.6%
Operating Margin
-26.1%
Gross Margin
29.62%
ROE
4.31%
ROA
0.53%
Growth
Revenue and earnings growth rates
Revenue Growth
+2.6%
Earnings Growth
N/A
Q/Q Revenue Growth
N/A
Q/Q Earnings Growth
N/A
Financial Health
Balance sheet strength and liquidity metrics
Debt/Equity
0.17
Low debt
Current Ratio
9.18
Strong
Quick Ratio
7.89
Excellent
Cash/Share
$3.74
Quarterly Earnings History
EPS performance vs analyst estimates
2026-05-07
$N/A
2026-03-11
$0.03
+121.4% surprise
2025-11-05
$-0.01
+92.9% surprise
2025-08-06
$-0.06
-20.0% surprise
Industrials Sector Comparison
Comparing ACTG against 277 companies in the Industrials sector
(19 bullish, 97 neutral, 161 bearish)
P/E Ratio
81.33
This Stock
vs
81.56
Sector Avg
-0.3%
(Discount)
Return on Equity (ROE)
4.31%
This Stock
vs
-20.04%
Sector Avg
-121.5%
(Below Avg)
Profit Margin
7.6%
This Stock
vs
12.29%
Sector Avg
-38.1%
(Weaker)
Debt to Equity
0.17
This Stock
vs
3.15
Sector Avg
-94.5%
(Less Debt)
Revenue Growth
2.6%
This Stock
vs
111.87%
Sector Avg
-97.7%
(Slower)
Current Ratio
9.18
This Stock
vs
3.12
Sector Avg
+194.4%
(Stronger)
Similar Companies
Peer comparison within the same industry
| Company | AI Rating | Market Cap | P/E | ROE | Profit Margin | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ACTG
Acacia Research Corporation
|
BEARISH | $470.73M | 81.33 | 4.3% | 7.6% | $4.88 | |
|
AIRTP
Air T, Inc.
|
BEARISH | $473.57M | 58.51 | -48.3% | -2.5% | $19.66 | Compare |
|
CYRX
Cryoport, Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $461.13M | - | -7.5% | 44.4% | $9.21 | Compare |
|
ASC
Ardmore Shipping Corporation
|
NEUTRAL | $484.71M | 15.08 | 5.4% | 11.5% | $11.91 | Compare |
|
ESEA
Euroseas Ltd.
|
BULLISH | $488.48M | 3.31 | 33.1% | 60.1% | $69.23 | Compare |
ACTG
Acacia Research...
BEARISH
Mkt Cap
$471M
P/E
81.3
ROE
4.3%
Price
$4.88
Recent Insider Trading
Insider buy and sell transactions from the last 6 months
| Date | Insider | Position | Transaction | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | SUNDAR AJAY | Director | Stock Award | 5,348 | $20,002 |
| 2025-12-31 | MOLINELLI GAVIN T | Director | Stock Award | 8,021 | $29,999 |
| 2025-09-30 | MOLINELLI GAVIN T | Director | Stock Award | 9,231 | $30,001 |
| 2025-09-30 | SUNDAR AJAY | Director | Stock Award | 6,154 | $20,000 |
SUNDAR AJAY
Director
2025-12-31
5,348 shares
·
$20,002
MOLINELLI GAVIN T
Director
2025-12-31
8,021 shares
·
$29,999
MOLINELLI GAVIN T
Director
2025-09-30
9,231 shares
·
$30,001
SUNDAR AJAY
Director
2025-09-30
6,154 shares
·
$20,000
Insider transactions can signal confidence or concerns about company prospects
Wall Street Analysts
Professional analyst ratings and price targets
Consensus
STRONG_BUY
1 analysts
Craig-Hallum
2026-03-12
Buy
Buy
Past News Coverage
Recent headlines mentioning ACTG from our newsroom.
Newest → oldest
No matching news yet.