Quality Investor

CompX International Inc.

Rank #218Capital ReturnWatchlistCompare with other stocks

CIX · NYSE · Industrials

CompX International Inc. (CIX) — Rank #218 by gross profitability (GP/assets 0.30) · ROE 13.5% · Piotroski F-Score N/A.

As-of 2026-10-30 · CIK 0001049606 · all metrics point-in-time as of the filing date.

About

CompX International Inc. manufactures and sells security products and recreational marine components primarily in North America.

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It operates in two segments, Security Products and Marine Components. The Security Products segment manufactures mechanical and electrical cabinet locks, and other locking mechanisms used in various applications, including ignition systems, mailboxes, file cabinets, desk drawers, tool storage cabinets, high security medical cabinetry, integrated inventory and access control secured narcotics boxes, electrical circuit panels, storage compartments, gas station security, and vending and cash containment machines. This segment also offers disc and pin tumbler locks; and CompX eLock and StealthLock electronic locks for drug storage and other valuables. The Marine Components segment manufactures and distributes wake enhancement systems, stainless steel exhaust components, gauges, throttle controls, and related hardware and accessories; trim tabs, steering wheels and billet aluminum accessories; original equipment and aftermarket stainless steel exhaust headers, exhaust pipes, mufflers and other exhaust components; GPS speedometers and tachometers; mechanical and electronic controls and throttles; dash panels, LED indicators and wire harnesses; and grab handles, pin cleats and other accessories; fabricated metal products; and related hardware and accessories for ski/wakeboard boats and performance boats, as well as for the recreational marine and other industries. The company offers its products to recreational transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare, and other industries. It sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers, as well as through distributors.

The company was incorporated in 1993 and is based in Dallas, Texas. CompX International Inc. (NYSEAM:CIX) operates as a subsidiary of NLI Holdings, Inc.

Industry
Security & Protection Services
Sector
Industrials
State
DE
Filer Category
Non-accelerated filer
Fiscal Year End
December 31

Company Snapshot

P/E and reverse DCF are the primary valuation lenses at this stage.

Market Cap

—

P/E (annual)

—

P/S (annual)

—

P/B

—

P/OCF (annual)

—

Shareholder Yield

—

Employees

549

Industry

Security & Protection Services

Exchange

NYSE

10/10

Flags passed

CIX passes 10/10 quality flags

  • PASS
    Gross margin holding
  • PASS
    Dilution within 2%
  • PASS
    FCF not negative from investment
  • PASS
    Disclosure consistent
  • PASS
    Revenue not declining
  • PASS
    Operating margin holding
  • PASS
    Free cash flow intact
  • PASS
    Passes safety gate
  • PASS
    No competitive retreat
  • PASS
    No valuation convergence

Strengths Revenue growth accelerating · Operating leverage expanding · Sequential beat (rev + EPS)

No data Balance sheet · SBC and margin — not counted as a pass.

A count of the 12 warning flags that could be evaluated. Unweighted: colour follows the worst flag.

Quality Profile

Profitability

1/1 pass
GP / assets
0.30
Return on equity
13.5%
Gross margin trend
PASS

Safety

1/1 pass
Balance-sheet safety
PASS
Debt / equity
0.12
Current ratio
6.69×
Net cash
$52.42M

Cash Flow

2/3 pass
Positive FCF
PASS
Cash-backed earnings
WARN
Accruals healthy
PASS
SBC / revenue
—

Growth

2/2 pass
Revenue growth
8.5%
Piotroski F-Score
N/A
Share dilution
0.0%

FCF yield, shareholder yield, and buyback activity are the primary reads at this stage.

Profitability

Does it make money well?

No warning flags · GP/assets 0.30

Gross profitability (GP / assets)

0.30

Primary signal (Novy-Marx).

4th of 12 SIC 34 peers

Return on equity

13.5%

Gross margin

30.4%

9th of 12 SIC 34 peers

Revenue growth (YoY)

8.5%

Gross margin improving

Margin trend vs prior year.

PASS

Operating Leverage

2022202320242025
Revenue vs COGS
Revenue vs OpEx
Op. Income vs Revenue

Growth

Revenue CAGR (3Y)

-1.7%

Revenue CAGR (5Y)

6.7%

Earnings CAGR (3Y)

-2.3%

FCF CAGR (3Y)

13.2%

Cash Flow Health

Is the cash real?

No warning flags · FCF 2% below net income

Free cash flow

$19.12M

Operating cash flow minus capex.

Positive free cash flow

PASS

FCF vs net income

-1.8%

(FCF − net income) ÷ |net income|. Positive: cash above earnings. Negative: below.

FCF not below net income

Fails when free cash flow is below net income (yellow flag).

WARN

Accruals healthy

Cash-backed earnings.

PASS

SBC / revenue

—

Stock-based comp intensity.

Balance Sheet Strength

Can it survive a storm?

No warning flags · net cash $52.42M

Balance-sheet safety

Composite anti-fragile check.

PASS

Debt / equity

0.12

1st of 12 SIC 34 peers (best = lowest)

Current ratio

6.69×

1st of 12 SIC 34 peers

Quick ratio

4.55×

Net cash

$52.42M

Cash & equivalents minus total debt.

Piotroski F-Score

N/A

Only 8/9 components determinable.

Valuation

Is the price reasonable?

No warning flags

Dividend safety

Composite score

0.8 / 5

Weak
Payout ratio
139.2%0/5 Weak
FCF coverage
0.71×1/5 Weak
Dividend growth streak
0 yr0/5 Weak
Balance-sheet health
D/E 0.12 · IC N/A2/5 Fair

Capital allocation quality

Composite score

1.3 / 5

Weak
Share count trend
0.0%2/5 Fair
Buyback timing
N/AN/A
Dividend growth consistency(non-payer or broken streak)
0 yr0/5 Weak
Net debt trajectory
-4.3%2/5 Fair

Lifecycle Phase History

20202025
Decline
Op. Leverage
Capital Return
Value

Price History

CIX+155.7% · +20.6% CAGRSPY+82.9% · +12.8% CAGR