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LCUT Stock Analysis 2026 - LIFETIME BRANDS, INC AI Rating

LCUT Nasdaq Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware DE CIK: 0000874396
Recently Updated • Analysis: Apr 12, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
STRONG SELL
90% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 LCUT Key Takeaways

Revenue: $647.9M
Net Margin: -4.2%
Free Cash Flow: $3.3M
Current Ratio: 2.85x
Debt/Equity: 0.67x
EPS: $-1.24
AI Rating: STRONG SELL with 90% confidence

Is LCUT a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis

Claude

Lifetime Brands exhibits severe financial distress with negative operating income, declining revenues (-5.1% YoY), and critically negative interest coverage (-0.6x), indicating inability to service $135M debt from operations. The minimal $4.3M cash position relative to substantial debt obligations and deteriorating profitability (-77.6% net income decline) creates significant solvency risk and limited financial flexibility.

Why Buy LCUT? Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Gross margin of 37.1% demonstrates reasonable underlying product economics
  • + Current ratio of 2.85x provides near-term liquidity buffer for operational needs
  • + Positive operating cash flow of $7.6M shows the core business generates some cash despite losses
  • + Moderate debt/equity ratio of 0.67x indicates leverage is not at extreme levels

LCUT Investment Risks to Consider

Claude
  • ! Negative interest coverage ratio of -0.6x means operating income cannot cover interest expenses, creating acute debt service risk
  • ! Revenue declining 5.1% YoY combined with negative operating margin of -1.5% indicates structural profitability deterioration
  • ! Critically low cash position of $4.3M is inadequate relative to $135M long-term debt and ongoing operational cash burn
  • ! Net income collapse of 77.6% YoY demonstrates rapidly worsening financial condition
  • ! Minimal free cash flow margin of 0.5% leaves virtually no buffer for unexpected challenges or debt repayment

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Interest coverage ratio - must improve from negative to positive to indicate debt sustainability
  • * Operating cash flow trend - critical to monitor for further deterioration below current $7.6M
  • * Cash balance trajectory - urgent need for stabilization or increase given debt obligations
  • * Revenue and operating margin trend - require stabilization and return to profitability
  • * Debt refinancing activity - critical given difficulty covering interest from operations

LCUT Financial Metrics

Revenue
$647.9M
Net Income
$-26.9M
EPS (Diluted)
$-1.24
Free Cash Flow
$3.3M
Total Assets
$572.6M
Cash Position
$4.3M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The relatively thin 0.5% FCF margin may limit capital allocation flexibility. Strong liquidity with a 2.85x current ratio provides a solid financial cushion.

LCUT Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin 37.1%
Operating Margin -1.5%
Net Margin -4.2%
ROE -13.3%
ROA -4.7%
FCF Margin 0.5%

LCUT vs Default Sector

How LIFETIME BRANDS, INC compares to Default sector averages

Net Margin
LCUT -4.2%
vs
Sector Avg 12.0%
LCUT Sector
ROE
LCUT -13.3%
vs
Sector Avg 15.0%
LCUT Sector
Current Ratio
LCUT 2.8x
vs
Sector Avg 1.8x
LCUT Sector
Debt/Equity
LCUT 0.7x
vs
Sector Avg 0.7x
LCUT Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is LCUT Overvalued or Undervalued?

Based on fundamental analysis, LIFETIME BRANDS, INC shows some fundamental concerns relative to the Default sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
-13.3%
Sector avg: 15%
Net Profit Margin
-4.2%
Sector avg: 12%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.67x
Sector avg: 0.7x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

LCUT Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
2.85x
Quick Ratio
1.37x
Debt/Equity
0.67x
Debt/Assets
0.0%
Interest Coverage
-0.63x
Long-term Debt
$135.0M

LCUT 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis

LCUT 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $862.9M, Net Income -$44.4M, EPS $-2.16. Year 2022: Revenue $862.9M, Net Income -$3.0M, EPS $-0.14. Year 2023: Revenue $862.9M, Net Income $20.8M, EPS $0.94. Year 2024: Revenue $727.7M, Net Income -$6.2M, EPS $-0.29. Year 2025: Revenue $686.7M, Net Income -$8.4M, EPS $-0.40.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: LIFETIME BRANDS, INC's revenue has declined by 20% over the 5-year period, indicating business contraction. The most recent EPS of $-0.40 indicates the company is currently unprofitable.

LCUT Growth Metrics (YoY)

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
0.5%
Free cash flow / Revenue

LCUT Quarterly Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for LIFETIME BRANDS, INC including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q3 2025 $171.9M $344.0K $0.02
Q2 2025 $131.9M -$4.2M $-0.85
Q1 2025 $140.1M -$4.2M $-0.19
Q3 2024 $183.8M $344.0K $0.02
Q2 2024 $141.7M -$6.3M $-0.31
Q1 2024 $142.2M -$6.3M $-0.29
Q3 2023 $186.6M $380.0K $0.20
Q2 2023 $146.4M $380.0K $-0.14

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

LCUT Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$7.6M
Cash generated from operations
Capital Expenditures
$4.4M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$3.8M
Returned to shareholders

LCUT SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for LIFETIME BRANDS, INC (CIK: 0000874396)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 12, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773350928.xml View →
Mar 12, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773350911.xml View →
Mar 12, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1773350864.xml View →
Mar 12, 2026 10-K lcut-20251231.htm View →
Mar 12, 2026 8-K lcut-20260312.htm View →

Frequently Asked Questions about LCUT

What is the AI rating for LCUT?

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC (LCUT) has an AI rating of STRONG SELL with 90% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are LCUT's key strengths?

Claude: Gross margin of 37.1% demonstrates reasonable underlying product economics. Current ratio of 2.85x provides near-term liquidity buffer for operational needs.

What are the risks of investing in LCUT?

Claude: Negative interest coverage ratio of -0.6x means operating income cannot cover interest expenses, creating acute debt service risk. Revenue declining 5.1% YoY combined with negative operating margin of -1.5% indicates structural profitability deterioration.

What is LCUT's revenue and growth?

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC reported revenue of $647.9M.

Does LCUT pay dividends?

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC pays dividends, with $3.8M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find LCUT SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for LIFETIME BRANDS, INC (CIK: 0000874396) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is LCUT's EPS?

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC has a diluted EPS of $-1.24.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is LCUT a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, LIFETIME BRANDS, INC has a STRONG SELL rating with 90% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.

Is LCUT stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for LCUT: ROE of -13.3% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of -4.2% (sector avg: 12%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

Should I buy LCUT stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives LIFETIME BRANDS, INC a combined STRONG SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is LCUT's free cash flow?

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC's operating cash flow is $7.6M, with capital expenditures of $4.4M. FCF margin is 0.5%.

How does LCUT compare to other Default stocks?

Vs Default sector averages: Net margin -4.2% (avg: 12%), ROE -13.3% (avg: 15%), current ratio 2.85 (avg: 1.8).

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Apr 12, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI