SFL (SFL)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $8.295 | Market Cap: $1.1 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Marine Transportation
SFL (SFL)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $8.295Market Cap: $1.1 BilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: Marine Transportation
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 16%, Dividend Yield is 13%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 12% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -60%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -57% | Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 240% |
| Attractive operating marginsOp Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 28% | Not cash flow generativeFCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -18% | |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 39% | ||
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 36% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Global Logistics & Maritime Trade, and Energy Infrastructure & Transition. Themes include Maritime Shipping & Transport, and Offshore Energy Logistics & Infrastructure. |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 16%, Dividend Yield is 13%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 12% |
| Attractive operating marginsOp Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 28% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 39% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 36% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Global Logistics & Maritime Trade, and Energy Infrastructure & Transition. Themes include Maritime Shipping & Transport, and Offshore Energy Logistics & Infrastructure. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -60%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -57% |
| Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 240% |
| Not cash flow generativeFCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -18% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
SFL Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Here are five key points explaining the 5.4% stock movement for SFL in the approximate time period from August 31, 2025, to December 4, 2025:
1. SFL reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter 2025 financial results. The company's earnings per share (EPS) of $0.07 (or $0.0881 by some accounts) significantly surpassed analyst expectations of a loss of -$0.01 or -$0.025. Revenue also exceeded forecasts, coming in at $178 million (or $178.2 million) against an anticipated $173.6 million (or $172.45 million). This positive earnings surprise led to a 6.42% rise in SFL's stock in pre-market trading following the announcement on November 11, 2025.
2. The company declared its 87th consecutive quarterly dividend. SFL announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share, payable around December 29, 2025. This consistent dividend payout, a long-standing practice for SFL, continued to signal a commitment to shareholder returns.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| SFL Return | -52% | 40% | 24% | 35% | -1% | -12% | -3% |
| Peers Return | -15% | 35% | 13% | 21% | -1% | 17% | 82% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| SFL Win Rate | 25% | 58% | 58% | 67% | 58% | 50% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 25% | 35% | 35% | 38% | 32% | 50% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| SFL Max Drawdown | -55% | 0% | -2% | -6% | -6% | -28% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -33% | -2% | -5% | -4% | -11% | -13% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: GNK, PANL, CMDB, OSG, KEX.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | SFL | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -24.8% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 33.0% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 99 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -59.9% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 149.3% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -32.3% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 47.7% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -87.5% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 700.7% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 1480 days |
Compare to GNK, PANL, CMDB, OSG, KEX
In The Past
SFL's stock fell -24.8% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 5/24/2021. A -24.8% loss requires a 33.0% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to SFL. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for SFL
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 12.72 |
| Mkt Cap | 1.0 |
| Rev LTM | 580 |
| Op Inc LTM | 137 |
| FCF LTM | -23 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 26 |
| CFO LTM | 58 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 90 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 3.6% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 9.7% |
| Rev Chg Q | 0.7% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 0.2% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 10.3% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 11.2% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -1.7% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 13.9% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 22.4% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | -7.0% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 6.7% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 1.0 |
| P/S | 1.6 |
| P/EBIT | 11.8 |
| P/E | 26.6 |
| P/CFO | 8.0 |
| Total Yield | 7.0% |
| Dividend Yield | 6.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 4.3% |
| D/E | 0.3 |
| Net D/E | 0.2 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 15.0% |
| 3M Rtn | 27.4% |
| 6M Rtn | 45.5% |
| 12M Rtn | 9.1% |
| 3Y Rtn | 58.0% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 15.0% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 19.9% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 30.7% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -5.6% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -10.5% |
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 6302025 | 8192025 | 6-K 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5142025 | 6-K 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 3172025 | 20-F 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 11072024 | 6-K 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8212024 | 6-K 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5282024 | 6-K 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 3142024 | 20-F 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11292023 | 6-K 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8312023 | 6-K 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5152023 | 6-K 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 3162023 | 20-F 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11252022 | 6-K 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8312022 | 6-K 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5132022 | 6-K 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 3242022 | 20-F 12/31/2021 |
| 9302021 | 11192021 | 6-K 9/30/2021 |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |