MBUU

Consumer Cyclical

Malibu Boats, Inc. · Auto - Recreational Vehicles · $540M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
41.0
Below Average

Malibu Boats, Inc. scores 41.0/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Consumer Cyclical Sector
MBUU
41.0
Sector avg
37.7
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Good
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is Malibu Boats, Inc.?

Malibu Boats designs, manufactures, and sells recreational powerboats across multiple well-known brands. The company serves water sports enthusiasts and general boaters through independent dealers spanning North America and international markets.

The company operates through three segments — Malibu, Saltwater Fishing, and Cobalt — covering a broad range of recreational boating categories. Revenue is generated by selling performance sport boats, sterndrive boats, outboard boats, and saltwater fishing vessels through a network of independent dealers. Its brands target distinct buyer segments, from competitive wake athletes to offshore fishing enthusiasts, giving the company exposure across multiple recreational boating niches.

Malibu Boats, Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Loudon, Tennessee.

  • Performance sport boats for wakeboarding and wake surfing
  • Saltwater fishing boats under Pursuit, Maverick, Cobia, and Pathfinder brands
  • Sterndrive and outboard boats under the Cobalt brand
  • Entry-level sport boats under the Axis brand
  • Global dealer distribution across North America, Europe, and beyond

Is MBUU a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates MBUU as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key dimensions.

The Risk pillar stands out as a relative bright spot, suggesting the balance sheet and financial structure carry less immediate danger than the overall score might imply. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the market may already be pricing in a significant portion of the company's challenges — which can matter to patient, value-oriented investors.

Both the Quality and Moat pillars are rated Weak, pointing to thin competitive insulation and below-average business fundamentals relative to sector peers. Growth is rated Neutral, offering little near-term catalyst.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does MBUU pay dividends?

No — Malibu Boats, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.

Malibu Boats does not currently pay a dividend. For a cyclical manufacturer operating across multiple boat brands, retaining capital for product development, brand investment, and navigating demand cycles is a common strategic choice. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment.

When does MBUU report earnings?

Malibu Boats reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

The company's Growth pillar is rated Neutral, reflecting a business navigating a softer demand environment in recreational boating. Quality metrics remain under pressure, which is visible in the overall UQS profile.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Malibu Boats' official investor relations page.

MBUU Price History

-66.7% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Malibu Boats, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$3,265
That's a -67.3% total return, or -20.1% annualized.

Based on Malibu Boats, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

MBUU Long-term Outlook

The fundamental outlook for MBUU is cautious. A Neutral Growth rating suggests the business is not in freefall but lacks clear near-term acceleration. The Attractive Valuation label indicates the market has already discounted much of the risk, which could limit downside — but the Weak Quality and Moat ratings mean any recovery depends heavily on external demand conditions improving across the recreational boating sector.

Growth drivers

  • Potential recovery in consumer discretionary spending on recreational goods
  • Multi-brand portfolio spanning sport boats, fishing, and sterndrive categories
  • International dealer network providing exposure to markets outside North America

Key risks

  • Weak moat leaves pricing power vulnerable in a competitive boat market
  • Consumer cyclical exposure means demand is sensitive to economic downturns
  • Quality pillar weakness suggests operational or margin pressures may persist

MBUU vs Peers

Malibu Boats competes in a fragmented recreational marine market alongside several publicly traded peers.

MCFTSimilar UQS
MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc.

MasterCraft focuses narrowly on performance sport boats, making it a direct rival in the wake and tow-sport segment where Malibu's flagship brand competes most intensely.

MPXMBUU scores higher
Marine Products Corporation

Marine Products manufactures fiberglass powerboats and competes in the sterndrive and outboard categories that overlap with Malibu's Cobalt segment.

WGOMBUU scores higher
Winnebago Industries, Inc.

Winnebago is a broader outdoor recreation manufacturer that competes for the same consumer discretionary wallet share, including through its own marine product lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Malibu Boats do?

Malibu Boats designs and manufactures recreational powerboats across three segments: Malibu, Saltwater Fishing, and Cobalt. Its brands cover performance sport boats for water skiing and wake surfing, offshore fishing vessels, and sterndrive boats. Products are sold through independent dealers across North America and international markets.

Does MBUU pay dividends?

No, Malibu Boats does not currently pay a dividend. The company retains capital to fund operations and navigate the cyclical nature of the recreational boating market. Investors seeking regular income should note this before investing.

When does MBUU report earnings?

Malibu Boats follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. For precise reporting dates and the latest financial results, check the investor relations section of the company's official website.

Is MBUU a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates MBUU as Below Average, driven by Weak Quality and Moat pillars. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive and Risk is rated Good, which may interest value-oriented investors. The complete pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is MBUU overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, MBUU is rated Attractive — meaning the current market price appears to reflect, or more than reflect, the company's fundamental challenges. This does not guarantee upside but suggests the stock is not trading at a premium relative to its quality profile.

How does MBUU compare to its competitors?

Malibu Boats competes with MasterCraft Boat Holdings in the performance sport boat segment and with Marine Products Corporation in the sterndrive category. Winnebago Industries also competes for outdoor recreation consumer spending. UQS Score provides side-by-side pillar comparisons for Pro members.

What is MBUU's market cap bracket?

Malibu Boats is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer higher growth potential but also carries greater volatility and liquidity risk compared to large- or mega-cap peers.

Who founded Malibu Boats?

Malibu Boats has roots going back to 1982 when the original boat brand was established. The current publicly traded entity, Malibu Boats, Inc., was incorporated in 2014. Founding history details are widely available through the company's public filings and investor relations materials.

Is MBUU a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, MBUU's UQS profile raises caution. Weak Quality and Moat ratings suggest the business lacks durable competitive advantages that typically support long-term compounding. The Attractive Valuation and Good Risk ratings provide some offset, but long-term conviction would require improvement in the underlying business fundamentals.

What is the main competitive advantage of Malibu Boats?

Malibu Boats benefits from a multi-brand portfolio spanning distinct boating categories, which provides some revenue diversification. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating that durable competitive advantages — such as pricing power or switching costs — are not strongly evident at this time.

What sector does MBUU belong to?

Malibu Boats operates in the Consumer Cyclical sector, specifically within recreational marine manufacturing. This means the company's revenue and profitability are closely tied to consumer confidence and discretionary spending trends, making it sensitive to broader economic cycles.

Is MBUU a growth stock or value stock?

Based on UQS pillar ratings, MBUU leans toward value territory. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive while the Growth pillar is Neutral, suggesting the stock is not priced for aggressive growth expectations. It may appeal more to value-oriented investors than growth-focused ones.

Unlock Full MBUU Analysis

Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.

  • View the complete five-pillar UQS Score breakdown
  • Access detailed financial metrics behind each pillar
  • Compare MBUU side-by-side with sector peers
  • Screen for Attractive-valuation small-caps across Consumer Cyclical
  • Get the full analyst-grade quality and risk assessment
Analyze MBUU in Detail →

Pro Analysis

MBUU — Score History

40455055Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 15 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 7, 202646.528.421.050.775.484.6+0.1
May 3, 202646.428.421.050.775.484.40.0
May 1, 202646.428.421.050.775.484.0-0.3
Apr 26, 202646.728.421.051.675.484.6+0.1
Apr 22, 202646.628.421.051.675.484.2+0.9
Apr 19, 202645.728.421.048.075.483.3-0.3
Apr 18, 202646.028.921.048.075.484.1-0.2
Apr 14, 202646.228.921.048.075.485.2-0.1
Apr 12, 202646.328.921.048.075.485.9-0.2
Apr 11, 202646.528.921.048.075.487.4-0.1

MBUU — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

23.8/100 (25%)

Malibu Boats, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsModerate

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

66.2/100 (20%)

Malibu Boats, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

32.4/100 (15%)

Malibu Boats, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

78.1/100 (15%)

Malibu Boats, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

21/100 (25%)

Malibu Boats, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for MBUU.

Score Composition

Quality
23.8×25%6.0
Growth
66.2×20%13.2
Risk
32.4×15%4.9
Valuation
78.1×15%11.7
Moat
21.0×25%5.3
Total
41.0Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the MBUU UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Malibu Boats, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Malibu Boats, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Malibu Boats, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.