XPEL
Consumer CyclicalXPEL, Inc. · Auto - Parts · $1B
What is XPEL, Inc.?
XPEL, Inc. is a San Antonio-based company specializing in after-market automotive protection products. Founded in 1997, it has grown into a global distributor of paint protection films, window tints, and ceramic coatings sold across multiple continents.
XPEL generates revenue by manufacturing and distributing automotive surface protection products — primarily paint protection film and window film — alongside proprietary design-cut software. Products reach customers through independent installers, new car dealerships, company-owned installation centers, franchisees, and direct online sales. The company serves markets across the United States, Canada, China, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, giving it a notably broad international footprint for a small-cap business.
XPEL was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.
- Paint protection film for automotive surfaces
- Headlight and window protection film
- Ceramic coatings for vehicles
- Proprietary DAP software for precision film cutting
- After-care products, tools, and accessories
Is XPEL a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates XPEL as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with notable strengths and a few areas worth watching.
The Risk pillar stands out as the strongest element of XPEL's profile, suggesting the business carries a relatively conservative financial structure. Growth and Quality pillars both register as Good, pointing to a company that has expanded its footprint while maintaining reasonable operational discipline.
The Moat pillar rates Neutral, indicating that XPEL's competitive advantages — while real — are not yet considered wide or deeply entrenched relative to the broader sector.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does XPEL pay dividends?
No — XPEL, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
XPEL does not currently pay a dividend. As a growth-oriented small-cap, the company appears to prioritize reinvesting capital into geographic expansion, product development, and its installer network rather than returning cash to shareholders through distributions. Investors seeking income may want to factor this into their broader portfolio planning.
When does XPEL report earnings?
XPEL reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
The company's Good Growth pillar label suggests revenue expansion has continued at a pace above what might be expected from a mature automotive supplier. International markets have been a meaningful contributor to that trajectory. For the latest quarterly figures and management commentary, visit XPEL's investor relations page directly.
For the most recent quarter's results, see XPEL, Inc.'s investor relations page.
XPEL Price History
-43.8% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in XPEL, Inc.?
Based on XPEL, 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.
XPEL Long-term Outlook
XPEL's fundamental outlook is shaped by a Good Growth pillar paired with a Strong Risk profile — a combination that suggests the business is expanding without taking on excessive financial strain. The Valuation pillar also rates Good, meaning the stock does not appear to be pricing in an unrealistic growth scenario. That said, the Neutral Moat rating introduces some uncertainty about how durable the growth trajectory will prove as competition in the automotive protection space intensifies.
Growth drivers
- Continued international market penetration across Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America
- Growing consumer demand for vehicle protection and appearance products
- Expansion of the installer network and franchise channel
Key risks
- Limited moat depth could allow well-resourced competitors to erode pricing power
- Consumer cyclical exposure means demand can soften during economic downturns
- Small-cap size limits financial flexibility compared to larger automotive suppliers
XPEL vs Peers
XPEL operates in the broader automotive products space alongside companies with quite different business models and scale.
Douglas Dynamics focuses on work-truck attachments like snow plows and spreaders, serving a commercial utility market rather than consumer vehicle aesthetics.
Adient is a large-scale automotive seating manufacturer supplying OEMs globally, operating at a much larger revenue base and with deeper ties to the original equipment supply chain.
Aeva develops lidar sensing technology for autonomous vehicles, placing it firmly in the advanced-tech segment of automotive rather than the after-market protection niche XPEL occupies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does XPEL, Inc. do?
XPEL manufactures and distributes after-market automotive protection products, including paint protection film, window film, ceramic coatings, and headlight protection. It also offers proprietary software that helps installers cut film precisely to vehicle specifications. Products are sold through independent installers, dealerships, company-owned centers, and online channels across multiple countries.
Does XPEL pay dividends?
XPEL does not currently pay a dividend. The company appears to reinvest available capital into growth initiatives such as geographic expansion and network development rather than distributing cash to shareholders. Investors focused on income may want to consider this when evaluating the stock.
When does XPEL report earnings?
XPEL follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. For the exact timing of upcoming reports and access to past earnings releases, check the investor relations section of XPEL's official website.
Is XPEL a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates XPEL as Good overall. The Risk pillar is the standout strength, while Growth and Quality also register positively. The Moat pillar is Neutral, which is worth monitoring. Whether XPEL fits your portfolio depends on your own risk tolerance and investment goals — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is XPEL overvalued?
XPEL's Valuation pillar rates as Good, suggesting the stock is not pricing in an extreme growth premium relative to its fundamentals. That said, valuation is one of five pillars in the UQS framework, and the complete picture requires reviewing all dimensions together. Pro members can access the detailed valuation metrics.
How does XPEL compare to its competitors?
XPEL occupies a distinct niche in automotive after-market protection, which sets it apart from peers like Adient, which serves OEM seating, or Aeva, which develops autonomous vehicle sensors. Its small-cap size means it operates with less financial scale than some sector peers, but its focused product line gives it a targeted market position.
What is XPEL's market cap bracket?
XPEL is classified as a small-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer growth potential but also carries higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to mid-cap or large-cap peers in the consumer cyclical sector.
Who founded XPEL, Inc.?
XPEL was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Detailed founding history and leadership background are publicly available through the company's official investor relations materials and corporate website.
Is XPEL a long-term quality stock?
From a long-term quality perspective, XPEL's Strong Risk pillar and Good Quality rating suggest a business with reasonable financial discipline. The Neutral Moat rating is the key variable — durable long-term performance typically benefits from stronger competitive barriers. Pro members can view the full analysis to assess long-term fit.
What is the main competitive advantage of XPEL?
XPEL's edge comes from its integrated model — combining proprietary design-cut software, a broad installer network, and a globally distributed product line. This creates switching costs for trained installers and recurring demand through its software and consumables ecosystem, though the Moat pillar currently rates Neutral, reflecting that these advantages are not yet considered wide.
What sector does XPEL belong to?
XPEL is classified under the Consumer Cyclical sector. This means its business performance tends to be sensitive to consumer spending trends and broader economic conditions — demand for premium vehicle protection products can soften during periods of economic stress.
Is XPEL a growth stock or value stock?
Based on its UQS pillar profile, XPEL shows characteristics of both. The Growth pillar rates Good, indicating meaningful expansion momentum, while the Valuation pillar also rates Good — suggesting the market has not yet assigned a steep premium multiple. It sits closer to a growth-at-reasonable-value profile than a pure growth or deep-value play.
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Pro Analysis
XPEL — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 65.6 | 66.7 | 43.0 | 61.2 | 100.0 | 73.0 | +0.4 |
| May 21, 2026 | 65.2 | 66.4 | 43.0 | 61.2 | 100.0 | 70.5 | -1.2 |
| May 13, 2026 | 66.4 | 67.6 | 43.0 | 61.2 | 100.0 | 76.7 | +0.3 |
| May 12, 2026 | 66.1 | 67.2 | 43.0 | 61.2 | 100.0 | 75.3 | +0.3 |
| May 10, 2026 | 65.8 | 66.7 | 43.0 | 61.2 | 100.0 | 74.4 | 0.0 |
| May 7, 2026 | 65.8 | 66.6 | 43.0 | 62.6 | 100.0 | 72.6 | +0.4 |
| May 3, 2026 | 65.4 | 66.6 | 43.0 | 62.6 | 100.0 | 69.8 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 65.5 | 66.6 | 43.0 | 62.6 | 100.0 | 70.5 | 0.0 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 65.5 | 66.6 | 43.0 | 62.6 | 100.0 | 70.3 | 0.0 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 65.5 | 66.6 | 43.0 | 62.6 | 100.0 | 70.5 | -1.1 |
XPEL — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 66.5/100 (25%)XPEL, Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 61.2/100 (20%)XPEL, Inc. demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 100.0/100 (15%)XPEL, Inc. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 71.8/100 (15%)XPEL, Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 43/100 (25%)XPEL, Inc. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. 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 XPEL.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the XPEL UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for XPEL, 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 XPEL, 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 XPEL, 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.