Does L.B. Foster Company have an economic moat?

Based on its FY2025 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores L.B. Foster Company (FSTR) 41.6 out of 100 — a Shallow moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 32, returns on capital 19, balance-sheet safety 85, capital discipline 47.

Is FSTR stock trading below its intrinsic value?

Against a deliberately conservative owner-earnings model (9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth, capped at 4%), estimated intrinsic value is $13.39 per share versus a recent price of $41.93 — 213% above value. This is an educational estimate computed from primary SEC filings, not investment advice.

How has FSTR's Moat Score changed over time?

The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 41.6 out of 100 (shallow moat). No tier changes on record yet. The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

The Moat Index

L.B. Foster Company

FSTR · Industrials · $425.0M mkt cap · FY2025 filings · Shallow moat ·

Doesn't clear the bar

Shallow moat

The four filters

Pricing power32

Median gross margin 19.6% over 10y, very stable.

Returns on capital19

Median ROIC 7.0%, above the 9% hurdle in 30% of years.

Balance-sheet safety85

Net debt/EBITDA 1.1x, no material interest expense disclosed.

Capital discipline47

Owner earnings trend unclear, share count shrinking (buybacks).

Margin of safety

Above valueOn sale

213% above value

Owner earnings (normalized): $12.2M
Est. intrinsic value / share: $13.39
Recent price: $41.93
Discount to value: 213% above value

Conservative model: 9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth (capped at 4%), maintenance capex ≈ min(capex, D&A).

Fundamentals

There's no normalized fundamentals series for FSTR yet — it appears once ingest has processed its filings.

Moat Score history

Moat Score over timeLast scored reading of each day, on the 0–100 scale41.6 / 100

Score history begins Jul 17, 2026 — the record builds from here and can’t be backfilled.

Tier changesSame-methodology crossings of the Wide / Narrow / Shallow bars

None yet — FSTR has read Shallow moat for every logged capture since Jul 17, 2026.

Scores are logged append-only and never overwritten — this record can’t be backfilled, which is exactly why it’s worth keeping.

Industrials context

#145 of 309 scored Industrials companies, ranked by Moat Score.

Nearest peers by Moat Score

#143LFUS LITTELFUSE INC /DE42.1 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#144GDC GD CULTURE GROUP LIMITED42.0 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#146LMB LIMBACH HOLDINGS, INC.41.6 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#147ARW ARROW ELECTRONICS, INC.41.1 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat

Compare FSTR with its nearest peers →All Industrials companies on the Index →

Common questions about FSTR

Does L.B. Foster Company have an economic moat?: Based on its FY2025 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores L.B. Foster Company (FSTR) 41.6 out of 100 — a Shallow moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 32, returns on capital 19, balance-sheet safety 85, capital discipline 47.
Is FSTR stock trading below its intrinsic value?: Against a deliberately conservative owner-earnings model (9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth, capped at 4%), estimated intrinsic value is $13.39 per share versus a recent price of $41.93 — 213% above value. This is an educational estimate computed from primary SEC filings, not investment advice.
How has FSTR's Moat Score changed over time?: The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 41.6 out of 100 (shallow moat). No tier changes on record yet. The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

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Scored from primary SEC filings via the public methodology. Educational only — not a recommendation to buy or sell FSTR. See the disclaimer.