Does HELEN OF TROY LIMITED have an economic moat?

Based on its FY2026 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores HELEN OF TROY LIMITED (HELE) 54.4 out of 100 — a Shallow moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 71, returns on capital 49, balance-sheet safety 28, capital discipline 64.

Is HELE 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 $71.61 per share versus a recent price of $28.10 — 61% below value. This is an educational estimate computed from primary SEC filings, not investment advice.

How has HELE's Moat Score changed over time?

The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 54.4 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

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED

HELE · Industrials · $648.5M mkt cap · FY2026 filings · Shallow moat ·

On the watchlist

Shallow moat

The four filters

Pricing power71

Median gross margin 43.2% over 10y, very stable.

Returns on capital49

Median ROIC 10.8%, above the 9% hurdle in 70% of years.

Balance-sheet safety28

Net debt/EBITDA n/ax, interest coverage -14x.

Capital discipline64

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

Margin of safety

Above valueOn sale

61% below value

Owner earnings (normalized): $148.7M
Est. intrinsic value / share: $71.61
Recent price: $28.10
Discount to value: 61% below 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 HELE 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 scale54.4 / 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 — HELE 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

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

Nearest peers by Moat Score

#92SPRS SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.55.9 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#93ROCK GIBRALTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.54.8 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#95RBC RBC BEARINGS INCORPORATED54.2 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#96SWBI Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.53.8 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat

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

Common questions about HELE

Does HELEN OF TROY LIMITED have an economic moat?: Based on its FY2026 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores HELEN OF TROY LIMITED (HELE) 54.4 out of 100 — a Shallow moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 71, returns on capital 49, balance-sheet safety 28, capital discipline 64.
Is HELE 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 $71.61 per share versus a recent price of $28.10 — 61% below value. This is an educational estimate computed from primary SEC filings, not investment advice.
How has HELE's Moat Score changed over time?: The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 54.4 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 HELE. See the disclaimer.