OSCR Stock Review: Strong Growth Meets Attractive Valuation

Core Viewpoint - Oscar Health stock (NYSE: OSCR) has seen a rise to over $16 due to potential two-year extensions of Obamacare subsidies, which may enhance demand for health insurance through the ACA Marketplace, raising questions about the stock's attractiveness post-increase [2] Market Position and Growth - Oscar Health has experienced significant growth, with revenues increasing at an average annual rate of 46.4% over the past three years, compared to the S&P 500's growth rate of 5.5% [3] - In the last 12 months, revenues rose by 37.4% to $11 billion, with the latest quarter showing a year-over-year increase of 23.2% [3] Margins and Profitability - Despite strong revenue growth, Oscar Health's profitability is lacking, with an operating cash flow margin of 6.8%, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 20.5% [4] - The company reported a net income of -$244 million over the last four quarters, resulting in a negative net income margin of -2.2% compared to the S&P 500's 13.1% [4] Financial Health - Oscar Health has a strong balance sheet, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.9%, below the S&P 500's 21.0% [5] - Cash constitutes 52.8% of its total assets, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 7.0%, providing a buffer against downturns [5] OSCR Stock Valuation - The current price-to-sales (P/S) ratio for OSCR is 0.4, compared to 3.2 for the S&P 500, indicating it is relatively inexpensive [6] - Oscar Health's P/S ratio aligns with industry trends, reflecting market expectations consistent with the health insurance sector's lower multiples due to thin profit margins [7] Historical Valuation Context - OSCR's average P/S ratio over the past four years has been about 0.4, suggesting it is reasonably valued against its historical levels despite being cheaper than the overall market [8] Resilience and Volatility - OSCR stock has shown poor performance during market downturns, plummeting 94.2% during the 2022 inflation crisis, while the S&P 500 declined by 25.4% [9] - The stock has not recovered to its previous highs and remains significantly below its peak in 2021, indicating a lack of resilience [9] Overall Evaluation - Oscar Health exhibits strong growth and solid financial health, but concerns about profitability and resilience during downturns persist [10] - The current valuation appears attractive compared to the S&P 500, suggesting it may be suitable for investors willing to accept higher volatility and sector-specific risks [10]