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Upturn AI SWOT - About
REFR 
Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/01/2025: REFR (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
AI Based Fundamental Rating
Below Average Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, often underperform the market, warranting careful consideration before investing.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -28% | Avg. Invested days 31 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 04/01/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 38.02M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 3 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 26771 | Beta 0.27 | 52 Weeks Range 1.10 - 2.41 | Updated Date 04/1/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 1.10 - 2.41 | Updated Date 04/1/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -0.04 |
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-03-05 | When Before Market | Estimate - | Actual -0.0181 |
Profitability
Profit Margin -98.19% | Operating Margin (TTM) -350.42% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) -22.84% | Return on Equity (TTM) -42.84% |
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 37324463 | Price to Sales(TTM) 28.47 |
Enterprise Value 37324463 | Price to Sales(TTM) 28.47 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 27.95 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA -24.11 | Shares Outstanding 33648200 | Shares Floating 28665929 |
Shares Outstanding 33648200 | Shares Floating 28665929 | ||
Percent Insiders 17.67 | Percent Institutions 12.55 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating - | Target Price - | Buy - | Strong Buy - |
Buy - | Strong Buy - | ||
Hold - | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Research Frontiers Incorporated
Company Overview
History and Background
Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) was founded in 1965. It is a technology licensing company primarily focused on patented SPD-SmartGlass light-control technology. It licenses this technology to manufacturers of windows, sunroofs, and displays.
Core Business Areas
- SPD-SmartGlass Licensing: Licenses SPD-SmartGlass technology to manufacturers of windows, sunroofs, displays, and other products. Revenue is primarily generated through royalties on licensees' sales.
Leadership and Structure
Joseph M. Harary is the President and CEO. The company is structured around technology licensing and patent management.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- SPD-SmartGlass Technology: SPD-SmartGlass is a light-control film that can be electrically switched to vary the amount of light passing through it. It is used in automotive sunroofs, windows, architectural applications, and aircraft windows. While direct market share data for SPD-SmartGlass specifically is difficult to ascertain, the broader smart glass market includes competitors such as View, Inc., SageGlass (Saint-Gobain), and Kinestral Technologies.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The smart glass market is growing, driven by demand for energy-efficient building solutions, enhanced privacy, and dynamic light control in various applications. Key drivers include green building initiatives and increasing adoption in automotive and aerospace sectors.
Positioning
Research Frontiers holds key patents in SPD light-control technology. Its competitive advantage lies in its licensing model, allowing it to profit from the growth of the smart glass market without directly manufacturing products.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The global smart glass market is expected to reach billions of dollars, with projections varying depending on the source. Research Frontiers, as a technology licensor, is positioned to capture a portion of this TAM through royalty revenues from its licensees.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong patent portfolio in SPD-SmartGlass technology
- Licensing business model provides recurring revenue stream
- Established relationships with licensees across various industries
Weaknesses
- Reliance on licensees' sales performance
- Limited direct control over product quality and market penetration
- Revenue depends on the successful commercialization of SPD-SmartGlass products by licensees
Opportunities
- Expanding applications of SPD-SmartGlass in automotive, aerospace, and architectural markets
- Increasing adoption of smart glass in green building projects
- Potential for new licensing agreements in emerging markets
Threats
- Competition from alternative smart glass technologies
- Patent infringement and litigation risks
- Economic downturns impacting construction and automotive industries
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- View, Inc. (Private)
- Saint-Gobain (EPA: SGO.PA)
- Kinestral Technologies (Private)
Competitive Landscape
Research Frontiers competes with companies offering alternative smart glass technologies. Its strength lies in its patented SPD-SmartGlass technology and licensing model. Its disadvantages are dependance on licensees and competitors that are larger entities. Private company market shares are estimates.
Major Acquisitions
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Historical growth has been tied to the adoption of SPD-SmartGlass in various markets, particularly automotive sunroofs. It depends on its licensees revenue.
Future Projections: Future growth is projected to be driven by increasing demand for smart glass in architectural, automotive, and aerospace applications. Analyst estimates are unavailable due to the nature of its royalty-based revenue model, so these are estimates.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include securing new licensing agreements and promoting SPD-SmartGlass technology at industry events. Focus is on expanding into new markets.
Summary
Research Frontiers is a licensing company with a strong patent portfolio in SPD-SmartGlass technology. Its licensing model offers a recurring revenue stream, but the company is dependent on the success of its licensees. Opportunities exist in expanding applications of smart glass, while threats include competition from alternative technologies and patent infringement risks. The company's future growth depends on its ability to secure new licensing agreements and penetrate new markets.
Similar Companies
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- SEC filings
- Company website
- Market research reports
- Company Press Releases
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market share data is approximate and may vary depending on the source. Financial data is simulated and should be independently verified using REFR's SEC filings. The AI-Based Fundamental Rating is based on the given information and should not be considered a definitive assessment.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Research Frontiers Incorporated
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Woodbury, NY, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1993-12-20 | CEO, President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary & Director Mr. Joseph M. Harary J.D. | ||
Sector Technology | Industry Electronic Components | Full time employees 6 | Website https://www.smartglass.com |
Full time employees 6 | Website https://www.smartglass.com | ||
Research Frontiers Incorporated, together with other subsidiary, engages in the development and marketing of technology and devices to control the flow of light worldwide. It develops and licenses suspended particle device (SPD-Smart) light-control technology to companies that manufacture and market the SPD-Smart chemical emulsion, light-control film made from the chemical emulsion, the light-control panels made by laminating the film, and electronics to power end-products incorporating the film, as well as lamination services for and the end-products, such as windows, skylights, and sunroofs. The company's SPD-Smart light-control technology is used in various product applications, including windows, sunshades, skylights, and interior partitions for homes and buildings; automotive windows, sunroofs, sun-visors, sunshades, rear-view mirrors, instrument panels, and navigation systems; aircraft windows; museum display panels, and eyewear products; and flat panel displays for electronic products. It serves architectural, automotive, marine, and aerospace and appliance applications. The company was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Woodbury, New York.
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