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Why KAI Stock surged +6.92% Today — RQD Quant Desk Flash

$283.63 +6.92% NYSE • Live Quote vs Prior Daily Close (Synced Snapshot) EXT / AFTER-HRS: $286.62

Kadant Inc (KAI) carries a Roarable Rating of D (Sell) with 51/100 RQD Confidence due to weak cash-flow efficiency and sensitivity to current interest rates. Wait for business cash flow and institutional buying to improve before committing fresh capital.

ROARABLE D • SELL / AVOID Cap $3.13B
📤 Share Live RQD Speedometer Card: 𝕏 Post Reddit StockTwits ⬇ Live SVG Card
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🤖 Mara Quenwick • AI Quant Lead (Click for Instant Brief) Is KAI stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell right now according to Roarable's RQD model?
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As of 2026-11-03, Kadant Inc (NYSE: KAI) is rated D (Sell / SELL) by Roarable's 5-pillar RQD engine with a composite confidence score of 51/100 at a spot price of $283.63 (+6.92% 1D, market cap $3.13B). Pillar breakdown: Fundamental Cash Engine 16/20, Institutional 13F & Options Flow 6/20, SEC Balance-Sheet Forensics 10/20, FRED Macro Regime Fit 5/20, and Executive Insider Alignment 14/20. Across 486 tracked Industrials issuers, KAI ranks #209 in composite RQD confidence.

✓ Pre-computed one-to-many AI Quant brief
🤖 Ellis Vennor • AI Peer & Flow Quant (Click for Instant Brief) How does KAI compare to SXI and HAYW in the Industrials sector?
▼

Within the Industrials sector (Industrial Machinery/Components), KAI carries a Roarable D (51/100 RQD), trailing P/E of 31.4x, gross margin of 45.2%, and ROIC of 14.4%. By comparison, SXI (Standex International Corporation) holds a D grade (50/100 RQD, P/E 52.8x, ROIC 6.8%, cap $2.99B) and HAYW (Hayward Holdings Inc.) posts a C+ grade (68/100 RQD, P/E 21.4x, ROIC 9.6%, cap $3.36B). Among the 5-stock peer group, HAYW leads on earnings multiple (21.4x) while KAI leads on capital efficiency (14.4% ROIC).

✓ Pre-computed one-to-many AI Quant brief
🤖 Gideon Ashmere • AI SEC 10-K Forensics (Click for Instant Brief) What are the biggest fundamental strengths and SEC risk factors for KAI?
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Per KAI's SEC EDGAR XBRL 10-K filing (FY2025, filed 2026-01-03, CIK 0000886346), Kadant Inc generated $1.05B in revenue (-0.1% YoY), $102.0M in net income, and $154.3M in free cash flow against $1.71B in total assets and $0 in total debt. Key quantitative strengths: Strong cash generator (45.2% gross margin)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks. Primary risk factors monitored: Sensitive to high interest rates and tighter Federal Reserve market liquidity. Institutional options positioning shows a 50% call / 50% put premium split.

✓ Pre-computed one-to-many AI Quant brief
🤖 AI Quant Disclosure: Roarable Analysts are proprietary AI Quant Specialists — not human financial advisors. Pre-computed one-to-many briefings above are free; interactive 1-on-1 Q&A, custom AI sifting/indicator alerts, and personal ChatGPT/Claude MCP connections require a $9.95/mo Pro account (currently waitlist-only).
INTERACTIVE SCENARIO DECK:
🛡️ Portfolio Crash X-Ray
EXT / AFTER-HRS: $286.64 (+1.06%)🧬 Cannibal Buyback (-1.80% YoY Shares)⚙️ Cash Engine: 16/20 (B+) • 14.7% FCF Margin
Verify 90D Bucket Audit →
📊 Historical Track Record: Scores of 51/100 (D) historically posted market-perform odds over rolling 90-day windows (-1.3% avg 90D alpha vs SPY • 49.7% hit rate — wait for RQD ≥ 70 breakout).
Audit Bucket Track Record →
RQD QUANT TACHOMETERSELL / AVOID • D
025507510051
2-of-3 Quant Analysts Bearish Warning
Cash
SEC
Whale

Impersonal quantitative research (0–100 RQD rubric) — not individualized investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Full Disclaimer

5-PILLAR RQD RADARRw C- · Rk D-
Cash (16)Whales (6)SEC (10)Macro (5)CEO (14)
Each axis scored 0–20
12M PRICE TARGET CONE-3.1% Base Target
$372 Bull$275 Base$214 Bear
📬 FREE KAI RATING-CHANGE & BRIEFING ALERTSManage / Unsubscribe
WHALE OPTIONS SNAPSHOT: — (No Active Options Snapshot on file for KAI)Realized 20D OHLCV Swing Band: ±6%
Deterministic 5-Pillar Attribution (51/100 Composite)
🔍 WHY KAI SCORES 51/100 (D) — TOP 3 DRIVERS2 Bullish Pillars + #1 Risk Drag
▲ #1 Bullish Driver: Cash Engine Quality+16/20 pts (31% of score)

SEC XBRL FY 2025 (10-K): 14.7% FCF Margin ($154.3M FCF) & 45.2% Gross Margin

▲ #2 Bullish Driver: Insider Conviction & Share Dilution+14/20 pts (27% of score)

SEC Form 4 / 13F Thermometer: 70% Net Buy • Cannibal Buyback (-1.80% YoY Shares)

▼ #1 Drag / Risk Factor: Macro Regime Fit5/20 pts (-15 pt drag)

Macro rate sensitivity & RSI-14 (47) create a -15 pt regime headwind

📈 PAST 4 QUARTERS RQD vs SUBSEQUENT RETURNQ1 → Q2 → Q3 → Current
Q1 (-3Q)
43
Grade D$261.54+1.3% Next Q
Q2 (-2Q)
46
Grade D$264.81+1.4% Next Q
Q3 (-1Q)
48
Grade D$268.41+5.7% Next Q
Current
51
Grade D$283.63-1.3% Hist 90D α
Trajectory: D (43) → D (51)Full Audit →
⚔️ ADVERSARIAL OPPOSING CASE & FORENSIC KILL-SWITCH (WHY THE BULL/BEAR THESIS COULD FAIL)CONTRARIAN TURNAROUND & SHORT-SQUEEZE DOSSIER

⚔️ Adversarial Opposing Case: What Could Spark a KAI Turnaround Squeeze

Gideon Ashmere Forensic Desk →

While KAI currently carries a cautious 51/100 (D) rating due to Macro Regime Fit (5/20), shorts face asymmetric squeeze risk if free cash flow inflects or management executes accretive buybacks.

🚀 Contrarian Squeeze Trigger #1

Strong cash generator (45.2% gross margin)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks.

🚀 Contrarian Squeeze Trigger #2

Company leadership has skin in the game with net positive insider conviction.

🚀 Contrarian Squeeze Trigger #3

Forensic Repair Trigger: Halting share dilution (Cannibal Buyback (-1.80% YoY Shares)) or retiring high-cost debt immediately upgrades the SEC 10-K Forensic pillar.

🎲 LIVE PREDICTION MARKET ODDS TIED TO $KAI• $2.4M Crowd Pool • Kalshi / Polymarket Composite
Contract: “KAI Beats Next Quarter EPS Consensus (Jan 2, 2027) & Holds Above 200D SMA”
YES 51%NO 49%Trade / Inspect Odds →
AUTOMATED RQD QUANT DESK MOVER BRIEFINGFull Market News Desk →

Why KAI Stock surged +6.92% Today — RQD Quant Desk Flash

Kadant Inc (KAI) surged +6.92% to $283.63, trading at 35% of its 52-week range ($244.87 – $354.07). Stretched risk/reward at 31x P/E (14% return on capital) under elevated 10-year interest-rate pressure.

  • ▸Technical Tape: Trading at 35% of its 52-week range ($244.87 – $354.07) with RSI-14 at 47 (NEUTRAL RANGE).
  • ▸Volatility Profile: Historical 20-day realized swing band of ±6% around $283.63 (no active unusual options sweep snapshot on file).
  • ▸Fundamental Anchor: Roarable D (Sell) backed by 45.2% gross margin and $154.3M annual free cash flow.
Live KAI Headlines & Catalysts
ON-DEMAND RQD QUANT WORKSHOP • SPONSORED / PARTNER SPOTLIGHTHosted by Perry Belcher & Roarable Forensic Quant Desk

Red-Light Warning Desk: Spotting SEC Cash-Flow & Dilution Risks Before Downgrades (Featuring KAI)

  • ✓Walkthrough of KAI's RQD Radar, SEC cash-conversion gap & downside invalidation levels
  • ✓3 asymmetric Bear/Hedge frameworks when 10-year Treasury yields stay elevated
  • ✓Includes nightly RQD rating-change & forensic signal email alerts on your tracked stocks
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KAI // CANDLESTICK & AUTO-TRENDLINE WORKSTATION6M: -0.94%▼ DESCENDING CHANNEL
2026-11-03O $271.3H $283.6L $265.3C $283.6VOL 148.3K
RES: $338.1SUP: $248.0SMA50: $273.7SMA200: $305.8
$359.7$330.9$302.1$273.3$244.5RES $338.1SUP $248.0$283.62026-05-042026-06-172026-08-042026-09-182026-11-03
PRIMARY-SOURCE FORENSICS, SECOND-ORDER LINKS & AI ANALYST DESK

KAI Dilution Monitor, Expectations Hurdle, Butterfly Connections & Policy Exposure

🦋 KAI Butterfly Map → + Track KAI →
Share Count & Dilution Monitor

Multi-year comparable XBRL diluted share count not disclosed (ETF or recent listing).

Reverse-DCF Expectations Hurdle
24.3%/yr Implied 5Y Growth

vs. -0.1% actual YoY revenue growth (assuming 9.25% cost of equity & 16.5x terminal multiple).

Ellis Vennor Setup Ledger

No active Ellis Vennor swing setup published on KAI today. View full Setup Ledger →

🦋 Documented & Second-Order Butterfly Connections Open Graph →

No direct multi-tier Butterfly edges indexed yet for KAI. Explore sector supply chains on /butterfly.

AI Analyst Theses, Washington Policy & Company Video
🎬 No recent verified company-specific video clip queued for KAI today (we never pad ticker pages with unrelated generic clips). Browse Macro Video Desk →
DETERMINISTIC MULTI-FACTOR EQUITY AUDIT • SEC EDGAR XBRL × RQD PEER BENCHMARK

📊 Quantitative Sector Peer Comparison, SEC Filing Delta & Investment FAQ (KAI)

Industrials Rank #209 of 486 ⚔️ SXI vs KAI Full Matrix →

1. Head-to-Head Industrials Peer Comparison (KAI vs. SXI, HAYW, EFXT, DXPE)

Industry: Industrial Machinery/Components (208 Tracked Issuers)

Across 486 tracked Industrials securities in the Roarable RQD universe, Kadant Inc (KAI) ranks #209 by composite RQD confidence (51/100, grade D) and #180 by equity capitalization ($3.13B). Within this direct 5-issuer industry benchmark cohort, HAYW leads on earnings valuation at 21.4x trailing P/E, while KAI leads on capital efficiency and profitability with 14.4% ROIC and 45.2% gross margin. HAYW currently holds the highest overall quantitative score in the immediate peer group at 68/100 (C+) compared with KAI at 51/100 (D).

Ticker / Company Roarable Grade RQD Score Trailing P/E Gross Margin ROIC 1D Change Market Cap Head-to-Head
KAI ACTIVE
Kadant Inc
D 51/100 31.4x 45.2% 14.4% +6.92% $3.13B Benchmark Subject
SXI
Standex International Corporation
D 50/100 52.8x 39.9% 6.8% +4.14% $2.99B /sxi-vs-kai →
HAYW
Hayward Holdings Inc.
C+ 68/100 21.4x 48.0% 9.6% +4.28% $3.36B /hayw-vs-kai →
EFXT
Enerflex Ltd
D+ 57/100 — — — -5.92% $2.89B /efxt-vs-kai →
DXPE
DXP Enterprises Inc.
C- 60/100 30.8x 31.5% 13.8% -0.10% $2.71B /dxpe-vs-kai →

2. Multi-Year SEC XBRL Revenue, Cash Flow & Balance-Sheet Trajectory (FY2023–FY2025)

SEC EDGAR 10-K • FILED 2026-01-03 • CIK 0000886346 ↗

In its most recent audited fiscal period (FY2025, filed 2026-01-03), Kadant Inc (KAI) reported GAAP revenue of $1.05B (-0.1% vs. FY2024 revenue of $1.05B , and +9.9% cumulative change since FY2023) , GAAP net income of $102.0M, operating cash flow of $171.3M, and free cash flow of $154.3M (+14.9% YoY). On the balance sheet, KAI closed FY2025 with $1.71B in total assets against $0 in total debt (Altman Z-Score: N/A, Piotroski F-Score: 6/9).

Fiscal Period Filing Date Revenue Net Income Operating Cash Flow Free Cash Flow Total Assets Total Debt
FY2025 (FY) 2026-01-03 $1.05B $102.0M $171.3M $154.3M $1.71B —
FY2024 (FY) 2025-12-28 $1.05B $111.6M $155.3M $134.3M $1.43B —
FY2023 (FY) 2024-12-30 $957.7M $116.1M $165.5M $165.5M — —

3. KAI Data-Verified Investor FAQ (RQD Rating, Sector Peers, SEC Forensics & Technicals)

✓ SCHEMA.ORG FAQPAGE JSON-LD ENABLED

Is KAI stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell right now according to Roarable's RQD model?

As of 2026-11-03, Kadant Inc (NYSE: KAI) is rated D (Sell / SELL) by Roarable's 5-pillar RQD engine with a composite confidence score of 51/100 at a spot price of $283.63 (+6.92% 1D, market cap $3.13B). Pillar breakdown: Fundamental Cash Engine 16/20, Institutional 13F & Options Flow 6/20, SEC Balance-Sheet Forensics 10/20, FRED Macro Regime Fit 5/20, and Executive Insider Alignment 14/20. Across 486 tracked Industrials issuers, KAI ranks #209 in composite RQD confidence.

How does KAI compare to SXI and HAYW in the Industrials sector?

Within the Industrials sector (Industrial Machinery/Components), KAI carries a Roarable D (51/100 RQD), trailing P/E of 31.4x, gross margin of 45.2%, and ROIC of 14.4%. By comparison, SXI (Standex International Corporation) holds a D grade (50/100 RQD, P/E 52.8x, ROIC 6.8%, cap $2.99B) and HAYW (Hayward Holdings Inc.) posts a C+ grade (68/100 RQD, P/E 21.4x, ROIC 9.6%, cap $3.36B). Among the 5-stock peer group, HAYW leads on earnings multiple (21.4x) while KAI leads on capital efficiency (14.4% ROIC).

What are the biggest fundamental strengths and SEC risk factors for KAI?

Per KAI's SEC EDGAR XBRL 10-K filing (FY2025, filed 2026-01-03, CIK 0000886346), Kadant Inc generated $1.05B in revenue (-0.1% YoY), $102.0M in net income, and $154.3M in free cash flow against $1.71B in total assets and $0 in total debt. Key quantitative strengths: Strong cash generator (45.2% gross margin)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks. Primary risk factors monitored: Sensitive to high interest rates and tighter Federal Reserve market liquidity. Institutional options positioning shows a 50% call / 50% put premium split.

Where is KAI trading relative to its 50-day, 200-day, and 52-week technical levels?

KAI last traded at $283.63 (+6.92% on volume of 211,949 shares), positioning the stock +3.63% above its 50-day simple moving average ($273.69) and -7.23% below its 200-day simple moving average ($305.75). Across its 52-week range of $244.87 to $354.07, KAI sits at the 35.5% percentile with a 14-day RSI of 47.0 (NEUTRAL RANGE) and an implied next-earnings move of ±6.0% ($266.61 to $300.65).

Direct Sub-Reports: KAI RQD Cockpit KAI 12M Forecast KAI Earnings & Move KAI Dividends & DRIP KAI Insiders & 13F KAI Whale Options KAI Profit Sankey KAI News & Why
ROARABLE RATING BRIEF • RQD 51/100 (D) ✓ SEC XBRL & RQD VERIFIED

KAI — Kadant Inc: What the Facts Mean to a Prospective Investor

Methodology: RQD v6.2 Deterministic 5-Pillar & SEC XBRL Audit
Updated: 2026-01-03

1. Roarable Rating Brief: What This Means to a Prospective Investor

Kadant Inc (KAI) earns a live Roarable RQD composite score of 51/100, corresponding to a D letter grade (Roarable Sell) at a spot price of $283.63 (+6.92% 1D, market capitalization $3.13B).

  • Fundamental Cash Engine (16/20): Anchored by return on invested capital (ROIC) of 14.4%, gross margin of 45.2%, operating margin of 14.9%, and free cash flow yield of 4.81%.
  • Whale 13F & Options Flow (6/20) + Insider Conviction (14/20): Tracks institutional 13F accumulation, CBOE options call/put positioning, and SEC Form 4 / Congressional PTR filings.
  • Macro Regime Fit (5/20) + Forensic Balance Sheet (10/20): Incorporates a 1.00x equity beta, Altman Z-Score of N/A, Piotroski F-Score of 6/9, and Debt/Equity of N/A.

2. Business Model, Unit Margins & SEC Financial Trajectory

Kadant Inc (KAI) is a NYSE-listed issuer in the Industrials sector, operating in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry..2B.

In its latest audited SEC EDGAR 10-K filing for FY2025 (filed 2026-01-03), Kadant Inc (KAI) reported $1.05B in annual revenue (up from $1.05B in FY2024, -0.1% YoY) and $102.0M in GAAP net income. Over the multi-year SEC filing window from FY2023 ($957.7M revenue, $116.1M net income) through FY2025, KAI scaled operating cash flow to $171.3M and free cash flow to $154.3M, backed by $1.71B in total assets against $0 in total debt.

3. Institutional Bull vs. Bear Thesis & Valuation Tradeoff

  • 🐂 Primary Bull Case (D • RQD 51/100): Strong cash generator (45.2% gross margin)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks. Company leadership has skin in the game with net positive insider conviction. With Fundamental Cash Engine at 16/20 and Institutional Whale Flow at 6/20, sustained execution supports upside toward the upper end of the $244.87 – $354.07 52-week range.
  • 🐻 Primary Bear Case & Valuation Risk: Sensitive to high interest rates and tighter Federal Reserve market liquidity. Investors must weigh 31.4x trailing P/E and 18.0x EV/EBITDA against 14.9% operating margins and a 1.00x macro beta.

4. 2nd-Order Butterfly Ripples & Key Questions to Watch

Operating in Industrial Machinery/Components (Industrials), KAI carries a macro regime beta of 1.00 and gross margin of 45.2%.

  • Key Question #1: Can KAI sustain or expand its 14.9% operating margin and 14.4% ROIC against Industrial Machinery/Components peers over the next 4 quarters?
  • Key Question #2: Following FY2025 revenue of $1.05B and free cash flow of $154.3M, how will capital allocation balance growth reinvestment against $0 in total debt?
  • Key Question #3: How sensitive is KAI's 29.2x forward P/E multiple to Industrials capital spending cycles and macro interest-rate shifts (Beta 1.00x)?

KAI Live News Feed, Press Releases & Catalyst Wire

Real-time company headlines, analyst actions, and sector developments for Kadant Inc (KAI) • Click "Debate This Headline" to argue it in the Roar Pit below

💬 Jump to KAI Debate Forum (3) ↓
🔥 THE ROAR PIT • LIVE COMMUNITY DEBATE 3 Active Posts & Replies

KAI Bull vs. Bear Conversation Board — What's Your Call at $283.63?

🐂 67% BULLISH CONVICTION COMMUNITY TUG-OF-WAR ON KAI 🐻 33% BEARISH CONVICTION
1. Pick Your Side on KAI:
💡 Tip: Back up your call with a price target or RQD metric to get upvoted to the top.
AL AlphaFlow_Cap RQD DEBATE OPENER • Verified $100K Arena Trader 🐂 BULLISH 🎯 Target: $347.52 (+31.0%)
📌 Pinned Debate

Strong cash engine with 14.4% ROIC and 4.81% FCF yield supports the fundamental pillar at 16 of 20.

Don't sleep on KAI's setup in Industrials. Strong cash engine with 14.4% ROIC and 4.81% FCF yield supports the fundamental pillar at 16 of 20.. Beta of 1.0 means it moves fast when momentum turns, and the 5-pillar RQD gauge (51/100) backs up the fundamental quality.

CapAlloc_Nerd 🐂 BULL

@ForensicBear Fair point on 31.4x trailing P/E, but you're ignoring the forward operating leverage in Industrial Machinery/Components. If gross margin (45.2%) holds, EPS grows into the multiple faster than bears think.

FO ForensicBear RQD DEBATE OPENER • 10-K Footnote Auditor 🐻 BEARISH 🎯 Target: $204.27 (-23.0%)
Spot @ $265.28

Rich 31.4 P/E (TTM) and weak macro-fit (5 of 20) and institutional flow (7 of 20) leave the stock with limited support.

I respect the product at Kadant Inc, but the stock at $265.28 is a different story. Rich 31.4 P/E (TTM) and weak macro-fit (5 of 20) and institutional flow (7 of 20) leave the stock with limited support.. FCF yield is 4.81% and RQD sits at 51/100 (D) — why pay up here when you can wait for next quarter's numbers?

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