$112.17+1.38 (+1.25%)
At close: Oct 1, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Federal Signal Corp. · Tenets
How FSS measures up against value, income, timing, and long-hold tenets. Every criterion shows the live number and the pass rule. Always free.
The tenets below and the 0-100 Tenet Score on this report are two separate computations: each tenet runs its own criteria and its own pass rule, while the score is a percentile composite reported as one of four verdict words (Strong, Solid, Mixed or Weak).
2 / 17 qualify todayas of 2026-10-02 · computed nightly from our fundamentals DB; point-in-time auditable.
QUALIFIES
2
meet every gate today
BORDERLINE
11
within one input of the gate
FAILS
4
miss at least one gate
UNKNOWN
0
insufficient data to judge
passesfailsborderlineunknown
Value — six classic philosophies
Buffett Qualitydurable moat
~ BorderlinePassesROE ≥ 15%(TTM through Jun 30, 2026)20.6% · ≥ 15.0%
FailsGross margin ≥ 40%(fiscal 2025: held in its sector pending the TTM check)28.9% · ≥ 40.0%
FailsNet margin ≥ 15%(TTM through Jun 30, 2026)11.7% · ≥ 15.0%
PassesDebt/equity ≤ 0.5(quarter ending Jun 30, 2026)0.30 · ≤ 0.50
PassesGrowing FCF (multi-yr)(fiscal 2020 to 2025)16.4% per year · > 0
Decided by the pass rule for Buffett Quality.The pass rule for Buffett Quality is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Buffett Quality under The screens ›
Piotroski F-Scorefinancial strength
~ 6 / 9PassesReturn on assets positive(fiscal 2025)10.3% · > 0
PassesOperating cash flow positive(fiscal 2025)$254.7M · > 0
FailsReturn on assets improving(fiscal 2025)12.3% → 10.3%
PassesEarnings backed by cash (CFO > net income)(fiscal 2025)$254.7M vs $246.6M
FailsLeverage falling (long-term debt / assets)(fiscal 2025)11.6% → 23.6%
PassesCurrent ratio improving(fiscal 2025)2.66 → 3.02
PassesNo share dilution (≤ +2%)(fiscal 2025)−0.3%
PassesGross margin expanding(fiscal 2025)28.6% → 28.9%
FailsAsset turnover improving(fiscal 2025)1.05 → 0.91
Decided by the pass rule for Piotroski F-Score.The pass rule for Piotroski F-Score is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here. These checks score 6 of 9.Piotroski F-Score under The screens ›
Munger Compoundershigh-ROIC quality
✓ QualifiesPassesROIC ≥ 15%(TTM through Jun 30, 2026)15.4% · ≥ 15.0%
PassesNet debt/EBITDA ≤ 3×(fiscal 2025: held in its sector pending the TTM check)1.2× · ≤ 3.0×
PassesAltman Z ≥ 3 (safe zone)(TTM through Jun 30, 2026)7.05 · ≥ 3.00
Decided by the pass rule for Munger Compounders.The pass rule for Munger Compounders is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Munger Compounders under The screens ›
Magic FormulaROC + earnings yield (threshold check; full rank needs universe)
~ BorderlinePassesEBIT > 0(fiscal 2025: held in its sector pending the TTM check)$340.9M · > 0
FailsEarnings yield EBIT/EV ≥ 6%(fiscal 2025: held in its sector pending the TTM check)4.6% · ≥ 6.0%
PassesReturn on capital ≥ 25%(fiscal 2025: held in its sector pending the TTM check)40.3% · ≥ 25.0%
Decided by the pass rule for Magic Formula.The pass rule for Magic Formula is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.About this screen ›
Graham Defensivemargin of safety
~ BorderlinePassesSize: market cap ≥ $2B$6.8B · ≥ $2.0B
PassesCurrent ratio ≥ 2(quarter ending Jun 30, 2026)2.74 · ≥ 2.00
PassesPositive EPS 10y10y
PassesPays a dividend$0.56 · > 0
PassesEPS growth ≥ 3%/yr(fiscal 2020 to 2025)20.8% per year · ≥ 3.0%
FailsP/E ≤ 15(TTM through Jun 30, 2026)24.16 · ≤ 15.00
FailsP/E × P/B ≤ 22.5(TTM through Jun 30, 2026)109.73 · ≤ 22.50
Decided by the pass rule for Graham Defensive.The pass rule for Graham Defensive is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Graham Defensive under The screens ›
Lynch GARPgrowth at reasonable price (historical-CAGR basis)
✕ FailsFailsPEG < 1 (hist. growth)(through fiscal 2025)1.16 · < 1.00
PassesEPS growth 10–30%(fiscal 2020 to 2025)20.8% per year · 10.0%–30.0%
Decided by the pass rule for Lynch GARP.The pass rule for Lynch GARP is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Lynch GARP under The screens ›
Income — dividend safety
Income & Dividend Safetycoverage over headline yield
~ BorderlinePassesPays a dividend$0.56 · > 0
FailsYield in a healthy band (not a yield trap)0.5% · 1.0%–8.0%
PassesCovered by free cash flow6.66 · ≥ 1.20
PassesEarnings payout not stretched13.8% · ≤ 75.0%
PassesBalance sheet can sustain the payout1.2× · ≤ 4.0×
FailsAnnual dividend raised 10+ years running (Aristocrat ≥25, King ≥50)3.00 · ≥ 10.00
PassesNo dividend cut in the last 5 yearsLast cut 2005
Passes5-year dividend growth ≥ 5%/yr11.8% · ≥ 5.0%
Decided by the pass rule for Income & Dividend Safety.The pass rule for Income & Dividend Safety is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Dividend Growthraises you can count on
~ BorderlinePassesPays a dividend$0.56 · > 0
FailsAnnual dividend raised 10+ years running (Aristocrat ≥25, King ≥50)3.00 · ≥ 10.00
PassesNo dividend cut in the last 5 yearsLast cut 2005
Passes5-year dividend growth ≥ 5%/yr11.8% · ≥ 5.0%
PassesCovered by free cash flow6.66 · ≥ 1.20
PassesPayout not stretched13.8% · ≤ 75.0%
Decided by the pass rule for Dividend Growth.The pass rule for Dividend Growth is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Dividend Growth under The screens ›
Long Hold — quality compounders
Quality Compounderhigh returns, reinvested, few new shares
~ BorderlineFailsReturn on invested capital ≥ 15% in 4+ of the last 5 years1 of 4 on file
PassesRevenue compounding ≥ 8%/yr over 5 years14.0% per year · ≥ 8.0%
PassesNot diluting: diluted share count flat-to-down (≤ +1%/yr)0.0% · ≤ 1.0%
FailsFree cash flow margin ≥ 12%10.4% · ≥ 12.0%
PassesEarnings backed by cash (operating cash flow ≥ net income)1.31 · ≥ 1.00
Reading: holds. Not a gate checkDisciplined buybacks: actively reducing the share count (bonus)reading, not a gate check0.0%
Decided by the pass rule for Quality Compounder.The pass rule for Quality Compounder is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here. Lines marked as readings are published beside the checks and are not gate checks.Quality Compounder under The screens ›
Timing — dip & swing receipts
Drawdown Contexta dip, not a collapse
~ BorderlinePassesOff its 52-week high by 8–35% (a dip, not a collapse)16.6% · 8.0%–35.0%
FailsDip within its own normal pullback band0.17
PassesNot past where its dips have historically recovered from0.98
FailsA dip in an uptrend (above a rising 200-day)115.59
PassesHigher-low structure still intactstructure intact · higher low
PassesClear of the earnings blackout (more than 5 days out)32.00 · > 5.00
Decided by the pass rule for Drawdown Context.The pass rule for Drawdown Context is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Reversal Evidencedaily close onlysigns the pullback is turning
~ BorderlinePassesA bullish MACD cross within 10 sessions4.00 · ≤ 10.00
FailsReclaimed a rising 50-day EMA117.09
PassesPrinted a higher lowyes
FailsA volume thrust on the turn (≥ 1.2× normal)1.17 · ≥ 1.20
FailsReversal signals fired: 3 of 4 (MACD·MA·HL·Vol)2.00 · ≥ 3.00
Decided by the pass rule for Reversal Evidence.The pass rule for Reversal Evidence is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Not-a-Value-Trap Gatecheap for a good reason, not a broken one
~ BorderlineFailsIn the cheap half of its own 5-year valuation range(through fiscal 2025)0.9×
PassesEarnings estimates not being cut0.05
PassesReturns on capital not deteriorating0.13
Decided by the pass rule for Not-a-Value-Trap Gate.The pass rule for Not-a-Value-Trap Gate is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Quality Floorpasses the quality/value gate on this dip
✓ QualifiesPassesOperating profit is positive(fiscal 2025: held in its sector pending the TTM check)$340.9M · > 0
PassesReturn on invested capital ≥ 10%(TTM through Jun 30, 2026)15.4% · ≥ 10.0%
PassesA solvent balance sheet (Altman Z ≥ 1.8, net debt/EBITDA ≤ 4)(TTM through Jun 30, 2026)7.0×
PassesQuality score ≥ 5061.50 · ≥ 50.00
PassesRevenue growing over 5 years(fiscal 2020 to 2025)14.0% per year · > 0
Decided by the pass rule for Quality Floor.The pass rule for Quality Floor is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Qualified Dipa pullback with receipts, not a falling knife
~ BorderlineA research signal from published criteria, not a recommendation.
FailsDrawdown context16.6% off its 52-week high
FailsReversal evidence2 of 4 signals fired
FailsTrap gate2 of 3 held
PassesQuality floor5 of 5 held
Invalidation level (structure break): below this the dip's structure has broken$111.86
Decided by the pass rule for Qualified Dip.The pass rule for Qualified Dip is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Qualified Dip under The screens ›
Trend Alignmentprice in a confirmed uptrend
✕ FailsFailsTrading above its 50-day average119.34
FailsTrading above its 200-day average115.59
Passes50-day average above the 200-day (uptrend stack)119.34
Fails50-day average sloping up−0.02 · > 0
Decided by the pass rule for Trend Alignment.The pass rule for Trend Alignment is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Relative Strengthoutperforming, ranked vs the universe
✕ FailsFails3-month return in the top half of the universe0.29 · ≥ 0.50
Fails12-minus-1 momentum in the top half of the universe0.33 · ≥ 0.50
FailsRelative strength vs the S&P 500 improving−0.00 · > 0
PassesEarnings estimates being revised up0.05
Decided by the pass rule for Relative Strength.The pass rule for Relative Strength is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Momentum Triggera trigger you can see
✕ FailsPassesMACD above its signal line−1.74
FailsBack above the 50-day on a fresh cross (≤10 sessions)4.00
FailsHigher high and higher low (stair-stepping up)no higher high · higher low
FailsA volume thrust on the move (≥ 1.2× normal)1.17 · ≥ 1.20
Decided by the pass rule for Momentum Trigger.The pass rule for Momentum Trigger is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Volatility Regimecontext, not a signal
Context, not scoredAverage daily swing: elevated0.03
Volatility band width: squeezed (compressed range)0.09
Distance from its 52-week high: mid-range0.17
✓
Every verdict is auditableEach criterion shows the live number and the pass rule side by side — a receipt, not a rating. Several of these screens publish their rule in full under The screens; each row links to its own section where there is one.
!
Unknown ≠ failAn “— Unknown” verdict means the inputs were insufficient: context, not a signal, and never counted as a fail.
Computed from our fundamentals DB; historical-CAGR PEG basis for Lynch. Research, not investment advice. Tenet's rulesets are independently developed from publicly available sources, and Tenet is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by or otherwise associated with any referenced investor or trademark owner. Full notice. MAGIC FORMULA is a trademark of MagicFormulaInvesting.com LLC.