GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC (GVA)

Industrial · Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors · Price $122.52
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Below Average Equity Returns — Industrials
ROE of -15.29% — below the 8% floor Zyberno applies to Industrials businesses.
ROE
-15.29%
Return on Equity
ROIC
15.85%
Return on Invested Capital
ROA
-3.94%
Return on Assets
Debt/Equity
1.94x
Leverage Ratio
Book Value/Share
$18.41
Equity Per Share

🧮 GVA ROE Calculation

ROE = Net Income / Shareholders' Equity
Net Income (TTM) $-164.9M
Shareholders' Equity $805.3M
Total Debt $1.6B
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 1.94x
ROE (Return on Equity) -15.29%

Understanding ROE

Return on Equity (ROE) measures how efficiently a company generates profits from shareholders' equity. For GVA, the current ROE is -15.29%.

Why ROE Matters

Warren Buffett has called ROE one of his favorite metrics because it shows how well management uses shareholders' capital to generate returns. A company that consistently earns 15%+ ROE is typically a well-run business that creates value for shareholders.

High Leverage Warning

GVA's debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94x is elevated. High ROE combined with high debt can be a red flag — the company may be using financial leverage to boost returns, which increases risk. Compare to ROIC for a more complete picture.

ROE Benchmarks

Excellent: >20%

Exceptional returns on equity. Often indicates strong competitive advantages. Common in capital-light businesses.

Good: 15-20%

Above-average ROE. Buffett often looks for companies in this range or higher.

Average: 10-15%

Typical for most companies. Returns are reasonable but not exceptional.

Below Average: <10%

May indicate poor capital allocation or challenging business conditions.

The DuPont Analysis

ROE can be decomposed into three components using DuPont analysis:

ROE = Net Margin × Asset Turnover × Equity Multiplier

This breakdown reveals whether high ROE comes from high profitability (good), efficient asset use (good), or high leverage (potentially risky).

ROE vs ROIC: Which is Better?

ROIC: 15.85% →

ROIC measures returns on ALL capital. It's more comprehensive and less affected by leverage. Often considered the better quality metric.

ROE: -15.29%

ROE only measures returns on equity. Can be inflated by high debt. If ROE >> ROIC, the company uses significant leverage.

Owner Earnings: $303.9M →

Shows actual cash available to owners. Use alongside ROE and ROIC for complete analysis.

Net Income: $-164.9M →

The numerator in ROE. Understanding net income trends helps explain ROE changes over time.

What to Look For

📊 Full GVA Stock Report

Intrinsic value, margin of safety, DCF valuation, and 250+ metrics.

🏆 GVA ROIC

Compare ROE to ROIC — the more comprehensive measure of capital efficiency.

💹 GVA P/E Ratio

Analyze valuation relative to earnings and understand market pricing.

👤 GVA Owner Earnings

Warren Buffett's preferred measure of true economic earnings available to owners.

💰 GVA Net Income

See the earnings that drive ROE calculations.

💵 GVA Free Cash Flow

Actual cash generation after capital expenditures.

View Full GVA Report Find More Quality Stocks
📊 Valuation Trilogy
Three interconnected metrics built on Owner Earnings
💎
Intrinsic Value
DCF Fair Value
$216.16
🛡️
Margin of Safety
Valuation Gap
43.3%
🎯
Expected Return
Projected Annual
34.4%
Click any metric for full methodology and detailed analysis

Summary: GVA Return on Equity

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC (GVA) has a ROE of -15.29% — below the 8% floor Zyberno applies to industrial companies where asset intensity moderates equity returns, indicating weak returns on shareholders' capital. Note: with a debt-to-equity of 1.94x, leverage is amplifying these returns — compare with ROIC (15.85%) for a leverage-neutral view. For complete financial analysis, view the full GVA stock report on Zyberno.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GVA's current ROE?

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC's Return on Equity (ROE) is -15.29%, measured against the 18% excellent threshold Zyberno applies to Industrials businesses. ROE measures the company's profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Is GVA's ROE good?

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC (GVA) has a ROE of -15.29% — below the 8% floor Zyberno applies to industrial companies where asset intensity moderates equity returns, indicating weak returns on shareholders' capital. Note: with a debt-to-equity of 1.94x, leverage is amplifying these returns — compare with ROIC (15.85%) for a leverage-neutral view.

What is the difference between ROE and ROIC?

ROE measures returns on shareholder equity only, while ROIC measures returns on all invested capital (debt + equity). GVA's ROE is -15.29% vs ROIC of 15.85%. ROE can be inflated by high debt, making ROIC often a more reliable quality metric.

Can high ROE be misleading?

Yes, high ROE can be misleading if achieved through high debt. GVA's debt-to-equity ratio is 1.94x. Compare ROE to ROIC — if ROE is much higher than ROIC, the company uses significant leverage which adds risk.

📊 Full GVA Stock Report

See GVA's intrinsic value, margin of safety, DCF valuation, and complete financial analysis with 250+ metrics.

🏆 GVA ROIC

Compare to Return on Invested Capital — the most comprehensive measure of capital efficiency.

💹 GVA P/E Ratio

Analyze the price-to-earnings ratio and earnings yield as a valuation metric.

🎯 GVA Earnings Surprise (SUE)

See whether GVA is beating or missing its own earnings trend — Standardized Unexpected Earnings and post-earnings drift.

👤 GVA Owner Earnings

Warren Buffett's preferred measure of true economic earnings available to owners.

💰 GVA Net Income

See the bottom-line profit that drives return calculations.

📊 GVA EPS

Earnings per share — net income on a per-share basis.

View Full GVA Report Find More Quality Stocks
Scroll to Top