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Danaos Corporation (DAC) Stock Analysis

Industrials

Danaos Corporation

$129.45

$-1.40 (-1.07%)

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Price History

Analysis

Company Overview

Danaos Corporation functions as a provider of seaborne transportation services, owning and operating containerships and drybulk vessels across Australia, Europe, and the United States. The company operates within the Industrials sector, specifically the Marine Shipping industry, which involves the logistical movement of global trade goods via maritime routes. This entity maintains a market capitalization of $2.02B and reported annual revenue of $1.04B over the trailing twelve months, supported by an organizational structure of 4 employees. The combination of a $2.02B market cap and $1.04B in revenue positions Danaos as a significant player capable of influencing supply chain dynamics, though the specific scale relative to the entire global shipping market is defined by these consolidated financial metrics. The operational footprint in key regions like Australia, Europe, and the U.S. underscores its role in international trade logistics, while the two-segment structure of Container Vessels and Drybulk Vessels highlights a diversified approach to vessel deployment.

Financial Health

Danaos Corporation generated $1.04B in revenue and recorded $494.61M in net income, while EBITDA stood at $660.97M, revealing a robust cost structure where operating expenses account for approximately 30.3% of total revenue before interest and taxes. The company reported $192.73M in free cash flow, indicating substantial financial flexibility to fund capital expenditures, repay obligations, or return capital without relying on external financing. Profitability is reflected in a gross margin of 69.7%, an operating margin of 45.7%, and a profit margin of 47.4%, each demonstrating a highly efficient conversion of sales into earnings at the gross, operational, and bottom-line levels. The balance sheet shows $1.16B in cash holdings against $1.16B in total debt, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.43% that suggests a leveraged yet balanced capital structure where liquid assets fully cover debt obligations. A current ratio of 3.29 indicates strong short-term liquidity, meaning the company holds more than three times the current assets necessary to meet its immediate liabilities. Management effectiveness is evidenced by a return on equity of 13.7% and a return on assets of 6.6%, metrics that confirm the ability to generate value from shareholder equity and the total asset base efficiently.

Valuation Assessment

The stock trades with a trailing twelve-month P/E ratio of 4.14 and a forward P/E of 6.33, implying that the market expects earnings growth sufficient to bridge the gap between current profitability and future projections. The price-to-book ratio stands at 0.53, indicating that the market values the company at approximately half of its book value, which often suggests the stock is trading at a discount relative to its tangible asset base. Alternative valuation metrics include a price-to-sales ratio of 1.93 and an EV/EBITDA of 3.05, figures that collectively suggest the company is valued conservatively compared to high-growth peers but reflect its capital-intensive nature. Over the past year, the stock price fluctuated between a 52-week low of $65.40 and a 52-week high of $118.83, providing a historical range within which current trading levels can be contextualized. The beta value of 0.94 indicates that the stock's price volatility is slightly less than the broader market, suggesting it may serve as a defensive holding within a diversified portfolio.

Growth & Income

Revenue growth for the trailing twelve months was 3.1%, while earnings growth reached 36.5%, demonstrating that profitability is expanding at a significantly faster pace than top-line sales, likely driven by operational leverage or improved vessel utilization rates. As a dividend payer, the company offers a dividend yield of 3.2% with a payout ratio of 12.9%, a low payout figure that suggests high sustainability as earnings could easily cover the dividend without compromising reinvestment needs. The substantial difference between the 36.5% earnings growth and the 3.1% revenue growth implies that Danaos is currently benefiting from margin expansion rather than pure volume increases. Overall, the growth and income profile presents a mix of steady revenue expansion, accelerating earnings performance, and a modest but sustainable dividend yield supported by strong free cash flow generation.

Peer Comparison

Danaos Corporation (DAC) operates in the Marine Shipping industry. Here is how it compares to its closest peers by market capitalization:

Company Ticker Market Cap P/E Ratio
Danaos Corporation DAC $2.36B 4.6
Kirby Corporation KEX $7.72B 22.2
Matson, Inc. MATX $5.58B 13.7
Hafnia Limited HAFN $4.17B 12.5

The Marine Shipping industry average P/E ratio is 16.9x. Danaos Corporation trades at a P/E of 4.6.

This analysis is AI-generated for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Data may be delayed or inaccurate. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

About Danaos Corporation

Danaos Corporation, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates containerships and drybulk vessels in Australia, Europe, and the United States. It operates in two segments, Container Vessels and Drybulk Vessels. The company provides seaborne transportation services by operating vessels in the containership and drybulk sectors of the shipping industry. As of December 31, 2025, it had a fleet of 75 containerships aggregating 477,230 TEUs; 27 container vessels under construction containerships aggregating 173,314 TEUs; 10 Capesize bulk carriers aggregating 1,755,000 DWT; and 2 dry bulk vessels under construction aggregating 422,000 DWT. The company was formerly known as Danaos Holdings Limited and changed its name to Danaos Corporation in October 2005. Danaos Corporation was founded in 1963 and is based in Piraeus, Greece.

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Key Statistics

Market Cap
$2.36B
P/E Ratio
4.57
52-Week High
$135.21
52-Week Low
$82.88
Avg Volume
87.13K
Beta
0.90
Dividend Yield
2.78%

Data provided by Yahoo Finance via yfinance. Updated daily.

Company Info

Exchange
NYSE
Country
Greece
Employees
4