There are a number of great companies in the market today. By using the ModernGraham Valuation Model, I've selected 10 low-PE stocks for the Enterprising Investor. These companies have the lowest PEmg (price-normalized earnings) ratio out of all companies reviewed by ModernGraham. Each company has been determined to be suitable for the Enterprising Investor and undervalued according to the ModernGraham approach.
Defensive Investors are defined as investors who are not able or willing to do substantial research into individual investments and therefore need to select only the companies that present the least amount of risk. Enterprising Investors, on the other hand, are able to do substantial research and can select companies that present a moderate (though still low) amount of risk.
Spok Holdings Inc. (SPOK, Financial)
Spok Holdings Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the small size, insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, and the poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.Â
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.08 in 2012 to an estimated $2.83 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.96% annual earnings loss over the next seven to 10 years.Â
At the time of valuation, further research into Spok Holdings Inc. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $38.13. The company pays a dividend of five cents per share, for a yield of 2.7%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 6.58, which was below the industry average of 68.5, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $4.56.Â
Navient Corp. (NAVI, Financial)
Navient Corp. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability over the last ten years, and the poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.Â
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from 63 cents in 2012 to an estimated $2.39 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.25% annual earnings loss over the next seven to 10 years.Â
At the time of valuation, further research into Navient Corp. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $21.98. The company pays a dividend of 64 cents per share, for a yield of 4.5%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 6.01, which was below the industry average of 19.87, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry.
Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD, Financial)
Gilead Sciences Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, poor dividend history, and the high PB ratio. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.61 in 2012 to an estimated $8.69 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.72% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.Â
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. (KORS, Financial)
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability over the last ten years, the poor dividend history, and the high PB ratio. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the lack of dividends. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from 96 cents in 2013 to an estimated $4.07 for 2017. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.92% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.Â
Signet Jewelers Ltd. (SIG, Financial)
Signet Jewelers Ltd. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, and the poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.84 in 2013 to an estimated $5.77 for 2017. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 3.39% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on the Benjamin Graham value investing formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Signet Jewelers Ltd. revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $71.41. The company pays a dividend of $1 per share, for a yield of 1.1% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 15.29, which was below the industry average of 26.36, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $4.06. (See the full valuation)
LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB, Financial)
LyondellBasell Industries NV is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, the poor dividend history, and the high PB ratio. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $-944.17 in 2012 to an estimated $8.48 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.4% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.Â
Linamar Corp. (TSE:LNR)
Linamar Corp. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, insufficient earnings stability over the last ten years. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.22 in 2013 to an estimated $6.93 for 2017. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.1% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on the Benjamin Graham value investing formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Linamar Corporation revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $83.15. The company pays a dividend of 4o cents per share, for a yield of 0.7% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 8.7, which was below the industry average of 18.47, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $-7.49.Â
Lucara Diamond Corp. (TSE:LUC)
Lucara Diamond Corp. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the small size, insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, and the poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from 3 cents in 2013 to an estimated 26 cents for 2017. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.36% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on the Benjamin Graham value investing formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Lucara Diamond Corp revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $2.24. The company pays a dividend of 6 cents per share, for a yield of 2.1%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 11.22, which was below the industry average of 146.28, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $-0.04.
Seneca Foods Corp. (SENEA, Financial)
Seneca Foods Corp. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the small size, poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the lack of dividends. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.73 in 2012 to an estimated $2.72 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 3.19% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on the Benjamin Graham value investing formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Seneca Foods Corp revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $69.2. The company does not pay a dividend. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 14.87, which was below the industry average of 24.74, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $16.89.Â
Seagate Technology PLC (STX, Financial)
Seagate Technology PLC is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, and the poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.39 in 2012 to an estimated $3.74 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.03% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.Â
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Disclaimer:
The author held a long position in Starwood Property Trust Inc. (STWD) but did not hold a position in any other company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing those holdings within the next 72 hours. This article is not investment advice and all readers are encouraged to speak to a registered investment adviser prior to making any investment decisions. ModernGraham is not related to the companies mentioned in any capacity. Please take a moment to read our detailed disclaimer.Â
