We evaluated 16 different companies this week to determine whether they are suitable for Defensive Investors, those unwilling to do substantial research, or Enterprising Investors, those who are willing to do such research. We also put each company through the ModernGraham valuation model based on Benjamin Graham's value investing formulas in order to determine an intrinsic value for each. Out of those 16 companies, only 10 were found to be undervalued or fairly valued and suitable for either Defensive or Enterprising Investors.

The elite

The following companies were found to be suitable for either the Defensive Investor or Enterprising Investor and undervalued:

Allstate Corporation

Allstate Corporation (ALL, Financial) qualifies 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 10 years. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.38 in 2011 to an estimated $4.89 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 2.14% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

American Express Company

American Express Company (AXP, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the high PB ratio. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.11 in 2011 to an estimated $4.57 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 3.89% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

Starwood Property Trust Inc.

Starwood Property Trust Inc. (STWD, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor has concerns regarding the company's short history as a publicly traded entity while the Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with the next stage of the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from 75 cents in 2011 to an estimated $1.97 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.91% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

Western Refining Inc.

Western Refining Inc. (WNR, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability over the last 10 years as well as the inconsistent dividend record. 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 based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from a loss of 13 cents in 2011 to an estimated gain of $3.98 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.98% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, inconsistent dividend record and the high PEmg and PB ratios. The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned by the low current ratio. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from 70 cents in 2011 to an estimated $1.49 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 5.88% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

The good

The following companies were found to be suitable for the Defensive Investor or Enterprising Investor and Fairly Valued:

Estee Lauder Company

The Estee Lauder Company (EL, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the high PEmg and PB ratios. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.58 in 2012 to an estimated $2.89 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market's implied estimate of 10.15% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value within a margin of safety relative to the price. (See the full valuation)

Nordstrom Inc.

Nordstrom Inc. (JWN, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio and the high PB ratio. The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned by the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.62 in 2012 to an estimated $3.69 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market's implied estimate of 4.51% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value within a margin of safety relative to the price. (See the full valuation)

Raytheon Company

Raytheon Company (RTN, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio and the high PB ratio. The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned by the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $4.95 in 2011 to an estimated $6.45 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market's implied estimate of 4.92% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value within a margin of safety relative to the price. (See the full valuation)

Skyworks Solutions Inc.

Skyworks Solutions Inc. (SWKS, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the short dividend record, the insufficient earnings stability over the last 10 years and the high PEmg and PB ratios. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from 82 cents in 2011 to an estimated $2.62 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market's implied estimate of 10.53% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value within a margin of safety relative to the price. (See the full valuation)

Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply Company (TSCO, Financial) qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the short dividend history and the high PEmg and PB ratios. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.08 in 2011 to an estimated $2.33 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market's implied estimate of 15.06% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham's formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value within a margin of safety relative to the price. (See the full valuation)

Disclaimer:

The author did not hold a position in any company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours. See my current holdings here. This article is not investment advice; any reader should speak to a registered investment adviser prior to making any investment decisions. ModernGraham is not affiliated with the company in any manner. Please be sure to review our detailed disclaimer.

This article first appeared on ModernGraham.