There are a number of great companies in the market today. By using the ModernGraham Valuation Model, I've selected the five undervalued companies reviewed by ModernGraham trading closest to their 52-week low. Each of these companies has been determined to be suitable for the Enterprising Investor 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.
Defensive Investors may also be interested in reviewing 5 Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor Near 52 Week Lows - November 2015, while also conducting further research into the following companies.
Be sure to also check out the history of this screen!
Discover Financial Services (DFS, Financial)
Discover Financial Services Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the short dividend record. 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 $2.49 in 2011 to an estimated $4.89 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.53% 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 above the price. (See the full valuation)
American Express Company (AXP, Financial)
American Express 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)
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY, Financial)
Bed Bath & Beyond qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio and lack of dividends. The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned by the lack of dividends. 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 $2.99 in 2012 to an estimated $4.88 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.29% 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)
KeyCorp (KEY, Financial)
KeyCorp 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. 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 a loss of 35 cents in 2011 to an estimated gain of 98 cents for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 2.43% 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 Inc. (WFM, Financial)
Whole Foods Market 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)
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.
