Out of the multitude of companies, which ones would legendary value investor Benjamin Graham buy today? I have compiled ten great companies that fit the ModernGraham criteria, based on Benjamin Graham's methods. The companies in this list pass the rigorous requirements of either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor and are undervalued by the market.
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK, Financial)
Bank of New York Mellon 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. 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 $1.46 in 2012 to an estimated $2.47 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 3.97% 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.
At the time of valuation, further research into Bank of New York Mellon Corp. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $46.78. The company pays a dividend of 68 cents per share, for a yield of 1.7%. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 16.44, which was above the industry average of 13.43. (See the full valuation and company profile)
Baxter International Inc. (BAX, Financial)
Baxter International Inc. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned with the low current ratio. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value 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 $3.6 in 2012 to an estimated $5.21 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.38% 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 Baxter International Inc. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $56.99. The company pays a dividend of 48 cents per share, for a yield of 1%. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 9.25, which was below the industry average of 40.07, 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 $-1.18. (See the full valuation and company profile)
Discover Financial Services (DFS, Financial)
Discover Financial Services qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. In fact, the company meets all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company's strong financial position. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value 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 $3.26 in 2012 to an estimated $5.16 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.37% 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.
At the time of valuation, further research into Discover Financial Services revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $57.8. The company pays a dividend of $1.12 per share, for a yield of 1.9%. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 11.23, which was below the industry average of 20.62, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. (See the full valuation and company profile)
D.R. Horton Inc. (DHI, Financial)
D.R. Horton Inc. 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 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 35 cents in 2012 to an estimated $1.98 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 3.86% 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 D.R. Horton Inc. revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $30.35. The company pays a dividend of 30 cents per share, for a yield of 0.9%. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 16.22, which was below the industry average of 28.02, 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 $12.24. (See the full valuation and company profile)
Equity Residential (EQR, Financial)
Equity Residential qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned with the low current ratio. The Enterprising Investor has concerns regarding the level of debt relative to the current assets. As a result, all value 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 $2.15 in 2012 to an estimated $5.79 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.39% 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 Equity Residential revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $90.07. The company pays a dividend of $2.11 per share, for a yield of 3.2%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 11.29, which was below the industry average of 34.03, 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 $-24.85. (See the full valuation and company profile)
Metlife Inc. (MET, Financial)
Metlife Inc. 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 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 $2.54 in 2012 to an estimated $4.31 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.53% 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.
At the time of valuation, further research into Metlife Inc. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $86.55. The company pays a dividend of $1.53 per share, for a yield of 3.7%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 9.56, which was below the industry average of 16.56, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. (See the full valuation and company profile)
Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI, Financial)
Motorola Solutions Inc. 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, 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 $1.38 in 2012 to an estimated $4.06 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 4.8% 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 Motorola Solutions Inc. revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $0. The company pays a dividend of $1.5 per share, for a yield of 2%. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 18.11, which was below the industry average of 35.13, 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 $-29.35. (See the full valuation and company profile)
PPG Industries Inc. (PPG, Financial)
PPG Industries Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor, but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio and 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 $2.63 in 2012 to an estimated $6.38 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 3.94% 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 PPG Industries Inc. revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $49.66. The company pays a dividend of $1.48 per share, for a yield of 1.4%. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 16.37, which was below the industry average of 28.02, 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 $-17.82. (See the full valuation and company profile)
Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (FOXA, Financial)
Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio and 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 58 cents in 2012 to an estimated $2.37 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.14% 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 Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $15.97. The company pays a dividend of 30 cents per share, for a yield of 1.2%. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 10.78, which was below the industry average of 40.02, 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 $-10. (See the full valuation and company profile)
Valero Energy Corporation (VLO, Financial)
Valero Energy Corporation is suitable for the Enterprising Investor, but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio and insufficient earnings stability over the last ten years. 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 $1.71 in 2012 to an estimated $5.39 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.84% 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 Valero Energy Corporation revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $54.08. The company pays a dividend of $2.1 per share, for a yield of 3.8%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share - ModernGraham) was 10.18, which was below the industry average of 55.24, 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 $-18.5. (See the full valuation and company profile)
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.
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