There are a number of great companies in the market today. The ModernGraham valuation model selected some of the most undervalued Canadian companies. Each company has been determined to be suitable for the Defensive Investor or 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. Each company suitable for the Defensive Investor is also suitable for Enterprising Investors.
Celestica Inc. (TSX:CLS, Financial)
Celestica is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the small size, low current ratio, insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last 10 years and the poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the lack of dividends. As a result, all Enterprising Investors should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from 29 cents in 2012 to an estimated 98 cents for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 4% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 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 Celestica revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $20.71. The company does not pay a dividend. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 16.51, below the industry average of 28.12, 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 $6.81. (See the full valuation)
Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (TSX:ITP, Financial)
Intertape Polymer Group 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 10 years, the poor dividend history and the high PEmg and price-book (P/B) ratios. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all Enterprising Investors should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg from -18 cents in 2012 to an estimated $1.17 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 5.91% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the valuation model returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Intertape Polymer Group revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $13.53. The company pays a dividend of 70 cents per share for a yield of 2.9%, putting it among the best dividend-paying stocks today. Its PEmg was 20.32, below the industry average of 28.3, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its NCAV of $-1.93. (See the full valuation)
Canfor Corp. (TSX:CFP, Financial)
Canfor is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the small size, low current ratio, insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last 10 years, the poor dividend history and the high PEmg ratio. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the lack of dividends. As a result, all Enterprising Investors should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg from -16 cents in 2012 to an estimated 81 cents for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 6.09% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the valuation model returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Canfor revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $14.31. The company does not pay a dividend. Its PEmg was 20.68, below the industry average of 24.45, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its NCAV of $-6.5. (See the full valuation)
Stella-Jones Inc. (TSX:SJ, Financial)
Stella-Jones is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the high PEmg and P/B ratios. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg from 84 cents in 2012 to an estimated $1.9 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 6.88% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the valuation model returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Stella-Jones revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $27.89. The company pays a dividend of 38 cents per share for a yield of 0.9%. Its PEmg was 22.26, below the industry average of 28.49, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its NCAV of $2.03. (See the full valuation)
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM, Financial)
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 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 10 years. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.
As for valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg from $7.07 in 2013 to an estimated $9.62 for 2017. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.5% annual earnings growth over the next seven to 10 years. As a result, the valuation model returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $114.08. The company pays a dividend of $4.75 per share for a yield of 4.3%, putting it among the best dividend-paying stocks today. Its PEmg was 11.5, below the industry average of 21.43, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. (See the full valuation)
What do you think? Are these companies a good value for Defensive Investors? Is there a company you like better? Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.
Disclosure:Â 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. This article first appeared on ModernGraham.
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