A Trio of High Earnings Yield Stocks for the Value Investor

EMCOR Group Inc tops the list

Article's Main Image

Looking for stocks with high earnings yields enhances the likelihood to uncover value opportunities.

A stock with an earnings yield exceeding 6.7% more than doubles the current monthly spot rate of 3.35% on the 20-year high-quality market corporate loan bonds. Thus, value investors may want to consider the following stocks, as their price-earnings ratios (which are the inverse of their earnings yields) are lower than 14.93.

EMCOR Group

Shares of EMCOR Group Inc (EME, Financial) traded at a price of $76.95 per unit at close on Friday for a market capitalization of $4.33 billion.

The Norwalk, Connecticut-based provider of electrical and mechanical construction and facilities services in the U.S. offers an earnings yield of 7.5% and a price-earnings ratio of 13.4.

The share price is up 76.1% over the past five years through March 6, but it is slightly below the Peter Lynch earnings line, suggesting that the stock is fairly valued.

721548733.jpg

GuruFocus assigned a positive rating of 7 out of 10 for the company's financial strength and a high rating of 8 out of 10 for its profitability.

The stock has a forward dividend yield of 0.42% as of Friday.

Wall Street issued an overweight recommendation rating for this stock with a price target average of $93.80.

Werner Enterprises

Shares of Werner Enterprises Inc (WERN, Financial) traded at a price of $33.23 per unit at close on Friday for a market capitalization of $2.30 billion.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based trucking transportation and logistics company grants an earnings yield of 7.2% and a price-earnings ratio of 13.9.

The share price has risen 8.5% over the past five years through March 6. The below chart shows that the share price currently trades below the Peter Lynch earnings line, indicating an affordable investment.

251082310.jpg

GuruFocus assigned a positive rating of 6 out of 10 for the company’s financial strength and a rating of 9 out of 10 for its profitability.

The stock gives a forward dividend yield of 1.08% as of Friday.

As of March, two sell-side analysts recommend a strong buy, one sell-side analyst recommends a buy, 13 sell-side analysts suggest a hold and two sell-side analysts suggest an underperforming rating. The average target price is $41.13 per share.

Oxford Industries

Shares of Oxford Industries Inc (OXM, Financial) traded at a price of $57.81 per unit at close on Friday for a market capitalization of $985.08 million.

The Atlanta, Georgia-based designer, manufacturer, marketer and worldwide distributor of apparel products offers an earnings yield of 7.2% and a price-earnings ratio of 13.96.

The share price has risen by 10.24% over the past five years through March 6. The stock price is still undervalued, as it trades below the Peter Lynch earnings line.

1952675824.jpg

GuruFocus assigned the stock a positive rating of 6 out of 10 for its financial strength and a very good rating of 7 out of 10 for its profitability.

The stock has a 2.56% forward dividend yield as of Friday.

Wall Street recommends an overweight rating for this stock and has established an average target price of $81.67 per share.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any securities mentioned.

Read more here:

Not a Premium Member of GuruFocus? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here.