We've said it time and time again... one of the absolute best features of the Magic Formula® Investing (MFI) strategy is its ability to dig up highly attractive, small-cap value stocks that you would probably not hear about anywhere else.
This being earnings season, new earnings reports always "shake up" the Magic Formula screens, replacing long-time entries with new, fresh names to look into. We've found four particularly interesting new small-cap value names that have recently entered the screens, and wanted to share some quick thoughts on them here.
Should you buy? That's for you to decide (we have some ideas), but at a glance these certainly look like stocks that warrant additional consideration. Here they are!
Edgewater Technology Inc (EDGW, Financial)
Edgewater is an organizational consulting firm, offering technical, HR, and other advisory services. Revenues have been steady, but margins have improved sequentially in each of the last few years. Edgewater is also financially strong, with almost $26 million in cash (32% of market cap), and no debt. With an earnings yield approaching 12%, the stock is legitimately cheap, as well.
Concurrent Computer Corp (CCUR, Financial)
Concurrent develops high-performance, real-time, multi-screen video solutions, providing "turn-key" solutions including software, hardware, and services. While the company is not really growing revenues (which have been steady at around $70 million for a decade), operating margins have improved substantially in the last few years, the firm has an outstanding, debt-free balance sheet, and the stock now pays a dividend yield approaching 7%. At just a $65 million market cap, Concurrent also looks like attractive acquisition bait for a larger tech company looking to build out its video offerings. The stock is trading near a 52-week low right now, with an earnings yield exceeding 13%.
Liberator Medical Holdings Inc (LBMH, Financial)
Liberator is a direct-to-consumer provider of medical supplies, primarily urological catheters, ostomysupplies, mastectomy fashions, and diabetic supplies, aimed at Medicare-eligible seniors. The company has an attractive revenue growth ramp, with sales growing at a 5-year average of nearly 50%. This has leveraged costs, leading margins up from just 5% in 2011 to 18% today. Liberator pays a 4.3% dividend yield and has a solid balance sheet with $20 million in cash and just $3 million in debt. Below $3, the stock is at the bottom of its 52-week range.
PDF Solutions Inc (PDFS, Financial)
Far from an electronic document company, PDF Solutions provides software, IP, hardware, and services designed to speed the process and lower the cost of designing and manufacturing custom integrated circuits (ICs), especially in the area of yield improvements. PDFS has booked solid 3-year average revenue growth of 18%, has exploded operating margins from 2% in 2010 to over 35% today, generates free cash flow in excess of net income, and has no debt with a nice cash cushion of $65 million. At under $13, the stock is more than 50% below its 52-week high and carries a bargain 12% earnings yield.
