There are a number of great companies in the market today. By using the ModernGraham Valuation Model, I've selected the five most undervalued Dow stocks reviewed by ModernGraham, which are 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.
Be sure to check out the history of this screen, including the companies which have been chosen in the past.
Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV, Financial)
Travelers Companies qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, an accomplishment indicative of the company's strong financial position. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with the next stage of the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $5.25 in 2011 to an estimated $8.88 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.81% 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)
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM, Financial)
JPMorgan Chase & Co. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company's strong fundamentals. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham's methods should feel comfortable proceeding with the next stage of the analysis.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.47 in 2011 to an estimated $5.15 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.83% 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)
Pfizer Inc. (PFE, Financial)
Pfizer Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings growth over the last 10 years, and 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 $1.18 in 2011 to an estimated $1.94 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 4.19% 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)
Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO, Financial)
Cisco qualifies for both the Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is only concerned with the short dividend record. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value 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 $1.30 in 2011 to an estimated $1.83 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 3.5% 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)
What do you think? Are these companies a good value for Defensive Investors? Is there a company you like better?Â
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 read our full disclaimer.
This article first appeared on ModernGraham.
