One popular approach to investing based on Benjamin Graham's methods is to use the so-called "Graham Number." There are some important differences between the Graham Number and the Graham Formula, but using the Graham Number is definitely useful even if the investor only uses it as a screening tactic.
I've selected the best companies that trade below their Graham Number. The companies selected are all found suitable for the Defensive Investor and/or the Enterprising Investor, and have been ruled as undervalued based on the ModernGraham valuation model.
Defensive Investors are defined as investors who 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.
These companies have demonstrated strong financial positions through passing the rigorous requirements of the ModernGraham Investor and show potential for capital growth based on their current price in relation to intrinsic value. As such, these Graham-number stocks may be a great investment if they prove to be suitable for your portfolio after your own additional research.
GameStop Corp. (GME, Financial)
GameStop Corp. 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 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 $2.03 in 2015 to an estimated $2.45 for 2019. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.3% annual earnings loss 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 GameStop Corp. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $37.34. The company pays a dividend of $1.52 per share, for a yield of 10.5%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 5.91, which was below the industry average of 37.1, 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 $-2.68.Â
Unum Group 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 $2.31 in 2014 to an estimated $4.21 for 2018. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.44% 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.
At the time of valuation, further research into Unum Group revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $69.92. The company pays a dividend of 86 cents per share, for a yield of 1.8% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 11.39, which was below the industry average of 22.6, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry.Â
Newell Brands Inc. (NWL, Financial)
Newell Brands 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 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 $1.28 in 2014 to an estimated $2.89 for 2018. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.48% 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 Newell Brands Inc revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $41.25. The company pays a dividend of 88 cents per share, for a yield of 3.2%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 9.46, which was below the industry average of 20.37, 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 $-26.44.
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY, Financial)
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, poor dividend history. 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 $4.19 in 2014 to an estimated $4.19 for 2018. This level of earnings growth (even though the earnings didn't actually grow) outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.57% annual earnings loss 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 Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $34.59. The company pays a dividend of 38 cents per share, for a yield of 1.7% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 5.36, which was below the industry average of 35.42, 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 $-3.6.Â
Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU, Financial)
Prudential Financial 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 $2.17 in 2014 to an estimated $12.54 for 2018. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 0.45% annual earnings loss 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.
At the time of valuation, further research into Prudential Financial Inc revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $185.87. The company pays a dividend of $3 per share, for a yield of 3.1%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 7.6, which was below the industry average of 30.02, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry.Â
Lincoln National Corp. (LNC, Financial)
Lincoln National 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 $4.25 in 2014 to an estimated $7.21 for 2018. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.03% 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.
At the time of valuation, further research into Lincoln National Corp. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $121.79. The company pays a dividend of $0.87 per share, for a yield of 1.1% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 10.56, which was below the industry average of 20.16, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry.Â
CNO Financial Group Inc. (CNO, Financial)
CNO Financial Group Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the poor dividend history. 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 $1.01 in 2014 to an estimated $1.56 for 2018. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 2.89% 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.
At the time of valuation, further research into CNO Financial Group Inc. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $36.61. The company pays a dividend of 35 cents per share, for a yield of 1.6% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 14.28, which was below the industry average of 36.08, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry.Â
Invesco Ltd. 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 $1.89 in 2014 to an estimated $2.63 for 2018. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 1.87% 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 Invesco Ltd. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $38.6. The company pays a dividend of $1.15 per share, for a yield of 3.6%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 12.24, which was below the industry average of 21.55, 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 $-14.2.Â
International Speedway Corp. Class A (ISCA, Financial)
International Speedway Corp. Class A qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned with the small size. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net 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 $1.25 in 2014 to an estimated $2.98 for 2018. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 2.96% 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 International Speedway Corp Class A revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $62.27. The company pays a dividend of 43 cents per share, for a yield of 1% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 14.42, which was below the industry average of 38.81, 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 $-6.66.Â
Citizens Financial Group Inc. (CFG, Financial)
Citizens Financial Group 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, and the poor dividend history. 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 -89 cents in 2014 to an estimated $2.67 for 2018. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market's implied estimate of 3.59% 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.
At the time of valuation, further research into Citizens Financial Group Inc. revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $55.04. The company pays a dividend of 64 cents per share, for a yield of 1.5% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share) was 15.67, which was below the industry average of 22.06, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry.Â
Disclaimer
The author held a long position in IVZ but did not hold a position in any other company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no specific intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours; however, the author does intend to make some trades in the next 72 hours and may select a company from this list. This article is not investment advice and all readers are encouraged to speak to a registered investment adviser prior to making any investing decisions. Please also read our full disclaimer.Â
