ValueAct Holdings LP (Trades, Portfolio), the investment firm founded by Jeff Ubben in 2000, disclosed its portfolio for the second quarter last week.

Known for its activist investments, the San Francisco-based hedge fund concentrates on acquiring significant ownership stakes in companies it believes are fundamentally undervalued. The investment team seeks out-of-favor companies that are mispriced for a specific reason; ValueAct then works productively with management to maximize shareholder value. After stepping down as chief investment officer in July 2017, handing the reins to Mason Morfit, Ubben announced in June he left the firm to pursue social investing.

One strategy to unearth value opportunities is to screen the market for stocks with an enticing forward price-earnings ratio.

Investors may want to consider the following three stocks, as they have a forward price-earnings ratio that stands below the S&P 500 index's historical average of 15. Estimates of future earnings are based on data from Morningstar analysts.

H&R Block Inc

The first stock that meets the criteria is H&R Block Inc (HRB), a Kansas City, Missouri-based provider of assisted income tax return, do-it-yourself tax and virtual tax preparation services to the general public in North America and Australia.

H&R

U.S. stocks lost ground on Wednesday as the earnings season continues and weak data from new-home construction in the U.S., which fell to 1.253 million in June, missed expectations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.32% to 27,248, the S&P 500 Index slid 0.52% to 2,988 and the Nasdaq Composite Index dipped 0.35% to 8,194.

Shares of Cintas Corp. (CTAS) gained more than 9% on Wednesday after announcing fourth-quarter results. The company posted earnings of $2.07 per share on $1.79 billion in revenue, reflecting 7.2% growth

U.S. stocks were in negative territory on Friday amid concerns of the U.S.-China trade war.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.11% to 26,077, the S&P 500 index retreated 0.24% to 2,884 and the Nasdaq Composite Index swelled 0.53% to 7,795.

Shares of Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) fell more than 6% on Friday after the company announced second-quarter results. Revenue grew 10% from the prior-year quarter to $5.52 billion, but fell $180 million short of analysts’ expectations. Earnings of $5.21 per share topped estimates by 3 cents.

The gross margin was $3.08 billion, or 56% of net revenue, higher than

U.S. stocks were in negative territory on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.23% to 25,983, the S&P 500 index declined 0.29% to 2,877 and the Nasdaq Composite Index retreated 0.48% to 7,785.

Shares of Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc. (PLAY) tumbled more than 22% on Wednesday after the company announced first-quarter results on Tuesday. Revenue grew 9.4% from the prior-year quarter to $363.58 million, falling $8.14 million short of expectations. Earnings of $1.13 per share also fell 1 cent short of analysts' estimates.

“We delivered robust revenue and

There are a number of great companies in the market today, but there are also a number of companies that are vastly overvalued. Using the ModernGraham valuation model, I've selected the 10 most overvalued companies of the S&P 500.

These companies are not suitable for the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor. 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

AES Corp. (NYSE:AES) (2.3% of net assets as of December 31, 2018) (AES – $14.46 – NYSE) is a global power company. Since late 2011, AES has been narrowing its strategic focus, which included the sale of over $3 billion in non-core assets, buying back stock and debt, and paying a dividend. Roughly 90% of earnings are now derived from only eight countries (compared to 30 several years ago) under four reporting segments, including U.S. (U.S., Puerto Rico, and El Salvador); South America (Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil); MCAC (Mexico, Panama, and Dominican Republic); and Eurasia. The acquisition of

To Our Shareholders,

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the net asset value (NAV) per Class AAA Share of The Gabelli Utilities Fund decreased 4.4% compared with an increase of 1.4% for the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Utilities Index (SPU). Other classes of shares are available. See page 2 for additional performance information for all classes.

Utility Performance and Outlook

In 2018, the S&P 500 Utilities Index (SPU) returned 4.1% including dividends, compared with a 4.4% decrease in the S&P 500 Index (S&P 500). Since the S&P 500 market peak on September 20, 2018, the utility index outperformed

According to the GuruFocus All-in-One Guru Screener, the following stocks have outperformed the Standard & Poor's 500 index over the past 12 months and were bought by gurus during the last quarter.

Ameren Corp. (AEE) has a market cap of $17.17 billion. It has outperformed the S&P 500 index by 13.9% over the past 12 months.

The stock is trading with a price-earnings ratio of 25.34. According to the DCF calculator, the stock is overpriced by 137% at $70.29 per share. As of Thursday, the stock price is 36.27% above its 52-week low and

Wall street opened lower on Monday after trade tensions began to escalate again. Almost all S&P 500 sectors were lower today.

Shares of Tesla (TSLA) moved higher on news that second quarter production totaled 53,339 vehicles, up 55% when compared to the previous quarter. Model 3 production came in at 28,578 units, while combined Model S and X production was 24,761 units.

"GA4, our new General Assembly line for Model 3, was responsible for roughly 20% of Model 3s produced last week, with quality from that line being as good as our regular GA3 line. We expect that GA3

U.S. markets are set to open low on Thursday, extending to a third straight session of losses despite economic releases that show a stronger labor market and manageable inflation, which advanced 0.4% and core was up 0.3% in January. Further, the market has an eye on Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell’s testimony in front of the Senate.

Shares of Box, Inc. (BOX) lost 18% in morning trading on the heels of the company posting its financial results for the fourth quarter. For the quarter, the company reported an annual net sales growth of 24.4% to $136.7 million, while it registered

U.S. markets are set to open high on Tuesday, ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell´s opinion about increasing gradually the Fed funds rate.

Shares of Mallinckrodt Public Limited Co. (MNK) gained almost 30% in morning trading on the heels of the company posting its financial results for the fourth quarter. The company reported an annual net sales decline of 4.5% to $792.3 million, while its profit advanced to $2.01 per share. Moreover, the results beat analysts’ estimates by 32 cents in earnings per share and $18.12 million in revenue. In addition, GAAP gross profit reached $421.0 million with gross

U.S. stock markets are set to open high on Thursday ahead of the biggest decline in several years in the labor market. Initial U.S. jobless claims fell more than expected, 41,000 to 220,000 for the week ended Jan. 13.

Shares of SPI Energy Co. Ltd. (SPI) traded almost 40% higher on premarket Thursday session on news that its SPI China subsidiary established a strategic partnership with Hoofoo Inc., the leading hack-proof cryptocurrency wallet for iOS and android phones. Under the agreement, Hoofoo will authorize SPI Energy to distribute Hoofoo's cryptocurrency wallet in Australia, Europe, the U.S. and China.