I evaluated 36 different companies this week to determine whether they are suitable for Defensive Investors, those unwilling to do substantial research, or Enterprising Investors, those who are willing to do such research. I also put each company through the ModernGraham valuation model based on Benjamin Graham’s value investing formulas in order to determine an intrinsic value for each. Out of those 36 companies, only 14 were found to be undervalued or fairly valued and suitable for either Defensive or Enterprising Investors. Therefore, these 14 companies are the best undervalued stocks of the week.
The Elite
The following companies were found to be suitable for either the Defensive Investor or Enterprising Investor and undervalued:
Aetna Inc (AET)
Aetna 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 $4.4 in 2012 to an estimated $6.61 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 4.47% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.  (Read the full valuation)
Dollar General Corp (DG)
Dollar General Corp. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, insufficient earnings stability over the last ten years, and the poor dividend history, and the high PEmg and PB ratios. 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 $2.07 in 2013 to an estimated $3.9 for 2017. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 7.7% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 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 Dollar General Corp. revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $44.12. The company pays a dividend of $0.91 per share, for a yield of 1%. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 23.89, which was below the industry average of 49.91, 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 $-8.54.  (Read the full valuation)
Hanesbrands Inc (HBI)
Hanesbrands Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the poor dividend history, and the high PEmg and PB ratios. 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 $0.46 in 2012 to an estimated $1.16 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 6.71% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 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 Hanesbrands Inc. revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $10.1. The company pays a dividend of $0.42 per share, for a yield of 1.7% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 21.93, which was below the industry average of 26.26, 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 $-5.05.  (Read the full valuation)
