Ryder System, Inc. (R) Annual Valuation

Ryder is highly involved in the trucking industry, and as a result the company’s prospects tend to be somewhat tied to the economy.  After all, the country ships less goods when the economy is down, so it is only natural for Ryder’s results to suffer when that happens.  However, this leads many speculators to become involved in the pricing of Ryder’s shares through speculating about macro economic concerns.  Intelligent Investors know that this is a dangerous activity, as speculating invites emotion into investment decisions and as a result it should be avoided as much as possible.  Rather, Intelligent Investors must stick to their investment techniques and look primarily at the fundamentals and actual results the company achieves.  A company must have strong financial statements to prove that it is stable enough for Intelligent Investors.  This is best done by utilizing a systematic approach to analysis that will provide investors with a sense of how a specific company compares to another company.  By using the ModernGraham method one can review a company’s historical accomplishments and determine an intrinsic value that can be compared across industries.  What follows is a specific look at how Ryder System, Inc. fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.

Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Ryder System, Inc. (Ryder) is engaged in transportation and supply chain management solutions. Ryder operates in three business segments: Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), which provides full service leasing, contract maintenance, contract-related maintenance and commercial rental of trucks, tractors and trailers to customers principally in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom; Supply Chain Solutions (SCS), which provides supply chain solutions, including distribution and transportation services throughout North America and Asia, and Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC), which provides vehicles and drivers as part of a dedicated transportation solution in the United States. On June 8, 2011, it acquired all of the common stock of Hill Hire plc (Hill Hire). On August 1, 2012, it acquired Euroway Group Ltd. In September 2012, it opened its new Ryder Vehicle Sales center, offering used trucks for sale in the Greater Vancouver Area.

R data by YCharts

Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 5/7

1. Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion – PASS
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – current ratio greater than 2 – FAIL
3. Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years – PASS
4. Dividend Record – has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years – PASS
5. Earnings Growth – earnings per share has increased by at least 1/3 over the last 10 years using 3 year averages at beginning and end of period – FAIL
6. Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 – PASS
7. Moderate Price to Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 – PASS

Enterprising Investor – must pass at least 4 of the following 5 tests or be suitable for a defensive investor: Score = 3/5

1. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – current ratio greater than 1.5 – FAIL
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 – FAIL
3. Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years – PASS
4. Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend – PASS
5. Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago – PASS

Valuation Summary

Key Data:

Balance Sheet – 9/30/2013

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham 

Dividend History

R Dividend data by YCharts

Conclusion:

Ryder System, Inc. is not suitable for either Defensive Investors or Enterprising Investors.  The company’s current ratio is far too low for Defensive Investors, and it has not sufficiently grown its earnings over the ten year period.  For Enterprising Investors, the company holds too much debt relative to its current assets.  As a result, value investors seeking to follow the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should research other opportunities, such as through a review of companies that pass the ModernGraham requirements.  From strictly a valuation side of things, the company’s EPSmg (normalized earnings) have grown from $3.10 in 2009 to $3.76 for 2013.  This level of demonstrated historical growth lags behind the market’s implied estimate for growth of 5.11%.  As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model returns an intrinsic value that is below the price at which the market currently trades, and the company appears to be overvalued.

The next part of the analysis is up to individual investors, and requires discussion of the company’s prospects.  What do you think?  What value would you put on Ryder System, Inc. (R)?  Where do you see the company going in the future?  Is there a company you like better?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.

If you like our valuations, why not check out ModernGraham Stocks & Screens?  It’s a great way to review the valuations while screening for things like low PE ratio, undervalued companies, etc.!

Disclaimer:  The author did not hold a position in Ryder System, Inc. (R) or any of the other companies listed in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours.

Logo taken from the Wikipedia; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.