General Electric (GE) Quarterly Valuation

Benjamin Graham taught that Intelligent Investors must do a thorough fundamental analysis of investment opportunities to determine their intrinsic value and inherent risk.  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 General Electric fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.

Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): General Electric Company (GE) is a diversified technology and financial services company. The products and services of the Company range from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing, and household appliances to medical imaging, business and consumer financing and industrial products. It serves customers in more than 100 countries. In August 2013, General Electric Company completed the acquisition of the aviation business of Ario S.p.A. In February 2014, General Electric Co’s GE Oil & Gas launched its new Downstream Technology Solutions business to supply equipment and services to the $10 bln refining, petrochemical, industrial and distributed gas segments. In February 2014, General Electric Company completed the acquisition of API Healthcare.

GE data by YCharts

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

1. Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion – PASS
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – current ratio greater than 2 – PASS
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 = 4/5

1. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – current ratio greater than 1.5 – PASS
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 – PASS
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 – FAIL

Valuation Summary

Key Data:

Recent Price	$25.47
MG Value	$3.77
MG Opinion	Overvalued
Value Based on 3% Growth	$19.27
Value Based on 0% Growth	$11.29
Market Implied Growth Rate	5.33%
NCAV	-$10.31
PEmg	19.17
Current Ratio	2.04
PB Ratio	1.96

Balance Sheet – 12/31/2013

Current Assets	$422,303,000,000
Current Liabilities	$206,572,000,000
Total Debt	$221,665,000,000
Total Assets	$656,560,000,000
Intangible Assets	$91,958,000,000
Total Liabilities	$525,994,000,000
Outstanding Shares	10,060,880,000

Earnings Per Share

2013	$1.47
2012	$1.39
2011	$1.23
2010	$1.15
2009	$1.03
2008	$1.78
2007	$2.20
2006	$1.99
2005	$1.72
2004	$1.59
2003	$1.55
2002	$1.52

Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham 

2013	$1.33
2012	$1.28
2011	$1.31
2010	$1.44
2009	$1.64
2008	$1.91

Dividend History

GE Dividend data by YCharts

Conclusion:

General Electric appears suitable for either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor; however, the lack of earnings growth is a serious concern for either investor type.  The Defensive Investor is disappointed in the insufficient earnings growth over the ten year historical period and the Enterprising Investor is frustrated by the lack of growth over even a five year historical period.  Both investor types should keep the company on their watch lists, but should also check out other opportunities such as by reviewing 5 Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor and 5 Undervalued Companies for the Enterprising Investor.  From a valuation perspective, the lack of earnings growth plays a big factor.  The company has seen a drop in EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.64 in 2009 to $1.33 for 2013.  Until the earnings improve, the company’s historical performance does not support the market’s implied growth estimate of 5.33%.  As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model returns an estimate of intrinsic value that is below the current price, indicating the company is 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 General Electric (GE)?  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.

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Disclaimer:  The author did not hold a position in General Electric (GE) 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.