The Chubb Corporation (CB) 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 The Chubb Corporation fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.

Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): The Chubb Corporation (Chubb) is a holding company for several, separately organized, property and casualty insurance companies referred to informally as the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies (the P&C Group). The P&C Group provides property and casualty insurance to businesses and individuals worldwide. The P&C Group is divided into three business units: Chubb Personal Insurance, Chubb Commercial Insurance and Chubb Specialty Insurance. Chubb Commercial Insurance offers a range of commercial insurance products, including coverage for multiple peril, casualty, workers’ compensation and property and marine. Chubb Specialty Insurance offers a variety of professional liability products for privately and publicly owned companies, financial institutions, professional firms, healthcare and not-for-profit organizations. Chubb Specialty Insurance also includes its surety business.

CB data by YCharts

Defensive Investor – must pass all 6 of the following tests: Score = 6/6

1. Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion – PASS
2. Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years – PASS
3. Dividend Record – has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years – PASS
4. 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 – PASS
5. Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 – PASS
6. Moderate Price to Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 – PASS

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

1. Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years – PASS
2. Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend – PASS
3. Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago – PASS

Valuation Summary

Key Data:

Balance Sheet – 12/31/2013

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham 

Dividend History

CB Dividend data by YCharts

Conclusion:

The Chubb Corporation is a strong company that is suitable for either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor.  The company passes all of the requirements of each investor type, indicating it has strong fundamentals and should present a lower level of risk than many other companies.  As a result, value investors seeking to follow the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research, including a review of 5 Outstanding Dow Components and keeping in mind the 7 Key Tips to Value Investing.  From a valuation side of things, the company appears fairly valued, having grown its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $5.87 in 2009 to $7.00 for 2013.  This level of growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 2% earnings growth, and the ModernGraham valuation model returns an estimate of intrinsic value that falls within a safety margin in relation to the market price.

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 The Chubb Corporation (CB)?  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 The Chubb Corporation (CB) 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.