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 Graham Holdings Company fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Graham Holdings Company, formerly The Washington Post Company, is a diversified education and media company whose principal operations include educational services, television broadcasting, cable television systems, and online, print and local TV news. The Company owns Kaplan, a provider of educational services to individuals, schools and businesses, serving over one million students annually with operations in more than 30 countries. Its programs include higher education, test preparation, language instruction and professional training. Its Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc owns six television stations which include WDIV-Detroit (NBC), KPRC-Houston (NBC),WPLG-Miami (ABC), WKMG-Orlando (CBS), KSAT-San Antonio (ABC) and WJXT-Jacksonville (independent). The stations also broadcast digital channels focusing on classic television and lifestyle programming, in addition to operating mobile sites and mobile applications delivering breaking news, weather and community news.
Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 4/7
- Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion – PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – current ratio greater than 2 – FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years – PASS
- Dividend Record – has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years – PASS
- 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
- Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 – FAIL
- 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 = 5/5
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – current ratio greater than 1.5 – PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 – PASS
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years – PASS
- Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend – PASS
- Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago – PASS
Valuation Summary
Key Data:
| Recent Price | $717.95 |
| MG Value | $175.69 |
| MG Opinion | Overvalued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $268.01 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $157.11 |
| Market-Implied Growth Rate | 15.17% |
| NCAV | -$109.42 |
| PEmg | 38.84 |
| Current Ratio | 1.82 |
| PB Ratio | 1.61 |
Balance Sheet – 12/31/2013
| Current Assets | $1,702,400,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $934,100,000 |
| Total Debt | $447,600,000 |
| Total Assets | $5,811,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $1,869,500,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $2,511,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 7,390,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2013 | $25.78 |
| 2012 | $6.09 |
| 2011 | $15.23 |
| 2010 | $34.26 |
| 2009 | $9.78 |
| 2008 | $6.87 |
| 2007 | $30.19 |
| 2006 | $34.21 |
| 2005 | $32.59 |
| 2004 | $34.59 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2013 | $18.48 |
| 2012 | $14.71 |
| 2011 | $19.10 |
| 2010 | $21.71 |
| 2009 | $17.86 |
| 2008 | $23.83 |
Dividend History
GHC Dividend data by YCharts
Conclusion:
Graham Holdings Company is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor. Â For the Defensive Investor, the company has a current ratio that is too low, a PEmg ratio that is too high, and has shown insufficient earnings growth over the ten year period. Â The company passes all requirements of the Enterprising Investor. Â As a result, Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research, including a review of 5 Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor and a Glance at the Dow. Â As for the valuation, the company appears significantly overvalued as the earnings have not kept up with the recent rise in price. Â EPSmg (normalized earnings) have gone from $17.86 in 2009 to only $18.48, a level of demonstrated growth that does not support the market’s current implied estimate of 15.17% earnings growth. Â This leads the ModernGraham valuation model to return an estimate for intrinsic value that is well below the market price at this time.
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 Deere & Co. (DE)?  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: Â The author held a position in Deere & Co. (DE) but none 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.
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