Viacom Inc. (VIAB) Quarterly Valuation – March 2014
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 Viacom Inc. fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Viacom Inc. (Viacom) is an entertainment content company that connects with audiences in over 160 countries and territories and creates compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, applications (apps), games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content. The Company operates through two segments: Media Networks and Filmed Entertainment. The Company’s Media Networks segment provides entertainment content and related branded products for consumers in targeted demographics attractive to advertisers, content distributors and retailers. The Company’s Filmed Entertainment segment produces, finances, acquires and distributes motion pictures and other entertainment content under the Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies brands.
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 – FAIL
- 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
- Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 – PASS
- Moderate Price to Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 – FAIL
Enterprising Investor – must pass at least 4 of the following 5 tests or be suitable for a defensive investor: Score = 4/5
- 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 – FAIL
- 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 | $85.42 |
| MG Value | $178.02 |
| MG Opinion | Undervalued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $67.05 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $39.30 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 4.99% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$28.51 |
| PEmg | 18.47 |
| Current Ratio | 1.69 |
| PB Ratio | 7.82 |
Balance Sheet – 12/31/2013
| Current Assets | $5,447,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $3,223,000,000 |
| Total Debt | $11,868,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $22,778,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $11,358,000,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $17,976,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 439,500,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2014 (estimate) | $5.40 |
| 2013 | $4.86 |
| 2012 | $4.36 |
| 2011 | $3.61 |
| 2010 | $2.62 |
| 2009 | $1.97 |
| 2008 | $2.41 |
| 2007 | $2.19 |
| 2006 | $1.73 |
| 2005 | $1.85 |
| 2004 | $1.52 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2014 (estimate) | $4.62 |
| 2013 | $3.99 |
| 2012 | $3.36 |
| 2011 | $2.76 |
| 2010 | $2.29 |
| 2009 | $2.09 |
Dividend History
VIAB Dividend data by YCharts
Conclusion:
Viacom is an intriguing company for the Enterprising Investor, having passed all but one of the investor type’s requirements. Â The company does not qualify for the Defensive Investor, though, due to the low current ratio, lack of long enough dividend history, and high PB ratio. Â As a result, Enterprising Investors should feel comfortable conducting further research into the company and its competitors, such as through a review of ModernGraham’s valuation of Time Warner (TWX) and ModernGraham’s valuation of The Walt Disney Company (DIS). Â From a valuation perspective, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.29 in 2010 to an estimated $4.62 for 2014. Â This solid level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 4.99% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model to return an estimate of intrinsic value that is well above 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 Viacom Inc. (VIAB)?  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 long position in The Walt Disney Company (DIS) but did not hold a position in Viacom Inc. (VIAB) 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 wikipedia; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.
