Family Dollar Stores (FDO) Quarterly Valuation – April 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 Family Dollar fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (Family Dollar) operates a chain of more than 7,900 general merchandise retail discount stores in 46 states, providing consumers with a selection of merchandise in neighborhood stores. The Company’s merchandise assortment includes Consumables, Home Products, Apparel and Accessories, and Seasonal and Electronics. Its Family Dollar store is between 7,500 and 9,500 square feet, with an average of approximately 7,200 square feet of selling space. During the fiscal year ended August 25, 2013, the Company operated 7,916 stores. The Company offers a focused assortment of merchandise in a number of core categories, such as health and beauty aids, packaged food and refrigerated products, home cleaning supplies, house wares, stationery, seasonal goods, apparel, and home fashions. The Company’s typical store generally carries approximately 6500 – 7000 basic stock keeping units (SKUs).
Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 5/7
- 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 – 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 = 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 | $58.02 |
| MG Value | $96.35 |
| MG Opinion | Undervalued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $49.46 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $29.00 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 4.25% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$2.79 |
| PEmg | 17.01 |
| Current Ratio | 1.51 |
| PB Ratio | 4.29 |
Balance Sheet – 11/30/2013
| Current Assets | $2,051,500,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $1,355,700,000 |
| Total Debt | $484,100,000 |
| Total Assets | $3,908,200,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $0 |
| Total Liabilities | $2,369,300,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 113,760,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2014 (estimate) | $3.25 |
| 2013 | $3.83 |
| 2012 | $3.58 |
| 2011 | $3.12 |
| 2010 | $2.62 |
| 2009 | $2.07 |
| 2008 | $1.66 |
| 2007 | $1.62 |
| 2006 | $1.26 |
| 2005 | $1.30 |
| 2004 | $1.53 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2014 (estimate) | $3.41 |
| 2013 | $3.34 |
| 2012 | $2.94 |
| 2011 | $2.48 |
| 2010 | $2.06 |
| 2009 | $1.71 |
Dividend History
FDO Dividend data by YCharts
Conclusion:
Family Dollar Stores qualifies for the Enterprising Investor after passing all five of the investor type’s requirements. Â The company does not qualify for the Defensive Investor at this time due to the low current ratio and the high PB ratio. Â As a result, Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company as well as some of its competitors for comparative purposes, including a review of ModernGraham’s valuation of Dollar General (DG) and ModernGraham’s valuation of Walmart Stores (WMT). Â From a valuation side of things, the company appears undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.06 in 2010 to an estimated $3.41 for 2014. Â This strong level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 4.25% 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 Family Dollar Stores (FDO)?  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 did not hold a position in Family Dollar Stores (FDO) or any other company mentioned in the 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.
