5 Highest Dividend Yielding Companies to Research for the Enterprising Investor – August 2014
There are a number of great companies in the market today. By using the ModernGraham Valuation Model, I’ve selected the five highest dividend yields among the undervalued companies reviewed by ModernGraham. Each company has been determined to be suitable for Enterprising Investor according to the ModernGraham approach. This is a sample of one screen that is included in ModernGraham Stocks & Screens, which is available for premium subscribers.  Defensive Investors are defined as investors who are not able or willing to do substantial research into individual investments, and therefore need to select only the companies that present the least amount of risk. Enterprising Investors, on the other hand, are able to do substantial research and can select companies that present a moderate (though still low) amount of risk. Each company suitable for the Defensive Investor is also suitable for Enterprising Investors.
This month, Ford Motor Company (F) drops off the list and is replaced with International Paper Company (IP).  Be sure to review the history of this screen to see which companies have been selected previously!
SLM Corp (SLM)
SLM Corporation is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor has concerns with the lack of stable earnings over the last ten years and the lack of consistent dividend payments over the last ten years.  However, the company passes all of the Enterprising Investor’s requirements and the investor type thus has no significant initial concerns. 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 and comparing it to other opportunities such as through ModernGraham’s valuation of Discover Financial Services (DFS).  From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.28 in 2010 to an estimated $1.53 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth supports the market’s implied estimate of negative 1.52% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value well above the price.  (See the full valuation)
B&G Foods Inc. (BGS)
B&G Foods is intriguing to Enterprising Investors but does not qualify for the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor has some major concerns and in fact the only requirements of the investor type which the company passes are the earnings stability and earnings growth.  The Enterprising Investor, on the other hand, only has an issue with the level of debt relative to the net current assets.  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 and comparing it to other opportunities.  As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.49 in 2010 to an estimated $1.22 for 2014.  This strong level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 9.39% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, which is based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value exceeding the market price.  (See the full valuation)
People’s United Financial Inc. (PBCT)
People’s United Financial qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned by the high PEmg ratio, but the company passes all of the Enterprising Investor’s requirements.  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 and comparing it to other opportunities.  As for a valuation, the company appears undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.34 in 2010 to an estimated $0.72 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 5.97% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, which is based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the market price. (See the full valuation)
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX)
Freeport-McMoRan satisfies the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor has concerns with the low current ratio, as well as the lack of earnings stability over the last ten years and the lack of stable dividend payments over that time frame.  The Enterprising Investor’s only concern is with the high level of debt relative to the net current assets.  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 and comparing it to other opportunities.  From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be significantly undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.01 in 2010 to an estimated $2.95 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth more than supports the market’s implied estimate of 1.86% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)
International Paper Company (IP)
International Paper is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor has concerns with the low current ratio, lack of earnings stability or sufficient growth over the last ten years, and the high PB ratio.  The Enterprising Investor’s only initial concern is the level of debt relative to the net current assets.  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 and comparing it to other opportunities.  From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.85 in 2010 to an estimated $2.78 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 4.74% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.  (See the full valuation)
What do you think?  Are these companies a good value for Enterprising Investors?  Is there a company you like better?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.
Disclaimer:  The author did not hold a position in any company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing those holdings within the next 72 hours.  Logos are taken from either the company page or Wikipedia for purposes of identifying the company only; ModernGraham has no affiliation with the companies.
