FMC Corporation Quarterly Valuation – August 2014 $FMC
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 or by reviewing the 5 Undervalued Companies for the Enterprising Investor. 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 FMC Corporation (FMC) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): FMC Corporation (FMC) is a diversified chemical company. The Company operates in three business segments: Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Chemicals. Its Agricultural Products segment develops, markets and sells all three classes of crop protection chemicals, such as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, with particular strength in insecticides and herbicides. Specialty Chemicals consists of its BioPolymer and lithium businesses and focuses on food ingredients that are used to enhance texture, color, structure and physical stability, and lithium for energy storage, specialty polymers and pharmaceutical synthesis. Its Industrial Chemicals segment manufactures a range of inorganic materials. In March 2014, the Company announced that it has completed the sale of its Peroxygens business to affiliates of One Equity Partners. In May 2014, the Company established new natural colors blending facility at its Newark, Del., manufacturing site.
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 -Â FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years -Â PASS
- Dividend Record – has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years -Â 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 -Â PASS
- Moderate Price to Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 -Â 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 -Â PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 -Â PASS
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years – PASS
- Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend -Â PASS
- Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago -Â PASS
Valuation Summary
Key Data:
| Recent Price | $65.40 |
| MG Value | $130.21 |
| MG Opinion | Undervalued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $49.04 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $28.75 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 5.42% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$4.99 |
| PEmg | 19.34 |
| Current Ratio | 1.63 |
| PB Ratio | 5.09 |
Balance Sheet – 6/30/2014
| Current Assets | $2,752,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $1,692,900,000 |
| Total Debt | $1,153,700,000 |
| Total Assets | $5,127,300,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $653,400,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $3,416,700,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 133,240,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2014 (estimate) | $4.16 |
| 2013 | $3.33 |
| 2012 | $3.22 |
| 2011 | $2.77 |
| 2010 | $1.41 |
| 2009 | $1.69 |
| 2008 | $2.18 |
| 2007 | $1.01 |
| 2006 | $0.92 |
| 2005 | $0.71 |
| 2004 | $1.18 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2014 (estimate) | $3.38 |
| 2013 | $2.82 |
| 2012 | $2.46 |
| 2011 | $2.00 |
| 2010 | $1.55 |
| 2009 | $1.52 |
Dividend History
FMC Dividend data by YCharts
Conclusion:
FMC Corporation is not suitable for the Defensive Investor but does satisfy the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor has concerns with the low current ratio, lack of dividend payments and the high PB ratio, while the Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.  As a result, Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with 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 $1.55 in 2010 to an estimated $3.38 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 5.42% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the 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 FMC Corporation (FMC)?  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.
Disclaimer:  The author did not hold a position in FMC Corporation (FMC) or in any other company mentioned 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 for the sole purpose of identifying the company; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.
