5 Undervalued Companies for Defensive Investors Near 52 Week Lows – September 2014
There are a number of great companies in the market today. By using the ModernGraham Valuation Model, I’ve selected the five undervalued companies reviewed by ModernGraham trading closest to their 52 week low. Each of these companies has been determined to be suitable for the Defensive Investor according to the ModernGraham approach. 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.
Be sure to check out the history of this screen to see which companies have been selected in the past.
Mattel Inc. (MAT)
Mattel qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor.  The Defensive Investor’s only initial concern is the high PB ratio, while the Enterprising Investor has no concerns.  Therefore, value 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 including a review of ModernGraham’s valuation of Hasbro Inc. (HAS).  As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.53 in 2010 to an estimated $2.21 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.72% 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)
Deere & Company (DE)
Deere & Co. is suitable for either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor’s only concern is with the high PB ratio while the Enterprising Investor has no significant concerns. As a result, value 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 through a review of ModernGraham’s valuation of Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be significantly undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.68 in 2010 to an estimated $7.77. This strong level of demonstrated growth is greater than the market’s implied estimate of 1.57% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, which is based on Benjamin Graham’s methods, to return an estimate of intrinsic value that is well above the market price at this time. Â (See the full valuation)
Aflac Inc. (AFL)
Aflac Inc. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. In fact, the company satisfies all of the requirements of both investor types, which is a rare accomplishment. As a result, value 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 $3.66 in 2010 to an estimated $5.95 for 2014. This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 0.89% 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)
CA Inc. (CA)
CA Incorporated qualifies for either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor’s only concern is the low current ratio, and the company qualifies for the Enterprising Investor by default. As a result, value 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 $1.32 in 2011 to an estimated $2.08 for 2015. This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 2.53% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. Â (See the full valuation)
Coach Inc. (COH)
Coach qualifies for either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor’s only concern with the company is the short dividend history while the company passes all of the requirements of the Enterprising Investor. As a result, value 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 a review of ModernGraham’s valuation of Ralph Lauren (RL). As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.03 in 2010 to an estimated $3.20 for 2014. This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.22% 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)
What do you think?  Are these companies a good value for Defensive Investors?  Is there a company you like better?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or mention @ModernGraham on Twitter to discuss.
Disclaimer: Â The author held a long position in both Coach Inc. (COH) and Deere & Co. (DE) but did not hold a position in any other company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing those holdings within the next 72 hours.
