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 to Research for the Defensive Investor - October 2014. 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 Mattel Inc. (MAT) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Mattel, Inc. (Mattel) designs, manufactures and markets a variety of toy products worldwide which are sold to its customers and directly to consumers. Mattel’s portfolio of brands and products are grouped in categories, such as Mattel Girls & Boys Brands, including Barbie fashion dolls and accessories (Barbie), Polly Pocket, Little Mommy, Disney Classics, and Monster High (collectively Other Girls Brands), Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Tyco R/C vehicles and play sets, and CARS, Radica, Toy Story, Max Steel, WWE Wrestling, and Batman, and games and puzzles; Fisher-Price Brands-including Fisher-Price, Little People, BabyGear, Imaginext, and View-Master, Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go!, Thomas and Friends, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Sing-a-ma-jigs, and See ‘N Say, and Power Wheels, and American Girl Brands, including My American Girl, the historical collection, and Bitty Baby. In May 2014, the Company, through its subsidiary, acquired MEGA Brands Inc.
Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 7/7
- Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion -Â PASS
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – current ratio greater than 2 -Â PASS
- 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 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 -Â 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 PASS
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 | $30.88 |
| MG Value | $42.69 |
| MG Opinion | Undervalued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $30.69 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $17.99 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 3.04% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$1.45 |
| PEmg | 14.59 |
| Current Ratio | 2.74 |
| PB Ratio | 3.43 |
Balance Sheet – September 2014
| Current Assets | $3,323,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $1,211,000,000 |
| Total Debt | $2,100,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $6,884,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $2,146,000,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $3,816,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 340,300,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2014 (estimate) | $1.71 |
| 2013 | $2.58 |
| 2012 | $2.22 |
| 2011 | $2.18 |
| 2010 | $1.86 |
| 2009 | $1.45 |
| 2008 | $1.05 |
| 2007 | $1.54 |
| 2006 | $1.53 |
| 2005 | $1.01 |
| 2004 | $1.35 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2014 (estimate) | $2.12 |
| 2013 | $2.23 |
| 2012 | $1.96 |
| 2011 | $1.76 |
| 2010 | $1.52 |
| 2009 | $1.34 |
Dividend History
Conclusion:
Mattel Inc. achieves the rare feat of passing all of the requirements of both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor, so neither investor type has any initial concerns with the company.  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.  From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.52 in 2010 to an estimated $2.12 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.04% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.
Be sure to check out previous ModernGraham valuations of Mattel Inc. (MAT)Â for a better perspective!
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 Mattel Inc. (MAT)?  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 Mattel Inc. (MAT) 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.
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