Dominion Resources Inc. Annual Valuation – 2015 $D
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 Most Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor – January 2015. 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 Dominion Resources Inc. (D) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Dominion Resources, Inc. (Dominion) is a producer and transporter of energy. The Company is a provider of electricity, natural gas and related services to customers primarily in the eastern region of the United States. Dominion’s portfolio of assets includes approximately 23,600 megawatts of generating capacity, 6,400 miles of electric transmission lines, 57, 000 miles of electric distribution lines, 10,900 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 21,900 miles of gas distribution pipeline, exclusive of service lines. It also operates one of the underground natural gas storage systems, with approximately 947 billion cubic feet of storage capacity, and serves nearly six million utility and retail energy customers in 15 states. It operates in three segments: Dominion Virginia Power (DVP), Dominion Generation and Dominion Energy. Dominion’s operations are conducted through various subsidiaries, including Virginia Electric and Power Company (Virginia Power).
Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 3/7
- Adequate Size of Enterprise – market capitalization of at least $2 billion -Â 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 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 FAIL
- Moderate PEmg ratio – PEmg is less than 20 -Â FAIL
- 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 = 2/5
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – current ratio greater than 1.5 -Â FAIL
- Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt to Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 -Â FAIL
- Earnings Stability – positive earnings per share for at least 5 years -Â PASS
- Dividend Record – currently pays a dividend -Â PASS
- Earnings growth – EPSmg greater than 5 years ago -Â FAIL
Valuation Summary
Key Data:
| Recent Price | $75.23 |
| MG Value | $6.48 |
| MG Opinion | Overvalued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $39.75 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $23.30 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 9.47% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$60.31 |
| PEmg | 27.44 |
| Current Ratio | 0.72 |
| PB Ratio | 3.80 |
Balance Sheet – September 2014
| Current Assets | $5,446,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $7,579,000,000 |
| Total Debt | $20,666,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $52,279,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $3,044,000,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $40,706,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 584,600,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2014 (estimate) | $3.63 |
| 2013 | $2.93 |
| 2012 | $0.53 |
| 2011 | $2.45 |
| 2010 | $4.76 |
| 2009 | $2.17 |
| 2008 | $3.16 |
| 2007 | $3.88 |
| 2006 | $1.97 |
| 2005 | $1.50 |
| 2004 | $1.89 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2014 (estimate) | $2.74 |
| 2013 | $2.39 |
| 2012 | $2.28 |
| 2011 | $3.20 |
| 2010 | $3.45 |
| 2009 | $2.70 |
Dividend History
Conclusion:
Dominion Resources Inc. is not suitable for the Enterprising Investor or for the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned by the low current ratio, insufficient earnings growth over the last ten years, as well as the high PEmg and PB ratios. The Enterprising Investor is concerned by the level of debt relative to the current assets along with the lack of earnings growth over the last five years.  As a result, value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should explore other opportunities at this time.  From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be overvalued after seeing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) drop from $3.45 in 2010 to only an estimated $2.74 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth does not support the market’s implied estimate of 9.47% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value below the price.
Be sure to check out previous ModernGraham valuations of Dominion Resources Inc. (D)Â for greater 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 Dominion Resources Inc. (D)?  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 Dominion Resources Inc. (D) 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.
