CenterPoint Energy Inc. Annual Valuation – 2015 $CNP
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 – March 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 CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Waters Corporation is an analytical instrument manufacturer that primarily designs, manufactures, sells and services, through its Waters Division, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC and together with HPLC, referred to as LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products and post-warranty service plans. The Company operates in two segments: Waters Division and TA Division. Through its TA Division (TA), the Company primarily designs, manufactures, sells and services thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instruments. The Company’s products are used by pharmaceutical, life science, biochemical, industrial, nutritional safety, environmental, academic and governmental customers working in research and development, quality assurance and other laboratory applications.
Defensive Investor – must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 5/7
- 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 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 = 3/5
- 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 PASS
Valuation Summary
Key Data:
| Recent Price | $20.54 |
| MG Value | $19.50 |
| MG Opinion | Fairly Valued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $19.62 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $11.50 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 3.34% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$35.37 |
| PEmg | 15.18 |
| Current Ratio | 0.94 |
| PB Ratio | 1.96 |
Balance Sheet – December 2014
| Current Assets | $3,268,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $3,475,000,000 |
| Total Debt | $8,009,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $23,200,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $840,000,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $18,652,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 435,000,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2014 | $1.42 |
| 2013 | $0.72 |
| 2012 | $0.97 |
| 2011 | $3.17 |
| 2010 | $1.07 |
| 2009 | $1.01 |
| 2008 | $1.30 |
| 2007 | $1.17 |
| 2006 | $1.33 |
| 2005 | $0.75 |
| 2004 | -$2.94 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2014 | $1.35 |
| 2013 | $1.34 |
| 2012 | $1.60 |
| 2011 | $1.80 |
| 2010 | $1.13 |
| 2009 | $1.14 |
Dividend History
Conclusion:
CenterPoint Energy Inc. does not qualify for either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio along with the insufficient earnings growth over the last ten years, while the Enterprising Investor takes issue with the level of debt relative to the current assets.  As a result, all 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 fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.13 in 2010 to $1.35 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 3.34% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value within a margin of safety relative to the price.
Be sure to check out previous ModernGraham valuations of CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP)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 CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP)?  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 CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP) 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.
