10 Companies Benjamin Graham Would Invest In Today – May 2015

Out of the multitude of companies, which ones would legendary value investor Benjamin Graham buy today?  I’ve compiled ten great companies that fit the ModernGraham criteria, based on Benjamin Graham’s methods. The companies in this list pass the rigorous requirements of either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor and are undervalued by the market. To find more companies that meet these tests, be sure to check out the ModernGraham Valuation Index.

Aflac Inc. (AFL)

Aflac Inc. passes all of the initial requirements of both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor, which is a rare accomplishment indicative of the company’s strong financial position. As a result, all value investors should feel very comfortable proceeding to the next part of the analysis, which is a determination of the company’s intrinsic value.

When it comes to valuation, it is critical to consider the company’s earnings history. In this case, the company has grown its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.65 in 2010 to $6.07 for 2014. This is a strong level of demonstrated growth, which is well above the market’s implied estimate for earnings growth of only 0.78% over the next 7-10 years. In fact, the historical growth is around 13.23% per year, so the market is expecting a very significant drop in earnings growth. The ModernGraham valuation model reduces the historical growth to a more conservative figure, assuming that some slowdown will occur, but still returns an estimate of intrinsic value falling above the current price, indicating the company is undervalued at the present time.  (Read the full valuation on Seeking Alpha)

American International Group Inc. (AIG)

American International Group Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned by the inconsistent dividend history, as well as the lack of earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, while the company passes all of the Enterprising Investor’s requirements.  As a result, Enterprising 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 a loss of $109.06 in 2011 to an estimated gain of $5.14 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.56% 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.  (Read the full valuation)

 

Chevron Corporation (CVX)

Chevron passes the initial requirements of both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The only issue the Defensive Investor has with the company is the low current ratio. The Enterprising Investor is concerned with the level of debt relative to the current assets, but is willing to overlook those concerns since the company qualifies for the more conservative Defensive Investor. As a result, all value investors should feel very comfortable proceeding to the next part of the analysis, which is a determination of the company’s intrinsic value.

When it comes to that valuation, it is critical to consider the company’s earnings history. In this case, Chevron has grown its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $8.58 in 2010 to $11.43 for 2014. This level of demonstrated growth is well above the market’s implied estimate for earnings growth of only 0.42% annually over the next 7-10 years. In fact, the historical growth is around 6.63% per year, so the market is expecting a very significant drop in earnings growth. The ModernGraham valuation model reduces the historical growth to a more conservative figure, assuming that some slowdown will occur, but still returns an estimate of intrinsic value falling above the current price, indicating the company is undervalued at the present time.  (Read the full valuation on Seeking Alpha)

Discover Financial Services Inc. (DFS)

Discover Financial Services passes the initial requirements of the Enterprising Investor, but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor has an issue with the company’s inconsistent dividend history. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value investors should feel very comfortable proceeding to the next part of the analysis, which is a determination of the company’s intrinsic value.

When it comes to that valuation, it is critical to consider the company’s earnings history. In this case, it has grown its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.49 in 2011 to an estimated $4.88 for 2015. This is a very strong level of demonstrated growth, which is well above the market’s implied estimate for earnings growth of only 1.75% over the next 7-10 years. The ModernGraham valuation model returns an estimate of intrinsic value falling above the current price, indicating that Discover Financial Services is undervalued at the present time.  (Read the full valuation)

Hess Corporation (HES)

Hess Corporation is suitable for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor.  The Defensive Investor’s only concern is the low current ratio, so the Enterprising Investor is willing to overlook concerns with the level of debt relative to the current assets.  As a result, Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel very comfortable proceeding with further research and comparing the company to other opportunities.  From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $5.38 in 2010 to $8.75 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth is greater than the market’s implied estimate of only 0.14% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.  (Read the full valuation)

KLA-Tencor Corporation (KLAC)

KLA-Tencor Corporation is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the lack of earnings stability over the last ten years along with 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 very comfortable proceeding with further research and comparing the company to other opportunities.  As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.70 in 2011 to an estimated $3.39 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated growth is greater than the market’s implied estimate of 5.02% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.  (Read the full valuation)

Mattel Inc. (MAT)

Mattel Inc. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor after satisfying all of both investor types’ requirements, which is a rare accomplishment.  Neither investor type will have any initial concerns about the financial position of the company.  As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel very comfortable proceeding with further research and comparing the company to other opportunities.  From a valuation side of things, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.52 in 2010 to $2.03 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 2.7% 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.  (Read the full valuation)

PulteGroup Inc. (PHM)

PulteGroup Inc. performs well in the ModernGraham model, and is suitable for Enterprising Investors. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the inconsistent dividend history and the insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, while the Enterprising Investor is only concerned by the lack of earnings stability over the last five years. As a result, Enterprising Investors should feel very comfortable proceeding to the next part of the analysis, which is a determination of the company’s intrinsic value.

When it comes to valuation, it is critical to consider the company’s earnings history. In this case, the company has grown its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from a loss of $4.19 in 2010 to a gain of $2.05 for 2014. This is a strong level of demonstrated growth, which is well above the market’s implied estimate of 1.01% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. The ModernGraham valuation model reduces the historical growth to a more conservative figure, assuming that some slowdown will occur, but still estimates a growth figure much higher than the market’s implied rate. Therefore, the model returns an estimate of intrinsic value well above the current price, indicating the company is significantly undervalued at the present time.  (Read the full valuation on Seeking Alpha)

SLM Corporation (SLM)

SLM Corporation qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned by the lack of earnings stability over the last ten years and the inconsistent dividend record, while the company passes all of the Enterprising Investor’s requirements.  As a result, Enterprising 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 $0.15 in 2010 to $1.57 for 2014.  This level of demonstrated growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.35% annual earnings loss 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.  (Read the full valuation)

Wynn Resorts Ltd (WYNN)

Wynn Resorts does fairly well in the ModernGraham model, and is suitable for Enterprising Investors. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the inconsistent dividend history, unstable earnings over the last ten years, and the high PEmg ratio, while the Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, Enterprising Investors should feel very comfortable proceeding to the next part of the analysis, which is a determination of the company’s intrinsic value.

When it comes to valuation, it is critical to consider the company’s earnings history. In this case, the company has grown its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.59 in 2010 to $6.01 for 2014. This is a strong level of demonstrated growth, which is well above the market’s implied estimate of 7.16% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. Here, the historical growth in EPSmg over the last five years is around 55.67% per year, which is clearly unsustainable over the long term. The ModernGraham valuation model reduces the historical growth to a more conservative figure, assuming that some slowdown will occur. Therefore, the model returns an estimate of intrinsic value well above the current price, indicating the company is significantly undervalued at the present time.  (Read the full valuation on Seeking Alpha)

Disclaimer:  The author held a long position in Ford Motor Company (F) but did not hold a position in any of the other companies listed in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours.  Logos taken from the Wikipedia or the individual company’s website; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.