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 – May 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 Total System Services Inc. (TSS) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Total System Services, Inc. (TSYS) is a global payment solutions provider that provides services to financial and nonfinancial institutions. The Company also provides processing services, acquiring solutions, related systems and integrated support services to merchant acquirers and merchants. In addition, it provides general purpose reloadable (GPR) prepaid and payroll cards, and alternative financial service solutions to the underbanked and other consumers. Its operating segments include North America Services, Merchant Services, NetSpend and International Services. Through the Company’s North America Services and International Services segments, TSYS processes information through its cardholder systems to financial and non-financial institutions. The Merchant Services segment includes electronic processing and other services provided to merchants and merchant acquirers. The NetSpend segment provides GPR prepaid debit and payroll cards and alternative financial service solutions.
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 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 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 = 4/5
- 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 FAIL
- 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 | $41.40 |
| MG Value | $41.23 |
| MG Opinion | Fairly Valued |
| Value Based on 3% Growth | $24.63 |
| Value Based on 0% Growth | $14.44 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 7.94% |
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$7.12 |
| PEmg | 24.37 |
| Current Ratio | 2.21 |
| PB Ratio | 4.46 |
Balance Sheet – March 2015
| Current Assets | $761,000,000 |
| Current Liabilities | $344,000,000 |
| Total Debt | $1,396,000,000 |
| Total Assets | $3,777,000,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $2,533,000,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $2,070,000,000 |
| Outstanding Shares | 183,800,000 |
Earnings Per Share
| 2015 (estimate) | $2.20 |
| 2014 | $1.72 |
| 2013 | $1.29 |
| 2012 | $1.29 |
| 2011 | $1.15 |
| 2010 | $0.99 |
| 2009 | $1.09 |
| 2008 | $1.26 |
| 2007 | $1.20 |
| 2006 | $1.26 |
| 2005 | $0.99 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham
| 2015 (estimate) | $1.70 |
| 2014 | $1.39 |
| 2013 | $1.21 |
| 2012 | $1.16 |
| 2011 | $1.11 |
| 2010 | $1.12 |
Dividend History
Conclusion:
Total System Services Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not for the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned by the high PEmg and PB ratios, while the Enterprising Investor is only concerned by the high level of debt relative to the net 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 fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.11 in 2011 to an estimated $1.70 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 7.94% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value falling within a margin of safety relative to the price.
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 Total System Services Inc. (TSS)?  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: Â The author did not hold a position in any company mentioned in this article at the time of publication and had no intention of changing that position within the next 72 hours. Â 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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