Bemis Company Analysis – June 2015 Update $BMS

A lot of investors and analysts considering Bemis Company (BMS) may be focused primarily on qualitative speculation about the company’s prospects. For example, the company recently reported increased earnings over the prior quarter, and CEO Bill Austen expressed that he is pleased with the company’s performance. Both of these tidbits from the latest earnings call may lead some investors to be excited about the company, but it is critical when analyzing Bemis to consider the company’s intrinsic value in relation to its price.

In fact, Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing, taught that the most important aspect to consider is whether a company is trading at a discount relative to its intrinsic value. It is through a thorough fundamental analysis that the investor is able to make a determination about a potential investment’s merits. Here’s a look at how the company fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.

The model is inspired by the teachings of Benjamin Graham and considers numerous metrics intended to help the investor reduce risk levels. The first part of the analysis is to determine whether the company is suitable for the very conservative Defensive Investor or the less conservative Enterprising Investor who is willing to spend a greater amount of time conducting further research.

In addition, Graham strongly suggested that investors avoid speculation in order to remove the subjective elements of emotion. This is best achieved by utilizing a systematic approach to analysis that will provide investors with a sense of how a specific company compares to another. By using the ModernGraham method, one can review a company’s historical accomplishments and determine an intrinsic value that can be compared across industries.

BMS data by YCharts

[level-free]
To read the rest of this valuation, you must be logged in as a premium member. If you are not a premium member, please consider becoming one.
[/level-free]
[level-mg-stocks-screens-subscriber]

Defensive Investor – Must pass at least 6 of the following 7 tests: Score = 4/7

1. Adequate Size of Enterprise – Market capitalization of at least $2 billion – PASS
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition – Current ratio greater than 2 – PASS
3. Earnings Stability – Positive earnings per share for at least 10 straight years – PASS
4. Dividend Record – Has paid a dividend for at least 10 straight years – PASS
5. Earnings Growth – Earnings per share has increased by at least 1/3 over the last 10 years, using 3-year averages at the beginning and end of the period – FAIL
6. Moderate PEmg (price over normalized earnings) Ratio – PEmg is less than 20 – FAIL
7. Moderate Price-to-Assets – PB ratio is less than 2.5 or PB x PEmg is less than 50 – FAIL

Enterprising Investor – Must pass at least 4 of the following 5 tests or be suitable for a Defensive Investor: Score = 4/5

1. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 1 – Current ratio greater than 1.5 – PASS
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition, Part 2 – Debt-to-Net Current Assets ratio less than 1.1 – FAIL
3. Earnings Stability – Positive earnings per share for at least 5 years – PASS
4. Dividend Record – Currently pays a dividend – PASS
5. Earnings Growth – EPSmg greater than that 5 years ago – PASS

Valuation Summary

Key Data

Recent Price	$45.83
MG Value	$33.51
MG Opinion	Overvalued
Value Based on 3% Growth	$30.38
Value Based on 0% Growth	$17.81
Market Implied Growth Rate	6.69%
NCAV	-$9.53
PEmg	21.87
Current Ratio	2.55
PB Ratio	3.41

Balance Sheet – March 2015

Current Assets	$1,300,000,000
Current Liabilities	$509,000,000
Total Debt	$1,357,000,000
Total Assets	$3,571,000,000
Intangible Assets	$1,095,000,000
Total Liabilities	$2,242,000,000
Outstanding Shares	98,800,000

Earnings Per Share

2015 (estimate)	$2.54
2014	$1.89
2013	$2.04
2012	$1.66
2011	$1.73
2010	$1.85
2009	$1.38
2008	$1.61
2007	$1.74
2006	$1.65
2005	$1.51

Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham

2015 (estimate)	$2.10
2014	$1.86
2013	$1.81
2012	$1.68
2011	$1.68
2010	$1.65

Dividend History

BMS Dividend data by YCharts

Competitive Comparison

Bemis is not very attractive compared to some of its competitors. For example, a ModernGraham valuation of MeadWestvaco (NYSE:MWV) indicates that company is suitable for Enterprising Investors and is currently undervalued. Another competitor, International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) is also undervalued and suitable for the Enterprising Investor under its most recent ModernGraham valuation.

Conclusion

Bemis passes the initial requirements of the Enterprising Investor but not of the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings growth over the last ten years and the high PEmg and PB ratios. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned by the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all 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 seen its EPSmg (normalized earnings) rise from $1.68 in 2011 to only an estimated $2.10 for 2015. This level of earnings growth does not support the market’s implied estimate for 6.69% annual growth over the next 7-10 years.

In fact, the recent earnings growth has averaged around 5% per year, so the market is implying there will be a boost in earnings growth. However, the ModernGraham valuation model uses a much more conservative growth estimate and returns an estimate of intrinsic value falling below the market’s price, indicating that Bemis is overvalued at the present time.

Disclaimer:  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.  Logo taken from Wikipedia for the sole purpose of identifying the company; this article is not affiliated with the company in any manner.

[/level-mg-stocks-screens-subscriber]