Dow Chemical Company Analysis – October 2015 Update $DOW

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 10 Most Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor – September 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 stock analysis showing a specific look at how Dow Chemical Company (DOW) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.

Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) is as an integrated science and technology company. The Company is a diversified, manufacturer and supplier of products used primarily as raw materials in the manufacture of customer products and services across the world. The Company operates in five segments: Agricultural Sciences, Consumer Solutions, Infrastructure Solutions, Performance Materials & Chemicals and Performance Plastics. The Company serves various industries, such as appliance, automotive, agricultural, building and construction, chemical processing, electronics, furniture, housewares, oil and gas, packaging, paints, coatings and adhesives, personal care, pharmaceutical, processed foods, pulp and paper, textile and carpet, utilities and water treatment.

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Premium members can view a full ModernGraham valuation of the company and have access to download a PDF version of the valuation for easy reference. Here is a free sample valuation pdf, and here is a post detailing what can be found within each individual company’s valuation.

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Downloadable PDF version of this valuation:

ModernGraham Valuation of DOW – October 2015

Stage 1: Is this company suitable for the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor?

What kind of Intelligent Investor are you?

Defensive Investor; must pass 6 out of the following 7 tests.
1. Adequate Size of the Enterprise Market Cap > $2Bil $54,464,981,612 Pass
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition Current Ratio > 2 1.94 Fail
3. Earnings Stability Positive EPS for 10 years prior Pass
4. Dividend Record Dividend Payments for 10 years prior Pass
5. Earnings Growth Increase of 33% in EPS in past 10 years using 3 year averages at beginning and end 32.30% Fail
6. Moderate PEmg Ratio PEmg < 20 16.64 Pass
7. Moderate Price to Assets PB Ratio < 2.5 OR PB*PEmg < 50 2.49 Pass
Score
Enterprising Investor; must pass 4 out of the following 5 tests, or be suitable for the Defensive Investor.
1. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition Current Ratio > 1.5 1.94 Pass
2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition Debt to NCA < 1.1 1.49 Fail
3. Earnings Stability Positive EPS for 5 years prior Pass
4. Dividend Record Currently Pays Dividend Pass
5. Earnings Growth EPSmg greater than 5 years ago Pass

Stage 2: Determination of Intrinsic Value

DOW value Chart October 2015

EPSmg $2.82
MG Growth Estimate 13.47%
MG Value $100.13
Opinion Undervalued
MG Value based on 3% Growth $40.96
MG Value based on 0% Growth $24.01
Market Implied Growth Rate 4.07%
Current Price $47.00
% of Intrinsic Value 46.94%

Dow Chemical Company qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio and the insufficient earnings growth over the last ten years.  The Enterprising Investor is only concerned by the level of debt relative to the net current assets.  As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.49 in 2011 to an estimated $2.82 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 4.07% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years.  As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above 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 Dow Chemical Company (DOW)?  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.

Stage 3: Information for Further Research

DOW Charts October 2015

Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) -$16.77
Graham Number $35.35
PEmg 16.64
Current Ratio 1.94
PB Ratio 2.49
Dividend Yield 3.47%
Number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth 5

 

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Most Recent Balance Sheet Figures

Total Current Assets $24,764,000,000
Total Current Liabilities $12,765,000,000
Long-Term Debt $17,833,000,000
Total Assets $69,334,000,000
Intangible Assets $16,329,000,000
Total Liabilities $45,722,000,000
Shares Outstanding (Diluted Average) 1,249,400,000

Earnings Per Share History

Next Fiscal Year Estimate $3.28
Dec14 $2.87
Dec13 $3.68
Dec12 $0.70
Dec11 $2.05
Dec10 $1.72
Dec09 $0.32
Dec08 $0.62
Dec07 $2.99
Dec06 $3.82
Dec05 $4.62
Dec04 $2.93
Dec03 $1.87
Dec02 -$0.37
Dec01 -$0.43
Dec00 $2.22
Dec99 $1.97
Dec98 $1.92
Dec97 $2.57
Dec96 $2.53
Dec95 $2.57

Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham History

Next Fiscal Year Estimate $2.82
Dec14 $2.47
Dec13 $2.07
Dec12 $1.21
Dec11 $1.49
Dec10 $1.44
Dec09 $1.69
Dec08 $2.58
Dec07 $3.45
Dec06 $3.32
Dec05 $2.62
Dec04 $1.49
Dec03 $0.87
Dec02 $0.60
Dec01 $1.27
Dec00 $2.16
Dec99 $2.19

Recommended Reading:

Other ModernGraham posts about the company

The Best Companies of the Chemicals Industry – August 2015
10 Undervalued Companies for the Enterprising Dividend Stock Investor – August 2015
The 20 Best Stocks For Value Investors This Week – 7/25/15
Dow Chemical Analysis – July 2015 Update $DOW
5 Highest Dividend Yields Among Undervalued Companies for the Enterprising Investor – May 2015

Other ModernGraham posts about related companies

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation Analysis – September 2015 Update $SIAL
FMC Corporation Analysis – September 2015 Update $FMC
Eastman Chemical Company Analysis – September 2015 Update $EMN
Ashland Inc. Analysis – Initial Coverage $ASH
The Best Companies of the Chemicals Industry – August 2015
LyondellBasell Industries Analysis – August 2015 Update $LYB
Albemarle Corporation Analysis – Initial Coverage $ALB
E I Du Pont de Nemours & Company Analysis – August 2015 Update $DD
Dow Chemical Analysis – July 2015 Update $DOW
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation Analysis – June 2015 Update $SIAL

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.  See my current holdings here.  This article is not investment advice; any reader should speak to a registered investment adviser prior to making any investment decisions.  ModernGraham is not affiliated with the company in any manner.  Please be sure to review our detailed disclaimer.

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