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 – October 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 Albemarle Corporation (ALB) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle) is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals across a range of end markets, including the petroleum refining, consumer electronics, plastics/packaging, construction, automotive, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services markets. The Company operates through two segments: Performance Chemicals and Catalyst Solutions. As of December 31, 2014, the Performance Chemicals segment includes the Fire Safety Solutions, Specialty Chemicals and Fine Chemistry Services product categories. As of December 31, 2014, the Catalyst Solutions segment includes the Refinery Catalyst Solutions and Performance Catalyst Solutions product categories.
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Downloadable PDF version of this valuation:
ModernGraham Valuation of ALB – November 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 | $5,486,487,256 | Pass | |
| 2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition | Current Ratio > 2 | 1.30 | 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 | 48.48% | Pass | |
| 6. Moderate PEmg Ratio | PEmg < 20 | 16.74 | Pass | |
| 7. Moderate Price to Assets | PB Ratio < 2.5 OR PB*PEmg < 50 | 1.74 | 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 | 1.30 | Fail | |
| 2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition | Debt to NCA < 1.1 | 8.93 | 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 | Fail | ||
Stage 2: Determination of Intrinsic Value
| EPSmg | $2.91 |
| MG Growth Estimate | -1.20% |
| MG Value | $17.76 |
| Opinion | Overvalued |
| MG Value based on 3% Growth | $42.22 |
| MG Value based on 0% Growth | $24.75 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 4.12% |
| Current Price | $48.74 |
| % of Intrinsic Value | 274.43% |
Albemarle Corporation qualifies for either the Enterprising Investor or the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned by the low current ratio, while the Enterprising Investor is satisfied because the company meets the more stringent Defensive Investor requirements. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be overvalued after seeing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) decline from $3.17 in 2011 to an estimated $2.91 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth does not support the market’s implied estimate of 4.12% 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 below 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 Albemarle Corporation (ALB)?  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
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$42.74 |
| Graham Number | $37.25 |
| PEmg | 16.74 |
| Current Ratio | 1.30 |
| PB Ratio | 1.74 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.35% |
| Number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth | 20 |
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| ModernGraham tagged articles | Morningstar |
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Most Recent Balance Sheet Figures
| Total Current Assets | $1,720,915,000 |
| Total Current Liabilities | $1,322,548,000 |
| Long-Term Debt | $3,558,964,000 |
| Total Assets | $9,675,064,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $4,708,079,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $6,530,575,000 |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted Average) | 112,544,000 |
Earnings Per Share History
| Next Fiscal Year Estimate | $2.20 |
| Dec14 | $1.69 |
| Dec13 | $4.90 |
| Dec12 | $3.47 |
| Dec11 | $4.28 |
| Dec10 | $3.43 |
| Dec09 | $1.94 |
| Dec08 | $2.09 |
| Dec07 | $2.36 |
| Dec06 | $1.47 |
| Dec05 | $1.20 |
| Dec04 | $0.65 |
| Dec03 | $0.86 |
| Dec02 | $0.85 |
| Dec01 | $0.74 |
| Dec00 | $1.09 |
| Dec99 | $0.94 |
| Dec98 | $0.82 |
| Dec97 | $0.72 |
| Dec96 | $1.33 |
| Dec95 | $0.59 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham History
| Next Fiscal Year Estimate | $2.91 |
| Dec14 | $3.36 |
| Dec13 | $4.00 |
| Dec12 | $3.38 |
| Dec11 | $3.17 |
| Dec10 | $2.49 |
| Dec09 | $1.95 |
| Dec08 | $1.82 |
| Dec07 | $1.56 |
| Dec06 | $1.11 |
| Dec05 | $0.90 |
| Dec04 | $0.78 |
| Dec03 | $0.87 |
| Dec02 | $0.87 |
| Dec01 | $0.88 |
| Dec00 | $0.96 |
| Dec99 | $0.89 |
Recommended Reading:
Other ModernGraham posts about the company
Albemarle Corporation Analysis – Initial Coverage $ALB
Other ModernGraham posts about related companies
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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