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 Stocks for Using A Benjamin Graham Value Investing Strategy – December 2016. 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 Arthur J Gallagher & Co (AJG) fares in the ModernGraham valuation model.
Company Profile (obtained from Google Finance): Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is engaged in providing insurance brokerage and consulting services and third-party claims settlement and administration services to both domestic and international entities. The Company operates through three segments: brokerage, risk management and corporate. The Company provides insurance, brokerage and risk management services to a range of commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental organizations through its operating segments. The Company’s Brokerage segment is engaged in the negotiation and placement of insurance for its clients. The Company’s Risk Management segment is engaged in claims management, information management, risk control consulting services and appraisals in the property/casualty market. The Company’s brokers, agents and administrators act as intermediaries between insurers and their customers.
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Downloadable PDF version of this valuation:
ModernGraham Valuation of AJG – December 2016
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 | $9,080,099,239 | Pass | |
| 2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition | Current Ratio > 2 | 0.96 | 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 | 82.15% | Pass | |
| 6. Moderate PEmg Ratio | PEmg < 20 | 24.03 | Fail | |
| 7. Moderate Price to Assets | PB Ratio < 2.5 OR PB*PEmg < 50 | 2.47 | Pass | |
| 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 | 0.96 | Fail | |
| 2. Sufficiently Strong Financial Condition | Debt to NCA < 1.1 | -11.04 | 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
| EPSmg | $2.12 |
| MG Growth Estimate | 7.30% |
| MG Value | $49.07 |
| Opinion | Fairly Valued |
| MG Grade | D+ |
| MG Value based on 3% Growth | $30.80 |
| MG Value based on 0% Growth | $18.05 |
| Market Implied Growth Rate | 7.77% |
| Current Price | $51.05 |
| % of Intrinsic Value | 104.04% |
Arthur J Gallagher & Co does not satisfy the requirements of either the Enterprising Investor or the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, high PEmg ratio. The Enterprising Investor has concerns regarding the level of debt relative to the current assets. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach should explore other opportunities at this time or proceed cautiously with a speculative attitude.
As for a valuation, the company appears to be Fairly Valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.43 in 2012 to an estimated $2.12 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 7.77% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on the Benjamin Graham value investing formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value within a margin of safety relative to the price.
At the time of valuation, further research into Arthur J Gallagher & Co revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $33.45. The company pays a dividend of $1.51 per share, for a yield of 3%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 24.03, which was above the industry average of 16.56. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $-18.49.
Arthur J Gallagher & Co scores quite poorly in the ModernGraham grading system, with an overall grade of D+.
Stage 3: Information for Further Research
| Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) | -$18.49 |
| Graham Number | $33.45 |
| PEmg | 24.03 |
| Current Ratio | 0.96 |
| PB Ratio | 2.47 |
| Current Dividend | $1.51 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.96% |
| Number of Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth | 6 |
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Useful Links:
| ModernGraham tagged articles | Morningstar |
| Google Finance | MSN Money |
| Yahoo Finance | Seeking Alpha |
| GuruFocus | SEC Filings |
Most Recent Balance Sheet Figures
| Balance Sheet Information | 9/1/2016 |
| Total Current Assets | $4,213,700,000 |
| Total Current Liabilities | $4,398,900,000 |
| Long-Term Debt | $2,044,600,000 |
| Total Assets | $11,200,300,000 |
| Intangible Assets | $5,392,500,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $7,513,800,000 |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted Average) | 178,500,000 |
Earnings Per Share History
| Next Fiscal Year Estimate | $2.40 |
| Dec2015 | $2.06 |
| Dec2014 | $1.97 |
| Dec2013 | $2.06 |
| Dec2012 | $1.59 |
| Dec2011 | $1.28 |
| Dec2010 | $1.66 |
| Dec2009 | $1.28 |
| Dec2008 | $0.82 |
| Dec2007 | $1.43 |
| Dec2006 | $1.31 |
| Dec2005 | $0.32 |
| Dec2004 | $1.99 |
| Dec2003 | $1.57 |
| Dec2002 | $1.41 |
| Dec2001 | $1.39 |
| Dec2000 | $1.04 |
| Dec1999 | $0.87 |
| Dec1998 | $0.77 |
| Dec1997 | $0.80 |
| Dec1996 | $0.64 |
Earnings Per Share – ModernGraham History
| Next Fiscal Year Estimate | $2.12 |
| Dec2015 | $1.92 |
| Dec2014 | $1.81 |
| Dec2013 | $1.67 |
| Dec2012 | $1.43 |
| Dec2011 | $1.33 |
| Dec2010 | $1.34 |
| Dec2009 | $1.13 |
| Dec2008 | $1.09 |
| Dec2007 | $1.26 |
| Dec2006 | $1.22 |
| Dec2005 | $1.23 |
| Dec2004 | $1.62 |
| Dec2003 | $1.37 |
| Dec2002 | $1.22 |
| Dec2001 | $1.07 |
| Dec2000 | $0.88 |
Recommended Reading:
Other ModernGraham posts about the company
Arthur J Gallagher & Company Analysis – Initial Coverage $AJG
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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