5 Undervalued Defensive Stocks to Buy (TROW, CI, RHI, BBBY, EQR)

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There are a number of great companies in the market today.

By using the ModernGraham Valuation Model, I’ve selected the five undervalued companies reviewed by ModernGraham trading closest to their 52 week low. Each of these companies has been determined to be suitable for the Defensive Investor according to the ModernGraham approach.

Defensive Investors are defined as investors who are not able or willing to do substantial research into individual investments, and therefore need to select only the companies that present the least amount of risk.

Enterprising Investors, on the other hand, are able to do substantial research and can select companies that present a moderate (though still low) amount of risk.

Undervalued Defensive Stocks: Equity Residential (EQR)

Equity Residential (EQR) is a real estate investment trust.

Equity Residential qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned with the low current 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 feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.15 in 2012 to an estimated $5.79 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.39% 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 above the price.

At the time of valuation, further research into Equity Residential revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $90.07. The company pays a dividend of $2.11 per share, for a yield of 3.2%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 11.29, which was below the industry average of 34.03, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $-24.85.  (See the full valuation)

EQR charts August 2016

Undervalued Defensive Stocks: CIGNA Corporation (CI)

CIGNA Corporation (CI), together with its subsidiaries, is a health services company.

CIGNA Corporation qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. In fact, the company meets all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company’s strong financial position. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $4.84 in 2012 to an estimated $7.82 for 2016.

This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.87% 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.  (See the full valuation)

CI charts July 2016

Undervalued Defensive Stocks: T. Rowe Price Group Inc (TROW)

T. Rowe Price Group Inc (TROW) is a financial services holding company.

T. Rowe Price Group Inc qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned with the high PB ratio. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.75 in 2012 to an estimated $4.22 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.89% 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 above the price.

At the time of valuation, further research into T. Rowe Price Group Inc revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $41.69. The company pays a dividend of $2.12 per share, for a yield of 3.1%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 16.27, which was below the industry average of 19.87, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of -7 cents per share.  (See the full valuation)

TROW charts August 2016

Undervalued Defensive Stocks: Robert Half International Inc. (RHI)

Robert Half International Inc. (RHI) provides specialized staffing and risk consulting services.

Robert Half International Inc. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned with the high PB ratio. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1 in 2012 to an estimated $2.41 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.79% 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 above the price.

At the time of valuation, further research into Robert Half International Inc. revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $22.3. The company pays a dividend of 84 cents per share, for a yield of 2.2%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 16.07, which was below the industry average of 21.38, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry.

Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $5.37.  (See the full valuation)

RHI charts August 2016

Undervalued Defensive Stocks: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY)

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY) and subsidiaries is a retailer selling an assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings, which operates under the names Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Christmas Tree Shops andThat! or and That!, Harmon or Harmon Face Values, buybuy BABY and World Market, Cost Plus World Market or Cost Plus.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned with the poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the lack of dividends. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.63 in 2013 to an estimated $4.91 for 2017. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 0.18% 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.  (See the full valuation)

BBBY charts June 2016

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.

The post 5 Undervalued Companies for the Defensive Investor Near 52 Week Lows appeared first on ValueWalk.

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