Value investors profit by investing in quality companies. Because their method relies on determining the worth of company’s stock, value investors don't pay attention to the external factors such as market volatility and daily price fluctuations. Their goal is to purchase shares determined to be undervalued.
Company 360 pulls together data for publicly traded companies that includes company profile (business info, industry, key executives and their pay), risk, price, dividends, income, cash flow, balance sheets, insider, statistics and financials. Valuation process uses this data for formulas and key factors analysis.
Value investors look for:
- Below average price to book ratios
- Lower than average price to earnings (P/E) ratios
- Lower total debt to equity ratio
- Positive earnings
Valuation formulas applied:
*P/E Ratio Formula:
The most popular method used to estimate the intrinsic value of a stock is using the P/E ratio formula. Trailing P/E ratio is calculated by dividing the current price of stock by the total of its 12-months trailing earnings (trailing EPS). To calculate the current intrinsic value of stock, multiply trailing P/E ratio by the projected earnings per share (forward EPS).
*Benjamin Graham Formula:
Professor, investor and economist Benjamin Graham is considered to be “father of value investing”. His books influenced many, including his most famous student Warren Buffett. Graham developed a model that calculates the intrinsic value of a stock based on a set of fundamental principles.
Interpreting results:
If intrinsic value of stock is higher than current price, then stock is undervalued and can be considered a BUY candidate. However, no single formula should be used exclusively in determining stock value. Value investor looks at the big picture that includes market conditions, management changes, news, competition and technology to make a decision.