Given the rally in stocks this year, value analysis is the best approach to identify great bargains. Though price to earnings (P/E) and price to sales (P/S) valuation tools are more commonly used for stock selection, the price-to-book ratio (P/B ratio) is also a fairly handy tool for identifying high-growth companies selling at low prices.
The price-to-book ratio or P/B ratio is the ratio of the market price of a stock over the book value of its equity. P/B ratio is calculated by dividing the current closing price of the stock by the latest quarter’s book value per share.
P/B ratio = market capitalization/book value of equity.
What’s Book Value?
There are several ways by which book value can be defined. Book value is the total value that would be left over, according to the company’s balance sheet, if it goes bankrupt immediately. In other words, this is what shareholders would theoretically receive if a company liquidates all its assets after paying off all its liabilities.
It is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from the total assets of a company. In most cases, this equates to common stockholders’ equity on the balance sheet. However, depending on the company’s balance sheet, intangible assets should also be subtracted from total assets to determine book value.
Understanding P/B Ratio
By comparing the book value of equity to its market price, we get an idea of whether a company is under-or overpriced. However, like P/E or P/S ratio, it is always better to compare P/B ratios within industries.
A P/B ratio of less than one means that the stock is trading at less than its book value, or the stock is undervalued and therefore a good buy. Conversely, a stock with a ratio greater than one can be interpreted as being overvalued or relatively expensive.
For example, a stock with a P/B ratio of 2 means that we pay $2 for every $1 of book value. Thus, the higher the P/B, the more expensive the stock.
But there is a caveat. A P/B ratio less than one can also mean that the company is earning weak or even negative returns on its assets or that the assets are overstated, in which case the stock should be shunned because it may be destroying shareholder value. Conversely, the stock’s price may be significantly high — thereby pushing the P/B ratio to more than one — in the likely case that it has become a takeover target, a good enough reason to own the stock.
Moreover, the P/B ratio isn’t without limitations. It is useful for businesses — like finance, investments, insurance, and banking or manufacturing companies — with many liquid/tangible assets on the books. However, it can be misleading for firms with significant R&D expenditure, high debt, service companies, or those with negative earnings.
In any case, the ratio is not particularly relevant as a standalone number. One should analyze other ratios like P/E, P/S, and debt to equity before arriving at a reasonable investment decision.
Screening Parameters
Price to Book (common Equity) less than X-Industry Median:
A lower P/B compared with the industry average implies that there is enough room for the stock to gain.
Price to Sales less than X-Industry Median:
The P/S ratio determines how much the market values every dollar of the company’s sales/revenues — a lower ratio than the industry makes the stock attractive.
Price to Earnings using F(1) estimate less than X-Industry Median:
The P/E ratio (F1) values a company based on its current share price relative to its estimated earnings per share — a lower ratio than the industry is considered better.
PEG less than 1:
PEG links the P/E ratio to the future growth rate of the company. The PEG ratio portrays a more complete picture than the P/E ratio. A value of less than 1 indicates that the stock is undervalued and investors need to pay less for a stock that has bright earnings growth prospects.
Current Price greater than or equal to $5:
They must all be trading at a minimum of $5 or higher.
Average 20-Day Volume greater than or equal to 100,000:
A substantial trading volume ensures that the stock is easily tradable.
Zacks Rank less than or equal to #2:
Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) stocks are known to outperform irrespective of the market environment.
Value Score
equal to A or B: Our research shows that stocks with a Value Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 offer the best opportunities in the value investing space.
Here are seven out of the 27 stocks that qualified the screening:
ASE Technology Holding
ASX
, a provider of semiconductor manufacturing services in assembly and testing, has a projected 3-5-yearEPS growth rate of 28.9%. It currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Value Score of A. You cansee
the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here
.
Harley-Davidson
HOG
is the parent entity of company groups doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). The company has a projected 3-5-year EPS growth rate of 46.3%. It currently has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Value Score of A.
Group 1 Automotive
GPI
, a leading automotive retailer, has a projected 3-5-year EPS growth rate of 11.4%. It currently has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Value Score of A.
ICL Group
ICL
, a manufacturer of specialty fertilizers and specialty phosphates, flame retardants and water treatment solutions, has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Value Score of B. The company has a projected 3-5-year EPS growth rate of 24.4%.
Conn’s
CONN
, a specialty retailer, has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Value Score of A. The company has a projected 3-5-year EPS growth rate of 23.0%.
Teck Resources Limited
TECK
, a diversified resource company committed to mining and mineral development, has a projected 3-5-year EPS growth rate of 32.8%. It currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Value Score of A.
Atlas Corp
ATCO
, an asset management company, has a projected 3-5-year EPS growth rate of 21.03%. It currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Value Score of A.
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.
Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.
Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at:
https://www.zacks.com/performance
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