We evaluated 25 different companies this week to determine whether they are suitable for Defensive Investors, those unwilling to do substantial research, or Enterprising Investors, those who are willing to do such research. We also put each company through the ModernGraham valuation model based on Benjamin Graham’s value investing formulas in order to determine an intrinsic value for each. Out of those 25 companies, only 12 were found to be undervalued or fairly valued and suitable for either Defensive or Enterprising Investors.Here’s a summary of those 12 best stocks for value investors this week.

The Elite

The following companies were found to be suitable for either the Defensive Investor or Enterprising Investor and undervalued:

AGCO Corporation (AGCO)

AGCO Corporation qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, insufficient earnings stability over the last ten years, and the inconsistent dividend record.  The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.58 in 2011 to an estimated $4.46 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.14% 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. 

BorgWarner Inc. (BWA)

BorgWarner Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability over the last ten years as well as the inconsistent dividend record.  The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.24 in 2011 to an estimated $2.67 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.77% 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.  

Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO)

Cisco Systems Inc. qualifies for boththe Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is only concerned with the short dividend record.  The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.30 in 2011 to an estimated $1.83 for 2016.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.5% 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.  

Discover Financial Services Inc. (DFS)

Discover Financial Services Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the short dividend record.  The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.49 in 2011 to an estimated $4.89 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.53% 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.  

Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI)

Motorola Solutions Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, the inconsistent dividend record as well as the high PB ratio.  The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from a loss of $0.15 in 2011 to an estimated gain of $3.87 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 4.98% 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.  

Robert Half International Inc. (RHI)

Robert Half International Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the high PEmg and PB ratios.  The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.84 in 2011 to an estimated $2.13 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 8.16% 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.

Snap-on Inc. (SNA)

Snap-on Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the high PEmg and PB ratios.  The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.63 in 2011 to an estimated $6.75 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 8.24% 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.

U. S. Bancorp (USB)

U.S. Bancorp qualifies for both the Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company’s strong financial position.As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company. As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.85 in 2011 to an estimated $2.99 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 2.86% 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.

The Good

The following companies were found to be suitable for the Defensive Investor or Enterprising Investor and Fairly Valued:

American Financial Group Inc. (AFG)

American Financial Group Inc. qualifies for both the Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company’s strong financial position.As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.59 in 2011 to an estimated $4.72 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 3.26% 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 within a margin of safety relative to the price.

Ametek Inc. (AME) 

Ametek Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio as well as the high PEmg and PB ratios.  The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets.As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.21 in 2011 to an estimated $2.03 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 9.42% 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 within a margin of safety relative to the price.  

Cincinnati Financial Corp (CINF)

Cincinnati Financial qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings growth over the last ten years.  The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns.As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.16 in 2011 to an estimated $3.12 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 5.44% 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 within a margin of safety relative to the price.  

Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI)

Hanesbrands Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the short dividend history as well as the high PEmg and PB ratios.  The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets.As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.46 in 2011 to an estimated $0.93 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 13.5% 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 within a margin of safety relative to the price.