We evaluated 33 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 33 companies, only 15 were found to be undervalued or fairly valued and suitable for either Defensive or Enterprising Investors.

Here’s a summary of those 15 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:

Ace Limited (ACE)

Ace Limited qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor.  The company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, an 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 the next stage of the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $6.42 in 2011 to an estimated $8.84 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.96% 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)
 

 

Ann Inc. (ANN)

Ann Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, the insufficient earnings growth or stability over the last ten years, the lack of dividends, and the high PEmg and PB ratios.  The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned with the lack of dividends.  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 $0.14 in 2012 to an estimated $1.81 for 2016.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 8.33% 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)
 

 

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY)

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, lack of dividends, and the high PB ratio.  The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned with the lack of dividends.  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 $2.99 in 2012 to an estimated $4.91 for 2016.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 2.1% 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)
 

 

Helmerich & Payne Inc. (HP)

Helmerich & Payne Inc. qualifies for the more conservative Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor.  The company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with the valuation.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $3.24 in 2011 to an estimated $4.77 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.85% 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)
 

 

LyondellBasell Industries (LYB)

LyondellBasell Industries qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the short history post bankruptcy, and the high PB ratio.  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 undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) post bankruptcy to an estimated $7.50 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.28% 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)
 

 

SanDisk Corporation (SNDK)

SanDisk 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 growth or stability over the last ten years, and the inconsistent dividend history.  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 $2.04 in 2011 to an estimated $3.20 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.61% 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)
 

 

Travelers Companies (TRV)

Travelers Companies qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor.  The company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, an 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 the next stage of the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $5.25 in 2011 to an estimated $8.88 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.81% 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)
 

 

Weyerhaeuser Company (WY)

Weyerhaeuser Company qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but is not suitable for the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings growth or stability over the last ten years, and the high PEmg and PB ratios.  The Enterprising Investor is only initially concerned by 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 undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.89 in 2011 to an estimated $1.49 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 6.24% 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.  (See the full valuation)
 

 

Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO)

Yahoo! Inc. qualifies for the more conservative Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor.  Both investor types are only concerned by the lack of dividend payments. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.67 in 2011 to an estimated $2.92 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.96% 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)
 

 

The Good

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

Boeing Company (BA)

Boeing Company qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but is not suitable for 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 concerned by the low current ratio.  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 $4.18 in 2011 to an estimated $6.72 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 6.54% 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.  (See the full valuation)
 

 

Flowserve Corporation (FLS)

Flowserve Corporation qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the inconsistent dividend history, and the high PB ratio.  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 $2.41 in 2011 to an estimated $3.03 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 3.52% 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.  (See the full valuation)
 

 

Intel Corporation (INTC)

Intel Corporation qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor.  The Defensive Investor is only concerned with the low current ratio.  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 fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.69 in 2011 to an estimated $2.10 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 2.66% 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.  (See the full valuation)
 

 

Kohl’s Corporation (KSS)

Kohl’s Corporation qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the low current ratio, the short dividend history, and the insufficient earnings growth over the last ten years.  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 $3.65 in 2012 to an estimated $4.17 for 2016.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 2.45% 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.  (See the full valuation)
 

 

Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN)

Mead Johnson Nutrition qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the short history as a stand-alone company as well as 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 fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.28 in 2011 to an estimated $3.37 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 7.79% 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.  (See the full valuation)
 

 

Progressive Corporation (PGR)

Progressive Corporation 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 the next stage of the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be fairly valued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.37 in 2011 to an estimated $1.91 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth supports the market’s implied estimate of 3.96% 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.  (See the full valuation)