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Although it is important to observe companies’ valuation indicators, from price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio to discounted cash flows and growth metrics, it is even more important to place them in the current macroeconomic landscape.

Each of these stocks has an advantage that makes them appealing contestants as undervalued stocks, especially after the early August market pullback.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADS (Nasdaq: BABA)

As of July data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the world’s manufacturing hub tracked a 5.4% year-over-year increase in disposable income per capita. Likewise, retail sales of consumer goods increased by 2.7% alongside value added services by 4.8% YoY.

It is particularly noteworthy that China’s rural retail sales rebounded, at 4.6% vs urban at 2.4% YoY increase. This is all good news for Alibaba’s bottom line. China’s version of Amazon not only has the equivalent Alibaba Cloud but Taobao and Tmall as dominant e-commerce platforms.

Equally, Alibaba logistics network Cainiao gets to process more shipments for more fulfillment fees. On top of these lower layers is Alibaba’s Alipay as the fintech layer competing with Tencent’s WeChat, but still dominant at 54% market share in the mobile payments arena.

Alibaba’s forward P/E ratio is 9.6 vs trailing P/E of 20.79. This suggests bullish outlook as halved P/E would entail higher earnings per share growth if the stock’s price were to remain the same. In June’s Q2 earnings, Alibaba reported 4% YoY revenue growth to $33.47 billion. 

Although Alibaba’s net income decreased by 27% to $3.3 billion, Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (AIDS) showed impressive 32% YoY growth to $4 billion, alongside Cainia’s 16% and Cloud’s 6% revenue increases. This also showcases the company’s expanding international presence, in particular for cloud-based AI training against the heavyweights like AWS, Microsoft, Google and Oracle. 

At a present price of $79.69 per share, BABA stock is just over the 52-week average of $77.88 per share. According to Nasdaq’s forecasting data, the average BABA price target is $109.53, indicating a potential 37.4% upside. Interestingly, even the bottom outlook of $85 is above the present price level, making BABA as one of top undervalued stocks.

Nucor Corporation (Nasdaq: NUE)

As the major domestic steel producer, Nucor is exposed to future steel demand. Considering that Nucor is a critical supplier of steel products across all military branches, combined with heated Middle East tensions, it is fair to say that Nucor’s bottom line will be significantly increased.

Moreso, if former President Donald Trump gets a 2nd term, this would be another boost for Nucor. Having already imposed steel tariffs on China and other countries in his 1st term, Trump hinted at escalating tariffs in June’s podcast appearance.

Although Nucor’s net sales decreased 11% YoY to $16.21 billion in Q2 earnings, the company beat the quarter’s earnings per share estimate at 16% surprise. Nucor ended the quarter with $5.43 billion in cash and cash equivalents, which is a solid base to “expand into steel-adjacent downstream markets positions”.

The company’s forward P/E ratio is 15.11 vs trailing P/E of 10.83. Against the 52-week average of $167.67, NUE stock is currently priced at $148.12 per share. Nasdaq’s forecasting data puts the average NUE price target at $185.57, indicating a potential 25.3% upside. Nucor’s bottom price forecast of $170 is significantly above the current stock level.

Portfolio Recovery Associates Group (Nasdaq: PRAA)

When consumer delinquency rate is rapidly rising, investors should consider exposure to companies specialized in the repossession of consumer debt. PRA not only acquires (uncollectible) debt at discounted rate, but negotiates debt repayments and provides debt relief services.

As a testament to PRA’s proactive approach, the company even had to pay a $24 million fine from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in March 2023, following illegal debt collection tactics allegations.

In Q2 financial results, PRA reported 13% increase in cash collections to $473.9 million. The year-over-year net income difference was stark, at $24.9 million vs the net loss of $62.4 million for the six months ending June last year.

PRA’s trailing P/E ratio was 225.30 vs forward P/E of 119.05. At the present price of $22.80, PRAA stock is just slightly above the average 52-week price of $21.88 per share. Nasdaq”s forecasting places the average PRAA price target at $30.5, indicating a 30% potential upside.

PRAA’s low estimate of $28 is also above its present price level, making it another undervalued stock.

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