Cal-Maine Foods Inc: Is This Deeply Undervalued Stock A Hidden Gem?
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The stock this week is:
Cal-Maine Foods Inc (CALM)
Cal-Maine Foods Inc produces and sells shell eggs. Its main market is the United States. The company’s product portfolio contains nutritionally enhanced, cage-free, organic, and brown eggs. Cal-Maine Foods markets the shell eggs to a diverse group of customers, including grocery-store chains, club stores, and food service distributors. The company’s brands are Egg-Land’s, Land O’ Lakes, Farmhouse, and 4-Grain. The Company has one reportable operating segment, which is the production, grading, packaging, marketing and distribution of shell eggs.
One of the metrics we use in our screens is IV/P (Intrinsic Value to Price). Let us simplify what it means:
What is IV/P (Intrinsic Value to Price)?
IV/P tells you if a stock is a good deal based on how much value you’re getting for the price you pay.
The Calculation:
It combines a stock’s earning power, growth potential, and what it’s returning to shareholders (via dividends and buybacks) to calculate its Implied Value — what the business is worth based on its fundamentals.
The Interpretation:
- IV/P > 1: You’re getting more value than you’re paying for — a potential bargain.
- IV/P < 1: You’re paying more than the business is worth — possibly overvalued.
If IV/P is very high, it signals the stock might be trading at a deep discount.
IV/P for Cal-Maine Foods: 4.20
CALM currently has an IV/P of 4.20, meaning the stock’s implied value is calculated to be 4.2 times greater than its current price. Put another way:
For every $1 you invest, you’re potentially getting $4.20 of value.
That’s a substantial margin of safety, suggesting Cal-Maine may be significantly undervalued.
Supporting Metrics:
- Free Cash Flow Yield: 19.22%
Indicates the company is generating an enormous amount of free cash flow relative to its market cap — a strong signal of financial health and value. - Dividend Yield: 4.70%
A healthy return of capital, rewarding shareholders while signaling consistent profitability.
Why Might Cal-Maine Be Undervalued?
- Commodity Price Noise:
Egg prices can be volatile, driven by seasonal patterns, feed costs, and bird flu outbreaks. These short-term fluctuations can obscure the company’s long-term earnings power. - No Long-Term Debt:
The market may not be fully appreciating the strength of its balance sheet and financial flexibility. Cal-Maine has no long-term debt, a rarity among public companies. - Perceived Boring Business:
Egg production may not grab headlines like tech or biotech, but CALM’s stable demand and strong margins make it a classic compounder hiding in plain sight.
Conclusion:
With an IV/P of 4.20, Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) appears to be trading at a deep discount to its intrinsic value. Its powerful free cash flow, strong dividend, debt-free balance sheet, and essential industry position make it a compelling pick for value investors. While the egg business may not be flashy, CALM delivers where it counts — in cash returns and fundamental strength.
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