Out of the multitude of companies, which ones would legendary value investor Benjamin Graham buy today?  I’ve compiled ten great companies that fit the ModernGraham criteria, based on Benjamin Graham’s methods. The companies in this list pass the rigorous requirements of either the Defensive Investor or the Enterprising Investor and are undervalued by the market.

Here are the ten companies Benjamin Graham would invest in today:

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK)

Bank of New York Mellon qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor has concerns regarding the insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years while 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 undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.30 in 2011 to an estimated $2.17 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.  (See the full valuation)

Citigroup Inc. (C)

Citigroup 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, 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 undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from a loss of $6.47 in 2011 to an estimated gain of $3.80 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 2.43% 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)

Denbury Resources Inc. (DNR)

Denbury Resources Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the company size, insufficient earnings growth or stability over the last ten years along with the short dividend history.  The Enterprising Investor is 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 the evaluation.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.88 in 2011 to an estimated $1.05 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth surpasses the market’s implied estimate of 2.58% annual earnings decline 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)

FMC Corp. (FMC)

FMC Corporation qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor.  The Defensive Investor’s only initial concern is the low current ratio while the Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets.  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 $1.80 in 2011 to an estimated $3.85 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.  (See the full valuation)

Fossil Group Inc. (FOSL)

Fossil Group Inc. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and for the Enterprising Investor.  Both investor types are only concerned by the lack of dividend.  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 $3.34 in 2011 to an estimated $5.86 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 0.71% annual earnings loss 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)

Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN)

Franklin Resources Inc. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor.  The company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company’s strong fundamentals.  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 $2.23 in 2011 to an estimated $3.41 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.47% 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)

Graham Holdings Co. (GHC)

Graham Holdings Company qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and for the Enterprising Investor.  The Defensive Investor is only concerned with the inconsistent dividend history.  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 $18.06 in 2011 to an estimated $70.23 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 0.06% annual earnings loss 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)

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (STWD)

Starwood Property Trust Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned by the short history as a publicly traded company, while the company passes all of the Enterprising Investor’s requirements.  As a result, Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research into the company and comparing it to other opportunities.

As for a valuation, the company appears undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $0.76 in 2011 to an estimated $1.98 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated growth is greater than the market’s implied estimate of 1.18% earnings growth and leads the ModernGraham valuation model, which is based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, to return an estimate of intrinsic value above the market price.  (See the full valuation)

Tegna Inc (TGNA)

Tegna Inc. qualifies for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings growth or stability over the last ten years along with the low current ratio.  The Enterprising Investor is 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 the evaluation.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from a loss of $2.00 in 2011 to an estimated gain of $2.50 for 2015.  This level of demonstrated earnings growth surpasses the market’s implied estimate of 1.06% 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)