The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.
Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.
In addition to the Zacks Rank, investors looking for stocks with specific traits can utilize our Style Scores system. Of course, value investors will be most interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with "A" grades for Value and high Zacks Ranks are among the best value stocks available at any given moment.
One company value investors might notice is Beacon Roofing Supply (BECN). BECN is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 11.41, while its industry has an average P/E of 17.22. BECN's Forward P/E has been as high as 17.78 and as low as 6.50, with a median of 10.19, all within the past year.
Investors will also notice that BECN has a PEG ratio of 0.60. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. BECN's industry has an average PEG of 1.26 right now. BECN's PEG has been as high as 1.19 and as low as 0.28, with a median of 0.41, all within the past year.
Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. This is a prefered metric because revenue can't really be manipulated, so sales are often a truer performance indicator. BECN has a P/S ratio of 0.39. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 0.48.
Finally, investors will want to recognize that BECN has a P/CF ratio of 8.44. This data point considers a firm's operating cash flow and is frequently used to find companies that are undervalued when considering their solid cash outlook. BECN's current P/CF looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 13.33. Over the past 52 weeks, BECN's P/CF has been as high as 16.26 and as low as 5.82, with a median of 10.27.
Value investors will likely look at more than just these metrics, but the above data helps show that Beacon Roofing Supply is likely undervalued currently. And when considering the strength of its earnings outlook, BECN sticks out at as one of the market's strongest value stocks.
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