ASTH or CHE: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare sector should consider Astrana Health, Inc. (ASTH) as a potentially better value option compared to Chemed (CHE) based on various financial metrics and rankings [1]. Group 1: Zacks Rank and Earnings Outlook - Astrana Health, Inc. has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive earnings estimate revision trend, while Chemed has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [3]. - The improving earnings outlook for ASTH suggests a favorable investment opportunity compared to CHE [7]. Group 2: Valuation Metrics - ASTH has a forward P/E ratio of 15.66, significantly lower than CHE's forward P/E of 20.47, indicating that ASTH may be undervalued [5]. - The PEG ratio for ASTH is 0.91, while CHE's PEG ratio is 2.09, further suggesting that ASTH offers better value considering expected earnings growth [5]. - ASTH's P/B ratio is 1.85 compared to CHE's P/B of 5.84, reinforcing the notion that ASTH is more attractively priced relative to its book value [6]. - Based on these metrics, ASTH has earned a Value grade of A, while CHE has a Value grade of C [6].