4 Value Stocks Every Investor Should Hold in Volatile Times

Market Overview - The market faced challenges as technology and semiconductor stocks experienced significant selling, raising concerns about high valuations and the sustainability of the AI-driven rally [1] - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices declined by 0.24% and 0.67%, respectively, indicating a cautious market sentiment [1] - There is a shift in focus towards value stocks due to the current market conditions [1] Value Stocks Evaluation - The Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) ratio is highlighted as an effective metric for evaluating value stocks, with companies like StoneCo Ltd. (STNE), CVS Health Corporation (CVS), Integer Holdings Corporation (ITGR), and USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (USNA) showing low P/CF ratios [2][10] - A low P/CF ratio indicates a favorable market price relative to the cash flow generated per share, making it a reliable indicator of financial health [5][10] Financial Health Indicators - Positive cash flow is essential for a company's liquidity, enabling it to manage debts, reinvest, and return value to shareholders, while negative cash flow indicates declining liquidity [7] - Analysts emphasize that cash flow is a more reliable measure than earnings, which can be influenced by accounting estimates and management practices [6] Value Investing Strategy - A comprehensive approach to value investing should include multiple metrics such as price-to-book ratio, price-to-earnings ratio, and price-to-sales ratio, alongside the P/CF ratio [8] - Stocks should be selected based on parameters like P/CF less than or equal to the industry median, a minimum price of $5, and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 for better performance potential [9][11][13] Company Performance Highlights - StoneCo has a Zacks Rank of 1, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.5%, and is projected to see sales and EPS growth of 7.6% and 10.4%, respectively [13][14] - CVS Health holds a Zacks Rank of 2, with a trailing earnings surprise of 22.6%, and is expected to grow sales and EPS by 4.7% and 16.6%, respectively [15] - Integer Holdings, also with a Zacks Rank of 2, anticipates sales and EPS growth of 7.8% and 20.4%, despite a 13.2% decline in share price over the past year [16] - USANA Health Sciences has a Zacks Rank of 2, with a trailing earnings surprise of 21.6%, and is projected to grow sales and EPS by 11.7% and 1.2%, respectively, despite a 21.1% decline in share price [17]