The Motley Foolยท2025-09-01 10:29Core Viewpoint - The market is becoming more expensive, with the S&P 500's price-to-earnings ratio rising to over 25 times, yet some stocks like Energy Transfer and Realty Income are trading at attractive valuations, making them ideal investment opportunities [1][2]. Group 1: Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer is currently trading at less than nine times its EV/EBITDA, which is significantly lower than the sector average of around 12 times [4]. - The company is in a strong financial position, with its leverage ratio in the lower half of its target range of 4.0 to 4.5 [5]. - Energy Transfer has achieved a 10% compound annual growth rate in adjusted EBITDA over the past five years, with expectations for growth to reaccelerate in 2026 and 2027 due to new capital projects [6]. - The company offers a high income yield of 7.5% and anticipates annual distribution growth of 3% to 5% [7]. - The low valuation and strong financials make Energy Transfer an attractive investment opportunity [12]. Group 2: Realty Income - Realty Income trades at around 13 times its funds from operations (FFO), below the average REIT multiple of approximately 18 times [8]. - The company has a dividend yield of around 5.5%, higher than the REIT sector average of about 4% [8]. - Realty Income's operational return has outperformed other REITs over the past one, three, and five years, indicating strong performance [9]. - The company is well-positioned for future growth, leveraging a strong balance sheet and continuing to acquire income-producing properties [10]. - Realty Income has consistently raised its dividend, with 131 increases since its public listing in 1994, including 111 consecutive quarters [11].