VIRT vs. BAM: Which Stock Should Value Investors Buy Now?

Core Viewpoint - Investors are evaluating the value opportunities presented by Virtu Financial (VIRT) and Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) to determine which stock offers better value at the current time [1] Group 1: Zacks Rank and Earnings Outlook - Virtu Financial holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Brookfield Asset Management has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - The Zacks Rank system favors stocks with positive revisions to earnings estimates, suggesting that VIRT has an improving earnings outlook [3] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - VIRT has a forward P/E ratio of 7.17, significantly lower than BAM's forward P/E of 37.99 [5] - The PEG ratio for VIRT is 0.41, indicating better value relative to its expected earnings growth compared to BAM's PEG ratio of 2.17 [5] - VIRT's P/B ratio stands at 3.28, while BAM's P/B ratio is much higher at 10.93, further indicating VIRT's relative undervaluation [6] Group 3: Value Grades - Based on various valuation metrics, VIRT has earned a Value grade of A, whereas BAM has received a Value grade of F, highlighting VIRT's superior valuation [6] - The stronger estimate revision activity and more attractive valuation metrics for VIRT suggest it is the preferred choice for value investors at this time [7]