COO or WST: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Medical - Dental Supplies sector should consider The Cooper Companies (COO) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) for potential investment opportunities, with a focus on which stock is more appealing to value investors [1] Group 1: Zacks Rank and Earnings Outlook - The Cooper Companies has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a stronger earnings outlook compared to West Pharmaceutical Services, which has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - The improvement in earnings outlook for COO is likely more significant than that of WST [3] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - COO has a forward P/E ratio of 18.52, while WST has a forward P/E of 35.98, suggesting that COO may be undervalued relative to WST [5] - The PEG ratio for COO is 2.38, compared to WST's PEG ratio of 3.80, indicating that COO has a more favorable growth outlook relative to its valuation [5] - COO's P/B ratio is 2.01, while WST's P/B ratio is significantly higher at 6.5, further suggesting that COO is a better value option [6] Group 3: Value Grades - Based on various valuation metrics, COO holds a Value grade of B, whereas WST has a Value grade of D, reinforcing the notion that COO is the more attractive option for value investors [6]