Key Takeaways A December screen applies P/B, P/S, P/E and PEG to identify five value stocks above $5 with strong liquidity.StoneCo, General Motors, EnerSys, Deutsche Bank and Keros Therapeutics trade below industry P/B medians.The screen stresses comparing P/B within industries and pairing it with other valuation ratios.There are several different ways to find value stocks. Among these, the most popular are the price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) and price-to-sales ratio (P/S). However, investors often overlook t ...

Core Insights - In times of market volatility, investors are increasingly turning to value investing as a strategy to capitalize on discounted stock prices when others are selling [1][3] Value Investment Strategy - Value investing allows investors to purchase stocks at lower prices during market uncertainty, presenting opportunities for long-term gains [1] - The strategy can lead to "value traps" if not properly understood, where stocks underperform due to persistent issues rather than temporary setbacks [3] Importance of PEG Ratio - The PEG ratio, defined as (Price/Earnings)/Earnings Growth Rate, is a crucial metric for value investors, with a lower PEG ratio indicating better value [5] - The PEG ratio helps identify intrinsic stock value, although it has limitations, such as not accounting for changing growth rates over time [5] Screening Criteria for Value Stocks - Effective screening for value stocks includes criteria such as a PEG ratio less than the industry median, a P/E ratio below the industry median, and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 [6] - Additional criteria include a market capitalization greater than $1 billion, an average 20-day trading volume exceeding 50,000, and upward revisions in earnings estimates by more than 5% [6] Selected Value Stocks - The Allstate Corporation (ALL), Telefonica, S.A. (TEF), Enersys (ENS), and Commercial Metals Co. (CMC) are highlighted as low-PEG value stocks that meet strict screening criteria [7] - Each of these companies demonstrates a combination of discounted valuation, solid growth metrics, and strong Style Scores, along with rising earnings estimates [7] Company Profiles - **Allstate Corporation (ALL)**: The third-largest property-casualty insurer in the U.S. with a five-year expected growth rate of 18.9% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [9][10] - **Telefonica, S.A. (TEF)**: A major telecommunications provider in Europe and Latin America, with a five-year expected growth rate of 28.1% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [10][11] - **Enersys (ENS)**: Engaged in manufacturing industrial batteries, with a long-term historical growth rate of 16.5% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [11][12] - **Commercial Metals Co. (CMC)**: A manufacturer and recycler of steel products, boasting a five-year expected growth rate of 25.6% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [13][14]

Core Insights - Investors primarily utilize price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-sales (P/S) ratios for stock evaluation, while the price-to-book (P/B) ratio serves as an additional metric for identifying undervalued stocks with growth potential [1][5][10] Group 1: P/B Ratio and Its Importance - The P/B ratio is defined as the ratio of stock price to book value, calculated as market capitalization divided by book value of equity [2] - A P/B ratio of less than one indicates that a stock is trading below its book value, suggesting it may be undervalued and a good buy [5] - Conversely, a P/B ratio greater than one suggests the stock may be overvalued [5][6] Group 2: Book Value Definition - Book value represents the total value remaining for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities [3] - It is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets, equating to common stockholders' equity on the balance sheet [4] Group 3: Limitations of P/B Ratio - The P/B ratio is particularly useful for industries with tangible assets, such as finance and manufacturing, but may be misleading for companies with high R&D expenses or significant debt [8] - A low P/B ratio could indicate weak asset returns or overstated assets, while a high P/B may suggest a company is a takeover target [7] Group 4: Stocks with Low P/B Ratios - StoneCo (STNE) has a low P/B ratio with a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 30.3% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [9][15] - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) also features a low P/B ratio with a projected EPS growth rate of 12.0% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [9][16] - Keros Therapeutics (KROS) is highlighted with a projected EPS growth rate of 23.6% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [9][20] Group 5: Screening Parameters for Investment - Screening for stocks involves comparing P/B, P/S, and P/E ratios against industry medians to identify attractive investment opportunities [11][12][13] - A PEG ratio of less than 1 indicates undervaluation relative to future growth prospects [13] - Stocks should have a minimum trading price of $5 and a substantial average trading volume for liquidity [14]

Core Insights - Value investors traditionally use the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio to identify value stocks, but for loss-making companies, the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is more relevant. The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is also a useful tool for identifying undervalued stocks with high return potential [1][5][9]. Valuation Ratios - The P/B ratio is calculated as market capitalization divided by book value of equity, helping to identify low-priced stocks with high growth prospects [2][5]. - A P/B ratio of less than one indicates that a stock is trading below its book value, suggesting it may be undervalued, while a ratio above one may indicate overvaluation [5][6]. - The P/B ratio is particularly useful for industries with tangible assets, such as finance and manufacturing, but can be misleading for companies with high R&D expenses or significant debt [8]. Book Value Definition - Book value represents the total value remaining for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities, calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets [3][4]. Screening Parameters - Stocks with a P/B ratio lower than the industry median are considered to have potential for price appreciation [11]. - Additional screening criteria include a P/S ratio below the industry median, a P/E ratio below the industry median, a PEG ratio less than 1, a current price of at least $5, an average 20-day volume of at least 100,000, and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 [12][13][14]. Selected Stocks - Five stocks identified with low P/B ratios and solid growth potential include: - **StoneCo (STNE)**: Financial technology solutions provider with a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 30.3% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [15]. - **Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD)**: Largest U.S. dredging services provider with a projected EPS growth rate of 12.0% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [16]. - **EnerSys (ENS)**: Manufacturer of industrial batteries with a projected EPS growth rate of 15.0% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [17]. - **MillerKnoll (MLKN)**: Design solutions provider with a projected EPS growth rate of 12.0% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [17]. - **Keros Therapeutics (KROS)**: Clinical-stage biotech with a projected EPS growth rate of 23.6% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [18].

Core Insights - EnerSys reported Q1 FY2026 earnings with revenue of $893.0 million, a 4.7% increase year-over-year, but missed analyst estimates of $939.8 million [1][2] - Adjusted diluted EPS (non-GAAP) rose to $2.08, reflecting a 5.1% increase from $1.98 in Q1 FY2025, but fell short of the expected $2.59 [2] - The company suspended full-year quantitative guidance for FY2026 due to external uncertainties and operational challenges [1] Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 4.7% year-over-year, driven by acquisitions, pricing improvements, and favorable currency movements [5] - Adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) grew by 8.1%, while EBITDA (non-GAAP) decreased by 8.8% to $103.9 million compared to $113.9 million in Q1 FY2025 [2][7] - Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was negative at $(32.1) million, attributed to seasonal working capital needs and higher inventories [7] Segment Analysis - The Energy Systems segment saw an 8.4% sales increase, with adjusted operating margins improving to 7.0% from 5.3% in Q1 FY2025 [6] - Motive Power segment sales fell by 4.7%, with adjusted operating margins decreasing from 15.3% to 13.4% due to weakened demand [6] - Specialty segment sales jumped by 18.1%, significantly boosted by the acquisition of Bren-Tronics [6] Strategic Focus - EnerSys emphasizes innovation in advanced battery technologies, including TPPL and lithium-ion batteries, while managing lead costs [4][11] - The company is implementing a new strategic framework, "EnerGize," targeting approximately $80 million in annualized cost savings through workforce reduction and reorganization [10] - Regulatory compliance and sustainability remain priorities as the company serves a diverse global customer base [4] Shareholder Returns - The quarterly dividend was raised by 9% to $0.2625 per share, reflecting a commitment to shareholder capital returns [9][14] - The company completed $150 million in share repurchases, a significant increase from $11.6 million in Q1 FY2025 [9] Future Outlook - Management forecasts Q2 FY2026 net sales between $870 million and $910 million, with adjusted diluted EPS between $2.33 and $2.43 [12] - The company did not provide full-year guidance for FY2026 due to uncertainties around tariffs and customer order behavior [12] - Key factors to watch include organic growth in core business areas, realization of cost savings, and the impact of IRC 45X tax credits on profitability [13]

Core Viewpoint - Xerox Holdings Corporation reported a quarterly loss of $0.06 per share, which was worse than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.05, marking an earnings surprise of -20% [1] - The company has consistently missed consensus EPS estimates over the last four quarters [2] Financial Performance - Xerox posted revenues of $1.46 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.19%, compared to $1.5 billion in revenues a year ago [2] - The company has only surpassed consensus revenue estimates once in the last four quarters [2] Stock Performance - Xerox shares have declined approximately 47.7% since the beginning of the year, in contrast to the S&P 500's decline of -5.3% [3] - The current Zacks Rank for Xerox is 4 (Sell), indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.25 on revenues of $1.58 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.72 on revenues of $6.25 billion [7] - The trend for estimate revisions ahead of the earnings release has been unfavorable [6] Industry Context - The Office Supplies industry, to which Xerox belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 13% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a challenging environment [8]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market is experiencing a strong bull run, driven by economic resilience and increased CEO confidence, which reached an index of 60 in Q1 2025, indicating "confident optimism" [1] - The economy expanded by 2.8% in Q4 2024, supported by a robust labor market, while a 1% rate cut by the Federal Reserve has lowered borrowing costs, promoting business expansions and consumer spending [1] - Inflation is trending towards the Fed's 2% target, leading to optimism about further monetary easing in 2025 [1] Investment Strategy - Investors are encouraged to focus on relative price strength, identifying stocks that outperform their peers as market trends strengthen [2] - High-performing stocks with strong relative price momentum are seen as advantageous in navigating the ongoing bull market [2] Recommended Stocks - **Pitney Bowes (PBI)**: Expected earnings growth of 47.6% for 2025, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of approximately 96.6% and a share price increase of 177.4% over the past year [10][11] - **The Hanover Insurance Group (THG)**: Projected earnings growth of 7.7% for 2025, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of about 21.7% and a share price increase of 20.2% over the past year [12][13] - **EnerSys (ENS)**: Anticipated EPS growth rate of 19.8% for fiscal 2025, with a 12.8% share price increase over the past year [14][15] - **First Financial Corporation (THFF)**: Expected earnings growth of 39% for 2025, with a share price increase of 38.6% over the past year [16][17] Screening Parameters - Stocks are screened based on relative price changes over 12 weeks, 4 weeks, and 1 week, as well as positive current-quarter estimate revisions [8] - Only Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks that have historically outperformed the S&P 500 are considered, with a minimum price of $5 and adequate trading volume [9][10]