Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Should Value Investors Buy AES (AES) Stock?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.

Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today.

One stock to keep an eye on is AES (AES - Free Report) . AES is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 8.59. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 11.83. Over the last 12 months, AES's Forward P/E has been as high as 17.66 and as low as 6.60, with a median of 12.54.

Investors will also notice that AES has a PEG ratio of 1.35. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. AES's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 1.88. Within the past year, AES's PEG has been as high as 2.14 and as low as 0.72, with a median of 1.48.

Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is is calculated as price divided by sales. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. AES has a P/S ratio of 0.85. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.71.

Another great Utility - Electric Power stock you could consider is E.ON (EONGY - Free Report) , which is a # 2 (Buy) stock with a Value Score of A.

Shares of E.ON are currently trading at a forward earnings multiple of 10.18 and a PEG ratio of 0.79 compared to its industry's P/E and PEG ratios of 11.83 and 1.88, respectively.

Over the past year, EONGY's P/E has been as high as 13.85, as low as 9.13, with a median of 11.46; its PEG ratio has been as high as 1.35, as low as 0.73, with a median of 1.48 during the same time period.

Furthermore, E.ON holds a P/B ratio of 1.36 and its industry's price-to-book ratio is 2.11. EONGY's P/B has been as high as 1.49, as low as 0.86, with a median of 1.34 over the past 12 months.

Value investors will likely look at more than just these metrics, but the above data helps show that AES and E.ON are likely undervalued currently. And when considering the strength of its earnings outlook, AES and EONGY sticks out as one of the market's strongest value stocks.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


The AES Corporation (AES) - free report >>

E.ON SE (EONGY) - free report >>

Published in