Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Are Investors Undervaluing Marathon Oil (MRO) Right Now?

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.

Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. 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.

Marathon Oil (MRO - Free Report) is a stock many investors are watching right now. MRO 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 8.85. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 13.26. MRO's Forward P/E has been as high as 11.42 and as low as 6.41, with a median of 8.04, all within the past year.

We should also highlight that MRO has a P/B ratio of 1.35. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 2.25. Over the past year, MRO's P/B has been as high as 1.57 and as low as 1.16, with a median of 1.35.

Value investors also frequently use the P/S ratio. This metric is found by dividing a stock's price with the company's revenue. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. MRO has a P/S ratio of 2.29. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 3.55.

Finally, investors will want to recognize that MRO has a P/CF ratio of 4.16. This data point considers a firm's operating cash flow and is frequently used to find companies that are undervalued when considering their solid cash outlook. This stock's P/CF looks attractive against its industry's average P/CF of 5.65. MRO's P/CF has been as high as 4.69 and as low as 3.02, with a median of 3.94, all within the past year.

Value investors will likely look at more than just these metrics, but the above data helps show that Marathon Oil is likely undervalued currently. And when considering the strength of its earnings outlook, MRO sticks out at 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:


Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO) - free report >>

Published in