Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Are Investors Undervaluing Cardinal Health (CAH) Right Now?

Read MoreHide Full Article

The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.

Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.

Luckily, Zacks has developed its own Style Scores system in an effort to find stocks with specific traits. Value investors will be interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with both "A" grades in the Value category and high Zacks Ranks are among the strongest value stocks on the market right now.

One company to watch right now is Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) . CAH is currently holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 15.48. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 18.05. CAH's Forward P/E has been as high as 20.15 and as low as 13.69, with a median of 15.30, all within the past year.

Investors will also notice that CAH has a PEG ratio of 1.24. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. CAH's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 1.82. Over the last 12 months, CAH's PEG has been as high as 1.88 and as low as 1.22, with a median of 1.49.

Finally, investors will want to recognize that CAH has a P/CF ratio of 15.27. This metric takes into account a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find stocks that are undervalued based on their solid cash outlook. This stock's P/CF looks attractive against its industry's average P/CF of 19.46. CAH's P/CF has been as high as 17.47 and as low as 12.96, with a median of 15.12, all within the past year.

McKesson (MCK - Free Report) may be another strong Medical - Dental Supplies stock to add to your shortlist. MCK is a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) stock with a Value grade of A.

Shares of McKesson currently hold a Forward P/E ratio of 17.82, and its PEG ratio is 1.32. In comparison, its industry sports average P/E and PEG ratios of 18.05 and 1.82.

MCK's Forward P/E has been as high as 21.86 and as low as 14.23, with a median of 17.68. During the same time period, its PEG ratio has been as high as 1.53, as low as 1.06, with a median of 1.27.

Furthermore, McKesson holds a P/B ratio of -55.02 and its industry's price-to-book ratio is 5.24. MCK's P/B has been as high as -23.17, as low as -57.93, with a median of -44.99 over the past 12 months.

These are only a few of the key metrics included in Cardinal Health and McKesson strong Value grade, but they help show that the stocks are likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, CAH and MCK look like an impressive value stock at the moment.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


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


Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) - free report >>

McKesson Corporation (MCK) - free report >>

Published in