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Should Value Investors Pick Methode Electronics (MEI) Stock?
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Value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. After all, who wouldn’t want to find stocks that are either flying under the radar and are compelling buys, or offer up tantalizing discounts when compared to fair value?
One way to find these companies is by looking at several key metrics and financial ratios, many of which are crucial in the value stock selection process. Let’s put Methode Electronics, Inc. (MEI - Free Report) stock into this equation and find out if it is a good choice for value-oriented investors right now, or if investors subscribing to this methodology should look elsewhere for top picks:
PE Ratio
A key metric that value investors always look at is the Price to Earnings Ratio, or PE for short. This shows us how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings in a given stock, and is easily one of the most popular financial ratios in the world. The best use of the PE ratio is to compare the stock’s current PE ratio with: a) where this ratio has been in the past; b) how it compares to the average for the industry/sector; and c) how it compares to the market as a whole.
On this front, Methode Electronics has a trailing twelve months PE ratio of 9.40, as you can see in the chart below:
This level actually compares pretty favorably with the market at large, as the PE for the S&P 500 stands at about 18.23. If we focus on the long-term PE trend, Methode Electronics’ current PE level puts it below its midpoint over the past five years.
Further, the stock’s PE also compares favorably with the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s trailing twelve months PE ratio, which stands at 20.39. At the very least, this indicates that the stock is relatively undervalued right now, compared to its peers.
We should also point out that Methode Electronics has a forward PE ratio (price relative to this year’s earnings) of just 11.56, which is tad higher than the current level. So it is fair to expect an increase in the company’s share price in the near term.
P/S Ratio
Another key metric to note is the Price/Sales ratio. This approach compares a given stock’s price to its total sales, where a lower reading is generally considered better. Some people like this metric more than other value-focused ones because it looks at sales, something that is far harder to manipulate with accounting tricks than earnings.
Right now, Methode Electronics has a P/S ratio of about 1.15. This is significantly lower than the S&P 500 average, which comes in at 3.32 right now. Also, as we can see in the chart below, this is below the highs for this stock in particular over the past few years.
If anything, MEI is near the lower end of its range in the time period from a P/S metric, suggesting some level of overvalued trading—at least compared to historical norms.
Broad Value Outlook
In aggregate, Methode Electronics currently has a Value Score of A, putting it into the top 20% of all stocks we cover from this look. This makes Methode Electronics a solid choice for value investors, and some of its other key metrics make this pretty clear too.
For example, the P/CF ratio for Methode Electronics came in at 7.73, which is a bit lower than the industry average of 13.92. Clearly, Methode Electronics is a solid choice on the value front from multiple angles.
What About the Stock Overall?
Though Methode Electronics might be a good choice for value investors, there are plenty of other factors to consider before investing in this name. In particular, it is worth noting that the company has a Growth Score of D and a Momentum Score of C. This gives MEI a Zacks VGM score — or its overarching fundamental grade — of C. (You can read more about the Zacks Style Scores here >>)
Meanwhile, the company’s recent earnings estimates have been encouraging. The current quarter has seen two estimates go higher in the past sixty days compared to no movement in the opposite direction, while the current year estimate has seen two upward revision compared to no downward in the same time period.
This has had a positive impact on the consensus estimate though as the current quarter consensus estimate has increased by 22% in the past two months, while the current year estimate has increased by 20.2%. You can see the consensus estimate trend and recent price action for the stock in the chart below:
This bullish trend is why the stock boasts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and why we are expecting outperformance from the company in the near term.
Bottom Line
Methode Electronics is an inspired choice for value investors, as it is hard to beat its incredible line up of statistics on this front. A strong industry rank (among top 1% of more than 250 industries) and a Zacks Rank #1 further instils our confidence. In fact, over the past two years, the Zacks Electronics - Connectors industry has clearly outperformed the market at large, as you can see below:
So, it might pay for value investors to delve deeper into the company’s prospects, as fundamentals indicate that this stock could be a compelling pick.
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Image: Bigstock
Should Value Investors Pick Methode Electronics (MEI) Stock?
Value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. After all, who wouldn’t want to find stocks that are either flying under the radar and are compelling buys, or offer up tantalizing discounts when compared to fair value?
One way to find these companies is by looking at several key metrics and financial ratios, many of which are crucial in the value stock selection process. Let’s put Methode Electronics, Inc. (MEI - Free Report) stock into this equation and find out if it is a good choice for value-oriented investors right now, or if investors subscribing to this methodology should look elsewhere for top picks:
PE Ratio
A key metric that value investors always look at is the Price to Earnings Ratio, or PE for short. This shows us how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings in a given stock, and is easily one of the most popular financial ratios in the world. The best use of the PE ratio is to compare the stock’s current PE ratio with: a) where this ratio has been in the past; b) how it compares to the average for the industry/sector; and c) how it compares to the market as a whole.
On this front, Methode Electronics has a trailing twelve months PE ratio of 9.40, as you can see in the chart below:
This level actually compares pretty favorably with the market at large, as the PE for the S&P 500 stands at about 18.23. If we focus on the long-term PE trend, Methode Electronics’ current PE level puts it below its midpoint over the past five years.
Further, the stock’s PE also compares favorably with the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s trailing twelve months PE ratio, which stands at 20.39. At the very least, this indicates that the stock is relatively undervalued right now, compared to its peers.
We should also point out that Methode Electronics has a forward PE ratio (price relative to this year’s earnings) of just 11.56, which is tad higher than the current level. So it is fair to expect an increase in the company’s share price in the near term.
P/S Ratio
Another key metric to note is the Price/Sales ratio. This approach compares a given stock’s price to its total sales, where a lower reading is generally considered better. Some people like this metric more than other value-focused ones because it looks at sales, something that is far harder to manipulate with accounting tricks than earnings.
Right now, Methode Electronics has a P/S ratio of about 1.15. This is significantly lower than the S&P 500 average, which comes in at 3.32 right now. Also, as we can see in the chart below, this is below the highs for this stock in particular over the past few years.
If anything, MEI is near the lower end of its range in the time period from a P/S metric, suggesting some level of overvalued trading—at least compared to historical norms.
Broad Value Outlook
In aggregate, Methode Electronics currently has a Value Score of A, putting it into the top 20% of all stocks we cover from this look. This makes Methode Electronics a solid choice for value investors, and some of its other key metrics make this pretty clear too.
For example, the P/CF ratio for Methode Electronics came in at 7.73, which is a bit lower than the industry average of 13.92. Clearly, Methode Electronics is a solid choice on the value front from multiple angles.
What About the Stock Overall?
Though Methode Electronics might be a good choice for value investors, there are plenty of other factors to consider before investing in this name. In particular, it is worth noting that the company has a Growth Score of D and a Momentum Score of C. This gives MEI a Zacks VGM score — or its overarching fundamental grade — of C. (You can read more about the Zacks Style Scores here >>)
Meanwhile, the company’s recent earnings estimates have been encouraging. The current quarter has seen two estimates go higher in the past sixty days compared to no movement in the opposite direction, while the current year estimate has seen two upward revision compared to no downward in the same time period.
This has had a positive impact on the consensus estimate though as the current quarter consensus estimate has increased by 22% in the past two months, while the current year estimate has increased by 20.2%. You can see the consensus estimate trend and recent price action for the stock in the chart below:
Methode Electronics, Inc. Price and Consensus
Methode Electronics, Inc. Price and Consensus | Methode Electronics, Inc. Quote
This bullish trend is why the stock boasts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and why we are expecting outperformance from the company in the near term.
Bottom Line
Methode Electronics is an inspired choice for value investors, as it is hard to beat its incredible line up of statistics on this front. A strong industry rank (among top 1% of more than 250 industries) and a Zacks Rank #1 further instils our confidence. In fact, over the past two years, the Zacks Electronics - Connectors industry has clearly outperformed the market at large, as you can see below:
So, it might pay for value investors to delve deeper into the company’s prospects, as fundamentals indicate that this stock could be a compelling pick.
Radical New Technology Creates $12.3 Trillion Opportunity
Imagine buying Microsoft stock in the early days of personal computers… or Motorola after it released the world’s first cell phone. These technologies changed our lives and created massive profits for investors.
Today, we’re on the brink of the next quantum leap in technology. 7 innovative companies are leading this “4th Industrial Revolution” - and early investors stand to earn the biggest profits.
See the 7 breakthrough stocks now>>