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Is AES (AES) a Great Value Stock Right Now?

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Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore 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.

In addition to the Zacks Rank, investors looking for stocks with specific traits can utilize our Style Scores system. Of course, value investors will be most interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with "A" grades for Value and high Zacks Ranks are among the best value stocks available at any given moment.

One company value investors might notice 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 12.20. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 14.28. Over the last 12 months, AES's Forward P/E has been as high as 13.65 and as low as 9.41, with a median of 11.34.

AES is also sporting a PEG ratio of 1.55. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. AES's industry currently sports an average PEG of 2.54. AES's PEG has been as high as 1.75 and as low as 1.15, with a median of 1.35, all within the past year.

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. AES has a P/S ratio of 1.03. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 2.04.

Finally, investors should note that AES has a P/CF ratio of 5.13. 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 company's current P/CF looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 7.73. Over the past year, AES's P/CF has been as high as 13.51 and as low as 4.33, with a median of 10.22.

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


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