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Is Cimarex Energy (XEC) 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 use a variety of methods, including tried-and-true valuation metrics, to find these stocks.

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 stock to keep an eye on is Cimarex Energy . XEC is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and an A for Value. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 9.07, while its industry has an average P/E of 14. Over the last 12 months, XEC's Forward P/E has been as high as 13.55 and as low as 7.59, with a median of 11.22.

Investors should also recognize that XEC has a P/B ratio of 1.87. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks solid versus its industry's average P/B of 2. Within the past 52 weeks, XEC's P/B has been as high as 3.53 and as low as 1.76, with a median of 2.62.

Finally, we should also recognize that XEC has a P/CF ratio of 5.18. This metric focuses on a firm's operating cash flow and is often used to find stocks that are undervalued based on the strength of their cash outlook. This stock's P/CF looks attractive against its industry's average P/CF of 5.73. Over the past 52 weeks, XEC's P/CF has been as high as 9.23 and as low as 4.19, with a median of 6.54.

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

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