In this article, we will look at the 10 most undervalued value stocks to buy now.
2022 has been an unfavorable year for stocks so far due to rampant inflation and high interest rates. It has come to a point where fixed income has started to appeal to investors more than equities. However, some analysts think that the market has been oversold, and now is the time to spot potential buying opportunities amid the recent share price weakness. On October 15 chief market technician at Piper Sandler, Craig Johnson, appeared in an interview on CNBC in which he stressed that the “market is so incredibly oversold” and that it is “due for a relief rally”. Craig Johnson noted that though the market is in a downtrend, “we probably will get a really good rally that could take us back up to 3,900 (S&P 500), maybe a little bit more” and he thinks that the rally will happen between now and year-end.
As of October 21, the S&P 500 has dropped 22.30% year to date, the Dow has lost 15.5% so far, and the Nasdaq is down 32% for the year. In an environment where bond yields are rising and equities are falling, finding quality stocks can be a challenge. We have come up with some of the best undervalued value stocks to buy now which include Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO), Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA), and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF). These stocks, among others, are discussed in detail in the article below.
Our Methodology
To determine the most undervalued value stocks to buy now, we screened for stocks that came from value sectors such as consumer staples, healthcare, energy, industrials, and financials. We narrowed down our selection to companies that were trading at a significant bargain to their true value and had the potential for decent share price appreciation based on business fundamentals and growth catalysts. Along with each stock, we included the hedge fund sentiment, analyst ratings, PE ratio, and other useful metrics that investors can use to make informed investment decisions. We have ranked these stocks in descending order of their PE ratios.
10 Most Undervalued Value Stocks To Buy Now
10. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 12.13
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) is a bank holding company that provides financial services to institutions and individuals worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Investment Services and Investment Management. The company has a long history dating back to 1784 and is one of the oldest and largest financial institutions in the United States with a track record of dividend growth.
Wall Street sees upside to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK). This October, Citi analyst Keith Horowitz raised his price target on The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) to $50 from $46 and reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. On October 17, Deutsche Bank analyst Brian Bedell raised his price target on The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) to $43 from $41 and maintained a Hold rating on the shares.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) has pulled back in 2022 and is presenting an optimal buying opportunity for investors. The company has a diversified business model with exposure to various geographies and asset classes, which provides it with some protection against economic downturns. The company has a strong balance sheet with plenty of liquidity and is one of the best undervalued stocks to invest in now. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) is trading at a twelve-month PE ratio of 12.13 and is offering a forward dividend yield of 3.79% to shareholders, as of October 21.
At the close of Q2 2022, 38 hedge funds were bullish on The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) and held stakes worth $3.60 billion in the company. Of those, Berkshire Hathaway is the largest shareholder in the company and has stakes worth $3 billion.
In addition to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK), some of the top stocks that have pulled back in 2022 and are on investors’ radars include Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO), Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA), and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF).
9. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 10.25
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is one of the largest banks in the United States with a market capitalization of $358 billion, as of October 21. The company has a strong history of financial stability and a track record of profitability. Shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) have pulled back in 2022 and are trading at bargain levels. As of October 21, the stock is trading at a PE multiple of 10x and is offering a forward dividend yield of 3.44%. The stock is ranked high among the best undervalued stocks to buy now.
On October 16, Citi analyst Keith Horowitz reiterated his $135 price target and Buy rating on JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM). The analyst noted that the stock’s current valuations offer an “excellent entry point” for a “quality franchise”.
At the end of Q2 2022, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) was a part of 104 hedge fund portfolios. The collective stakes of these hedge funds amounted to $5.80 billion in the company. This is compared to 110 positions in the preceding quarter with stakes worth $5.05 billion.
As of September 30, Greenhaven Associates is the leading shareholder in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) and has stakes worth $503 million in the company.
Here is what Vltava Fund had to say about JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) in its third-quarter 2022 investor letter:
“We regard JPM to be the strongest and best- managed bank in the world. It is a leader in investment banking, commercial banking, credit cards, and asset management. Its size (the largest bank in the USA, with nearly USD 4,000 billion in assets) and diversification give it a strong competitive advantage that is compounded by its cost advantages and the high costs to clients associated with switching banks. JPM’s management prides itself on running the only large bank to avoid major instability over the long term.
JP Morgan’s quality and strength first became fully evident in 2008 under the leadership of its CEO Jamie Dimon. Not only did JP Morgan help to stabilize the market by taking over the failing Bear Stearns in the spring of that year, but throughout the Great Financial Crisis it was the only big US bank that did not require government assistance and it was highly profitable even in the difficult year of 2008.
A well-functioning and efficient bank can be a very good long-term investment, because the interest compounding effect works well here. JPM’s return on equity (ROE) is well into the double digits and this puts it in a good position to continue producing better long-term returns than does the market. JPM has been very profitable even during years when interest rates were close to zero. The current – and perhaps not temporary – return to somewhat more normal, higher interest rates should have a significantly positive impact on the bank’s interest income and overall profitability.”
8. Talos Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TALO)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 8.98
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21
Talos Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TALO) is an oil and gas exploration and production company with a focus on the Gulf of Mexico. The company has a strong asset base in the Gulf of Mexico and a proven track record of successful exploration and production. The company is well–funded and has a strong balance sheet. Talos Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TALO) has a trailing twelve-month operating margin of 19.97% and free cash flows of $556.65 million. As of October 21, Talos Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TALO) is trading at a PE ratio of 8.98 and is presenting an attractive entry point for investors. The stock is one of the best undervalued stocks to buy now.
On October 18, Stifel analyst Nate Pendleton resumed coverage of Talos Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TALO) with a Buy rating and a $27 price target. The analyst is bullish on the company’s leading position in carbon capture and sees the stock as “fundamentally undervalued”.
At the end of Q2 2022, 21 hedge funds were long Talos Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TALO) and held stakes worth $127.55 million in the company. As of September 30, Bailard Inc is the most prominent shareholder in Talos, Inc. (NYSE:TALO) and has stakes worth $0.46 million in the company.
7. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 8.78
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 70
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is one of the world‘s largest research–based pharmaceutical companies and is a leader in many therapeutic areas including inflammation, oncology, vaccines, and rare diseases. The company has a strong track record of delivering shareholder value through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Pfizer is well–positioned to continue to generate strong financial results, driven by a robust pipeline of potential new products and a continued focus on cost–cutting initiatives.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is offering investors a bargain right now and is trading at a PE multiple of 8x, as of October 21, and is also offering a forward dividend yield of 3.63%. The stock is ranked high among the best undervalued stocks to buy now. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) has free cash flows of $28.44 billion.
This October, SVB Securities analyst David Risinger revised his price target on Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) to $48 from $53 and reiterated a Market Perform rating on the shares. On October 12, Barclays analyst Carter Gould adjusted his price target on Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) to $44 from $50 and maintained an Equal Weight rating on the shares.
At the close of Q2 2022, 70 hedge funds were long Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and held stakes worth $2.8 billion in the company. As of September 30, ARK Investment Management is the top shareholder in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and has stakes of over 23.3 million in the company.
Here is what Carillon Tower Advisers had to say about Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) in its second-quarter 2022 investor letter:
“Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is a research-based global biopharmaceutical company. The United States agreed to pay Pfizer and its vaccine partner more than $3 billion in a deal for their messenger RNA shots against COVID-19. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the company’s COVID vaccine for children aged 5 to 11.”
6. Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 8.10
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) is a leading global aluminum producer with operations in bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminum smelting. The company has a strong position in the global aluminum market with a diversified portfolio of high–quality assets. Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) is a low–cost producer of aluminum and is well–positioned to benefit from continued global demand growth. The company has a strong balance sheet and is committed to returning cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) has free cash flows of $807 million and a trailing twelve-month operating margin of 21.69%.
Wall Street is positive on Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA). On October 20, BMO Capital analyst David Gagliano revised his price target on Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) to $35 from $40 and reiterated a Market Perform rating on the shares.
As of October 21, Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) has a trailing twelve-month PE ratio of 8.10 and is offering a forward dividend yield of 1.01%. The stock is ranked among the best undervalued stocks to buy now.
At the end of Q2 2022, 39 hedge funds disclosed ownership of stakes in Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) and held stakes worth $1.24 billion in the company. As of June 30, Soroban Capital Partners is the top investor in Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA) and has stakes worth $234.5 million in the company.
Recent share price weakness is presenting an optimal opportunity for investors to rack up shares of best-in-class companies such as Alcoa Corporation (NYSE:AA), Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO), Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA), and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF), at a bargain.
5. Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 6.86
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41
Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) is an American petroleum and natural gas exploration and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company is one of the largest oil and gas producers in the United States. Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) is a well-run company with a strong balance sheet and a disciplined approach to capital expenditure. The company is well-positioned to generate significant cash flow and returns for shareholders in the coming years. Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) has free cash flows of $3.45 billion and a trailing twelve-month operating margin of 39.85%.
Shares of Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) have pulled back and are trading at bargain levels. As of October 20, the stock is trading at a PE multiple of 6x and is awarding shareholders with a forward dividend yield of 1.13%. Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) is ranked high among the best undervalued stocks to buy now.
On October 18, Piper Sandler analyst Mark Lear raised his price target on Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) to $38 from $36 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares.
At the end of Q2 2022, Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) was spotted on 41 hedge fund portfolios. These funds held collective stakes of $1.26 billion in the company. As of June 30, Fisher Asset Management is the most prominent investor in Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) and has stakes worth over $194 million in the company.
Here is what Carillon Tower Advisers had to say about Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) in its “Carillon Clarivest Capital Appreciation Fund” first-quarter 2022 investor letter:
“Stock selection contributed the most while sector allocation was also positive. An underweight to communication services and an overweight to energy helped performance, while an underweight to consumer staples and an overweight to materials detracted. Stock selection was strong within healthcare and materials but was weak within information technology and industrials. Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO) increased its quarterly dividend and executed an impressive share buyback that blew by the target it originally announced.”
4. Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 3.95
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
Moderna, Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines to create a new generation of transformative medicines for patients. The company is well–run, with a market capitalization of over $50 billion, as of October 21, and is ranked high among the best undervalued stocks to buy now. As of October 21, Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) is trading at a PE multiple of 4x. On October 12, Piper Sandler analyst Edward Tenthoff reiterated his Overweight rating and $214 price target on Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA).
At the close of Q2 2022, 45 hedge funds were long Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) and held stakes worth $2.63 billion in the company. As of September 30, ARK Investment Management is the largest shareholder in Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) and has stakes worth $19.34 million in the company.
Here is what Baron Funds had to say about Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) in its third-quarter 2022 investor letter:
“Within biotechnology, underperformance of Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) and lower exposure to this better performing sub-industry weighed the most on relative performance. Shares of Moderna, a leader in the emerging field of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, declined due to increasing uncertainty around what a booster market could look like as COVID shifts away from pandemic status and becomes an increasingly commercial market rather than government funded.”
3. Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 3.77
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) is a leading financial services company that offers a variety of financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and automotive dealers. At the end of Q2 2022, 42 hedge funds disclosed ownership of stakes in Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY). The collective stakes of these hedge funds amounted to $2.32 billion.
This October, RBC Capital analyst Jon Arfstrom revised his price target on Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) to $32 from $37 and reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares. On October 20, Citi analyst Arren Cyganovich revised his price target on Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) to $34 from $35 and maintained a Buy rating on the shares.
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) has a trailing twelve-month operating margin of 34.32% and has free cash flows of $1.99 billion. As of October 21, Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) is trading at a PE multiple of 3x and is offering a forward dividend yield of 4.54%. The stock is one of the best undervalued stocks to buy right now.
As of September 30, Magnolia Capital Fund is the most prominent investor in Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) and has stakes worth $86.6 million in the company.
Here is what Moon Capital Management had to say about Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) in its third-quarter 2022 investor letter:
“We recently purchased shares of Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY), the world’s largest digital-only bank. Ally’s legacy dates back more than 100 years when it was originally launched as GMAC, the in-house financing arm of General Motors. The company was spun out from GM and rebranded as Ally more than a decade ago, but has retained an automotive focus on the lending side, where it holds the largest position in prime auto lending.
Since the spinoff, Ally has transformed from an auto loan company into a comprehensive, independent finance provider for borrowers and savers of all types. The company has completely restructured the liability side of its balance sheet and has created a deposit-gathering engine that is now more than 85 percent deposit[1]funded. (Compared to issuing traditional corporate debt, deposits are a significantly less expensive capital source for banks.)
Due to the lower overhead associated with the digital bank’s lack of brick-and-mortar locations, the bank produces one of the best efficiency ratios in the industry. This low-cost position, combined with a relatively high loan portfolio yield of approximately 6.75 percent, has helped the company earn net interest margins well above those of many leading banks. These high margins translate into high returns on equity, which the company targets at 16-18 percent over the medium term. (Actual ROE in 2021 was 24 percent. When the company came public in 2014, its ROE was a paltry four percent.)..” (Click here to read the full text)
2. Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 3.62
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 8
Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) is an integrated energy company with operations in 69 countries. It is Italy’s largest industrial company and is also one of the world’s leading oil and gas companies. Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) is committed to sustainable development and to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The company has a strong track record of delivering shareholder value and is well-positioned to weather the current macroeconomic environment. Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) has a trailing twelve-month operating margin of 18.67% and has free cash flows of EUR 10 billion. The stock is ranked high among the best undervalued stocks to buy now and is trading at a PE ratio of 3.62, as of October 21.
Wall Street sees upside to Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E). This September, JPMorgan analyst Christyan Malek raised his price target on Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) to EUR 19 from EUR 18.50 and reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares.
At the close of Q2 2022, 8 hedge funds were bullish on Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) and held stakes worth $137 million in the company. This is compared to 8 positions in the previous quarter with stakes worth $128 million. As of June 30, Arrowstreet Capital is the leading investor in Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) and has stakes worth over $57 million in the company.
1. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF)
PE Ratio as of October 21 (TTM): 2.42
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
Cleveland–Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) is a mining company that produces iron ore pellets, lumps, and fines in the United States. At the end of Q2 2022, 29 hedge funds were bullish on Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) and held stakes worth roughly $451 million in the company. As of June 30, Fisher Asset Management is the most prominent investor in Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) and has stakes of approximately $167 million in the company.
Shares of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) have pulled back in 2022 and are now presenting an attractive opportunity for investors to buy into weakness. As of October 21, the stock is trading at a PE multiple of 2x and is ranked high among the best undervalued stocks to buy now. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) is cash-rich and has a track record for profitability. The company has free cash flows of over $3 billion and has a trailing twelve-month operating margin of 21%.
Wall Street is bullish on Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF). On October 6, Goldman Sachs analyst Emily Chieng revised her price target on Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) to $19 from $23 and reiterated a Buy rating on the shares.
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Disclosure: None. 10 Most Undervalued Value Stocks To Buy Now is originally published on Insider Monkey.
