Oaktree Capital Group LLC (OAK), Fortress Investment Group LLC (FIG): Three Private Equity Value Stocks for You

U.S. equity markets are down after the Federal Reserve chief made it clear that its bond buying program will slow. Meanwhile, concerns about shrinking manufacturing in China failed to offer any help to markets.

This scenario cannot be seen as a positive for equity markets but it doesn’t mean you should stop investing in the markets.  Private equity firms appear to be cheap and profitable. Don’t believe me? Take a look.

$108 million profit

As is evident, drying capital availability in the markets may push some companies into distress, which would be a beneficial scenario for Oaktree Capital Group LLC (NYSE:OAK).  It also generates revenue by managing assets of large global institutional investors, including 75 of the 100 largest U.S. pension plans.

During 2012, the company swung back from losses and posted a net profit of $107.8 million.  It continued the trend in the first quarter, with net income jumping threefold to $57.6 million. On a forward earnings basis, the company is priced at 10.2 times while still offering a dividend yield of 10.9%.

Speaking of dividends

Similarly, Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEC) offers an excellent dividend yield of 12.6% at a current market price around $10.50. This financial services company’s main business is to lend and invest in middle market privately held companies.

Financially, the company has had a strong track record even when most other companies were struggling. From a top line of $100.5 million in 2009, Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEC) has grown its annual revenue to $320.9 million in 2012.

In its most recent nine months, the company has already crossed this milestone, with total investment income of $409.8 million and a net investment income profit of $232.8 million. The stock currently even trades at an attractive forward price earnings multiple of 8.2.  It even has a reasonable debt to equity ratio of 0.55, yet its stock trades at a discount to its book value.  And that’s at a time when strong and profitable companies are trading at exorbitant valuations.

Get a fort

New York based Fortress Investment Group LLC (NYSE:FIG) is another investment management firm with strong fundamentals. Unlike many of its peers, this private equity company has a low debt equity ratio of 0.16 which could be seen as foolishly low. However, this low reliance on debt comes as a handy tool when a company has to navigate through tough times. When capital becomes scarce, companies with high reliance on debt witness margin contraction.