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.
Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader 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 company value investors might notice is Strategic Education (STRA). STRA is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value.
Another valuation metric that we should highlight is STRA's P/B ratio of 1.18. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 3.30. Within the past 52 weeks, STRA's P/B has been as high as 1.53 and as low as 1.06, with a median of 1.26.
Finally, investors will want to recognize that STRA has a P/CF ratio of 12.00. 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 18.81. STRA's P/CF has been as high as 15.87 and as low as 10.81, with a median of 12.87, all within the past year.
These are just a handful of the figures considered in Strategic Education's great Value grade. Still, they help show that the stock is likely being undervalued at the moment. Add this to the strength of its earnings outlook, and we can clearly see that STRA is an impressive value stock right now.
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Strategic Education Inc. (STRA): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).