Book Value

Book value is a loosely used generic term referring to the accounting value of a business or operation. It is generally referred to as the net balance sheet value on a given date. This means assets less liabilities and less intangibles. Other variations of book value include carrying value, basis, and tangible book value.

Value Investing – Principle #2: Intrinsic Value (Lesson 7)

Lessons/Tutorials/Resources / By / 03/25/2021
Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic value is just one of the four principles of value investing. Intrinsic value sets the floor price of the investment; i.e. it is an automatic buy. Any price higher than this intrinsic value must be substantiated by other value investing criteria. In effect, other criteria may increase the buy point upwards of 20%.

Intrinsic value utilizes one or more of three different valuation methods. The first method and customarily applicable to high quality stocks is the discounted future free cash flow formula. The second method works best with penny and small-cap stocks; this is the traditional book method. Mid-caps’ intrinsic value is best served by the net assets value method adjusted to fair market value of the underlying assets. Those companies with strong fixed asset positions in the mid-cap market capitalization range are best served by this particular method. In effect, the accuracy increases significantly with the net assets value adjusted by fair market values for the underlying fixed assets.

Value investors customarily use the discounted cash flows method; but here too, there are adjustments tied to certain criteria to provide a more accurate and reasonable intrinsic value for the stock.

Railroad Stocks – Analysis 02/15/2020

Railways Pool / By / 02/21/2021

Every one of the six railroad stocks are at or above their all-time highs. As of today, February 15, 2020, the various stock prices are as follows: Union Pacific 184.65; Norfolk Southern $206.85; Canadian National $93.93;
Kansas City Southern $173.64; Canadian Pacific $270.86; CSX $79.59.

In addition, the price to book ratios are also higher than last quarter. The key question: is there any value in any of the stocks? To do this, a table of various preferred ratios must be prepared and explained in a write-up. 

Two critical points of information are evaluated, both the gross profit margin and operational cash flow per share are explained in this article.

Railroad Stock Investments – The Standard of Measurement to Buy and Sell Railway Stock

Railways Pool / By / 02/08/2021

The transportation sector of the United States economy is composed of nine industrial groups. One particular group moves more volume of tonnage based on ton miles than any other form of transportation – Railroads. In accordance with the Federal Department of Transportation, railroads move 39.5% of all freight in the US (based on ton miles which is the length freight travels). It’s a $60 Billion industry with over 140,000 miles of track. It is dominated by seven major carriers (referred to as Class I Railways).

Railroad companies are an excellent group of investments for several reasons. First, this is a highly stable and regulated industry. Secondly, there are a limited number of railroads, in effect, the threshold of entry for any new railways is impractical and financially capital intensive. Third, each company limits its revenue stream to transportation (there are some alternative sources of revenue but they are less than 5% of their entire total revenue). Every single member in this pool has a long history of positive earnings and superior cash flow.

Value Investing

Value Investing / By / 02/22/2021
Value Investing

Value investing is a concept of buying and selling stocks based on business fundamentals and not as a reaction to news or market trends. It is a well accepted principle that often the market overreacts to news causing stocks to plummet in price or escalate in value. Value investors ignore this and use sound business fundamentals to trade stock. Much of historical wealth accumulation is based in value investments. There are no short-cuts or sudden actions taken by value investors. All decisions are derived by business analytics and trend lines.

EBITDA – Drawbacks

Marginal Value / By / 02/03/2021
EBITDA

There are several business financial attributes required for EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) to work well as a basis for the multiple of earnings method (the method used with the Market Comparable Valuation Approach); see Fair Market Value for a better understanding of the three primary business valuation approaches.