As a value-conscious investor, I’m always on the lookout for high-quality companies whose stocks are trading at discounted levels, and after a recent search of several industries, I came across three very attractive options. Let’s take a quick look at each, so you can determine if you should add one of them to your portfolio today.
1. Stantec Inc.
Stantec Inc. (TSX:STN)(NYSE:STN) is one of the world’s leading providers of comprehensive professional services, including engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics.
Its stock currently trades at just 18.4 times fiscal 2016’s estimated earnings per share of $1.75 and only 14.7 times fiscal 2017’s estimated earnings per share of $2.19, both of which are inexpensive compared with its five-year average price-to-earnings multiple of 32.4. These multiples are also inexpensive given its estimated 12% long-term earnings growth rate.
Additionally, Stantec pays a quarterly dividend of $0.1125 per share, or $0.45 per share annually, giving its stock a yield of about 1.4%. Investors must also note that it has raised its annual dividend payment for three consecutive years, and its 7.1% hike in February has in on pace for 2016 to mark the fourth consecutive year with an increase.
2. Thomson Reuters Corp.
Thomson Reuters Corp. (TSX:TRI)(NYSE:TRI) is the world’s leading provider of integrated and intelligent information for business and professionals.
Its stock currently trades at just 19.8 times fiscal 2016’s estimated earnings per share of US$2.04 and only 17.3 times fiscal 2017’s estimated earnings per share of US$2.33, both of which are inexpensive compared with its five-year average price-to-earnings multiple of 41.5. These multiples are also inexpensive given its estimated 10.6% long-term earnings growth rate.
Additionally, Thomson Reuters pays a quarterly dividend of US$0.34 per share, or US$1.36 per share annually, giving its stock a yield of about 3.4%. Investors must also note that it has raised its annual dividend payment for 22 consecutive years, and its 1.5% hike in February has it on pace for 2016 to mark the 23rd consecutive year with an increase.
3. Cameco Corporation
Cameco Corporation (TSX:CCO)(NYSE:CCJ) is one of the largest uranium producers in the world, providing about 18% of the world’s total production from mines in Canada, the United States, and Kazakhstan, and it’s also one of the leading providers of nuclear fuel processing services.
Its stock currently trades at just 14.3 times fiscal 2016’s estimated earnings per share of $1.04 and only 11.1 times fiscal 2017’s estimated earnings per share of $1.34, both of which are inexpensive compared with its five-year average price-to-earnings multiple of 104.3. These multiples are also inexpensive given its estimated 26.5% long-term earnings growth rate.
Additionally, Cameco pays a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, or $0.40 per share annually, giving its stock a yield of about 2.7%. It’s also worth noting that it has maintained this annual rate since 2011.
