Bargain Bin: 3 Stocks Down Over 20% YTD

Keeping an eye on stocks such as Cogeco Inc. (TSX:CGO) that are being unfairly punished by the market can reveal investment opportunities.

| More on:

Not all sell-offs are created equal.

Stocks can experience downward pressure for any number of reasons, from flying too high, to earnings misses, or simply becoming unpopular. The challenge for investors seeking buying opportunities is to differentiate between the true losers and the winners in disguise.

Let’s take a look at three stocks that have suffered year to date to sort out which ones will be tomorrow’s stars and which ones are destined for further declines.

Cogeco Inc. (TSX:CGO)

Cogeco is a holding company which has subsidiaries that operate in telecommunications and media. Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX:CCA) provides television, internet, and home phone services to residential and commercial customers in Canada and the United States. Cogeco Media is an owner and operator of radio stations in Quebec.

Down around 35% year to date, Cogeco still trades about a dollar above its 52-week low. The company’s stock price has been in free fall since it hit $96.87 on December 1, 2017, losing roughly 40%.

Trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of about 7.5 and a price-to-book ratio of just under 1.5, Cogeco offers compelling value and five-year average earnings growth of roughly 13% to boot.

Cogeco pays a quarter dividend of $0.39 — good for an annualized yield of the order of 2.7%. The company has a track record of raising its payout at the time of the November distribution and did so last year with an increase of around 15%.

Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX:DII.B)

Dorel’s business is built around furniture, bicycles, and a plethora of products for infants and young children. The company has been adversely affected by the unwinding of Toys “R” Us Inc.’s U.S. operations earlier this year, which has weighed heavily on its shares.

Down roughly 20% year to date, Dorel is trading around 16% above its 52-week low. The stock began its recent downward leg in May and has only recently begun to recover.

Of the three companies covered in this article, Dorel is the most deeply discounted on a price-to-book basis with a ratio of a little over 0.5. For income investors, the company also offers the best yield of the group at around 6.2%; Dorel pays a quarterly dividend of US$0.30.

Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX:EFN)

Element provides financing and management services for fleets of commercial vehicles. The company has a diverse customer base with vehicles serving a wide range of industries. Following a dismal press release in February, Element’s stock took a beating from which it has yet to recover.

Element’s stock has lost just under 35% year to date, but it began an impressive rebound in April that has seen gains of almost 100% off of its 52-week low of $3.21. Less than a year ago, Element traded as high as $11.03, roughly 75% above its current price.

Despite its choppy stock price performance, Element has grown revenues at an impressive clip, delivering three-year average growth in excess of 50%. At its current price, the company trades below book value, with a price-to-book ratio of about 0.75.

Offering a yield of around 4.8%, Element makes for an interesting income play. The company has only paid dividends for a few years, but in that time it has gone from offering $0.025 per quarter to $0.075 — a 200% increase.

Conclusion

An investment case could be made for any of the above stocks, but Cogeco is likely to represent the best balance of risk and reward. Analysts have weighed in on the stock, and the consensus price target is roughly $77, which translates to potential upside of more than 30%.

Rummaging through the bargain bin is not for every investor, but it can be a boon for those willing to do their research and ride out a price recovery.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor James Watkins-Strand has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Dividend Stocks

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Dividend Stocks

Is Fairfax Financial Stock a Buy for its 1.1% Dividend Yield?

Is Fairfax worth adding to your portfolio?

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

How to Use Your TFSA to Earn $5,000 Per Year in Tax-Free Income

Adding these two top dividend stocks could help you create a reliable income-generating portfolio within your TFSA.

Read more »

woman looks out at horizon
Dividend Stocks

Is Manulife Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Manulife stock (TSX:MFC) has had one heck of a year. But is that set to continue in 2025 and beyond?

Read more »

Canadian dollars in a magnifying glass
Dividend Stocks

Retirees: Expect a 2.7% CPP Inflation Boost Next Year

A 2.7% inflation bump means more nominal income. Investing in ETFs like the BMO Canadian Dividend ETF (TSX:ZDV) provides a…

Read more »

up arrow on wooden blocks
Dividend Stocks

3 Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks Every Canadian Should Own

These are large-cap TSX stocks with fundamentally strong businesses and growing earnings bases that support their distributions.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

Is Granite REIT stock a buy for its 4.3% dividend yield?

Granite REIT stock appears to be a good buy for monthly income and long-term price appreciation at current levels.

Read more »

Muscles Drawn On Black board
Dividend Stocks

Canadian Defensive Stocks to Buy Now for Stability

Defensive stocks are some of the best buys for long-term holders, though without the flash. Which is why now is…

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

High Yields Over 6%? Top 2 REITs to Buy in December

Consider H&R REIT (TSX:HR.UN) and another top REIT to land a generous dividend yield close to 6%.

Read more »