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3 Stocks To Buy Today Near 52 week low?

Three Companies at or Near 52-Week Lows: A Value Investor's Perspective

By Paul Gabrail | Wednesday, September 18, 2024

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If you're a value investor, like me, you know that a stock hitting or nearing its 52-week low can present some incredible opportunities. But here's the key question to always ask: is the market reacting emotionally to short-term news, or is there a justified reason for the decline? Even when justified, has the market overreacted?


The goal is to find companies that are selling for way less than their intrinsic value, and today, we're diving into three such stocks. These companies are at or near their 52-week lows, which might indicate potential bargains for long-term investors.


Let’s take a detailed look.


Stock #1: Dollar General (DG)


This is a company that's been in the news a lot lately, mostly for its declining stock price. Just a few years ago, in April 2022, Dollar General reached an all-time high of $262 per share. Fast forward to today, and it's down to $83 per share, hitting a low of $78 just a week ago.


So, what's happening with Dollar General? They reported some bad news recently, but if you think a recession is on the horizon, this could be a stock worth considering. Dollar General typically thrives during tough economic times as people look for ways to save money.


Key Financials:


  • Market Cap: $18.3 billion
  • Enterprise Value: $42 billion (a lot of debt, likely leases)
  • Dividend Yield: 2.8%, consuming only a third of their cash flow


The stock is currently trading at a nearly single-digit price-to-earnings (PE) ratio and price-to-free-cash-flow ratio, which is appealing. However, there are some concerns. Their 5-year net income is $2.15 billion, but their 5-year free cash flow is significantly lower at $1.5 billion.


Despite that, the company's return on invested capital (ROIC) over the past five years is 10.8%, which is above my preferred minimum. If you're a dividend investor, the current price makes the dividend yield much more attractive than it was at its $270 price point.


Analyst Expectations:


  • Analysts expect a drop this year, but they're forecasting a rebound in the coming years, projecting earnings of around $12 per share by 2029.
  • Revenue growth is expected in the mid to high single digits (5-6% annually).


I ran Dollar General through the Stock Analyzer Tool, and here’s what I found:


  • I inputted 3%, 5%, and 7% revenue growth.
  • For profit margin, I estimated between 5.5% and 7%.
  • PE ratios ranged from 13 to 17.


Results: The tool suggested a stock price range between $110 and $281, with a middle ground of $150 to $200. That's all green across the board—definitely worth more research if you're interested in retail.



Stock #2: Intel (INTC)


Intel is a stock that I own, but I want to be clear—this is one of the riskiest plays in my portfolio. Intel is facing a major turnaround challenge, and right now, their numbers don't mean much. It’s all about whether they can return to their former glory.


Key Financials:


  • Market Cap: $82 billion
  • Revenue Decline: Peaked at $79 billion, currently around $55 billion.
  • Profit: Down significantly but still profitable, generating $21 billion a year at its peak.


Analysts are predicting that by 2028, Intel could return to a profit of $4.63 per share. If Intel manages to achieve that and the market assigns it a price-to-earnings ratio of 18, this stock could potentially be worth $85 per share, which is more than four times its current price.


This is a classic turnaround play, and it's not for the faint of heart. If Intel gets back to its previous profit levels, it could be a home run. But if it doesn’t, you need to be comfortable with the possibility of a zero return.



Stock #3: Airbnb (ABNB)


Airbnb has been a surprising find for me recently. The stock is near its 52-week low at $115, down from an all-time high of $220 in 2021. Despite the stock price decline, Airbnb's revenue has increased from $6 billion to $10.5 billion over the past three years, and they’ve gone from losing $350 million to generating $4.8 billion in profit.


Key Financials:


  • Market Cap: $75 billion
  • Free Cash Flow: $4.36 billion in the last year
  • 5-Year Free Cash Flow: $2.35 billion (versus net income of $443 million)


Airbnb is a company that has changed the way people travel and rent properties. I personally love their service and use it frequently. The business model allows people to monetize their properties easily, which has contributed to their high ROIC of 21%.


Analyst Expectations:


  • Analysts predict earnings will grow from $4.60 per share this year to $9.33 in the next four to five years.
  • Revenue growth is expected at 10-12% annually.

I ran Airbnb through the Stock Analyzer Tool as well:

  • I assumed revenue growth of 4%, 7%, and 10%.
  • Profit margins were set between 20% and 45%.


Results: The low-end valuation came out to $50, while the high-end hit $220, with the middle range at about $140. Airbnb is currently trading at around $115, so it might be worth adding to a watchlist and doing more research.



Final Thoughts:


All three of these companies—Dollar General, Intel, and Airbnb—are at or near their 52-week lows, presenting potential buying opportunities for value investors. However, each comes with its own risks and requires further research. Dollar General offers stability in tough economic times, Intel is a high-risk turnaround play, and Airbnb continues to revolutionize the rental market despite regulatory challenges.



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