MDU Resources Group Stock: 3 Reasons Why MDU Is A Top Choice For Value Investors

Many investors like to look for value in stocks, but this can be very tough to define. There is great debate regarding which metrics are the best to focus on in this regard, and which are not really quality indicators of future performance. Fortunately, with our new style score system we have identified the key statistics to pay close attention to and thus which stocks might be the best for value investors in the near term.

This method discovered several great candidates for value-oriented investors, but today let’s focus on MDU Resources Group Inc. (NYSE:MDU) as this stock is looking especially impressive right now. And while there are numerous reasons why this is the case, we have highlighted three of the most vital reasons for MDU’s status as a solid value stock below:

Forward PE for MDU Resources Group

Easily one of the most popular readings for value investors, the forward PE ratio shows us the current price of a stock divided by the full year earnings. Generally speaking, value investors like to see this ratio below 20, though it can vary by industry.

Right now, MDU has a forward PE of just 20.98, which means that investors are paying $20.98 for each dollar in expected MDU Resources Group earnings this year. Compared to the industry at large this is pretty favorable as the overall space has an average PE of 22.72 in comparison.

PEG Ratio for MDU

While earnings are definitely important, it is vital to know how much you are paying for the growth of earnings as well. One can easily do that with the PEG ratio as this metric looks to show investors how much they are paying for each unit of earnings growth.

MDU manages to impress on this front as well, as the company’s PEG is just 3.00, suggesting that MDU Resources Group is trading as a relative bargain right now. This is particularly the case when you compare this PEG to the industry, as the broader segment has an average PEG of 3.78 in comparison.

MDU Earnings Estimate Revisions Moving in the Right Direction

The solid value ratios outlined in the preceding paragraphs might be enough for some investors, but we should also note that the earnings estimate revisions have been trending in a positive direction as well. Analysts who follow MDU stock have been raising their estimates for the company lately, meaning that the EPS picture is looking a bit more favorably for MDU Resources Group now.

Over the past 60 days, 1 earnings estimate has gone higher compared to none lower for the full year, while we are also seeing that 1 estimate has moved upwards with no downward revision for the next year time frame too. These revisions have helped to boost the consensus estimate as 60 days ago MDU was expected to post earnings of $1.12 per share for the full year though today it looks to have EPS of $1.15 for the full year.

Bottom Line

For the reasons detailed above, investors shouldn’t be surprised to read that we have MDU as a stock with a Value Score of ‘B’ and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). So if you are a value investor, definitely keep MDU on your short list as this looks to be a stock that is very well-positioned for gains in the near term.