There are a number of great companies in the market today. By using the ModernGraham Valuation Model, I’ve selected the five undervalued companies reviewed by ModernGraham trading closest to their 52 week low. Each of these companies has been determined to be suitable for the Defensive Investor according to the ModernGraham approach.

Defensive Investors are defined as investors who are not able or willing to do substantial research into individual investments, and therefore need to select only the companies that present the least amount of risk. Enterprising Investors, on the other hand, are able to do substantial research and can select companies that present a moderate (though still low) amount of risk.

Be sure to check out the history of this screen to see which companies have been selected in the past.

Ashland Inc (ASH)

Ashland Inc qualifies for both the Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor has no initial concerns while the Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the level of debt relative to the net current assets. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.15 in 2012 to an estimated $5.39 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 4.89% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

WestRock Co (WRK)

WestRock Co qualifies for both the Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor.  The Defensive Investor is only concerned by the low current ratio while the Enterprising Investor’s only initial concern is the level of debt relative to the net current assets.  As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.97 in 2012 to an estimated $3.28 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 0.64% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)

Cisco Systems Inc qualifies for both the Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned by the short dividend record while the Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.30 in 2012 to an estimated $1.79 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 2.34% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

QUALCOMM, Inc. (QCOM)

Qualcomm Inc qualifies for both the Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor.  In fact, the company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company’s financial strength.  As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.49 in 2012 to an estimated $3.80 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.49% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)

Torchmark Corporation (TMK)

Torchmark Corp qualifies for both the Enterprising Investor and the more conservative Defensive Investor.  In fact, the company passes all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company’s strong financial position.  As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach based on Benjamin Graham’s methods should feel comfortable proceeding with further research.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.63 in 2011 to an estimated $3.91 for 2015. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 2.45% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price. (See the full valuation)