Every investor would love to stumble upon the perfect stock. But will you ever really find a stock that provides everything you could possibly want?
One thing's for sure: You'll never discover truly great investments unless you actively look for them. Let's discuss the ideal qualities of a perfect stock, then decide if Amerigroup
The quest for perfection
Stocks that look great based on one factor may prove horrible elsewhere, making due diligence a crucial part of your investing research. The best stocks excel in many different areas, including these important factors:
- Growth. Expanding businesses show healthy revenue growth. While past growth is no guarantee that revenue will keep rising, it's certainly a better sign than a stagnant top line.
- Margins. Higher sales mean nothing if a company can't produce profits from them. Strong margins ensure that company can turn revenue into profit.
- Balance sheet. At debt-laden companies, banks and bondholders compete with shareholders for management's attention. Companies with strong balance sheets don't have to worry about the distraction of debt.
- Money-making opportunities. Return on equity helps measure how well a company is finding opportunities to turn its resources into profitable business endeavors.
- Valuation. You can't afford to pay too much for even the best companies. By using normalized figures, you can see how a stock's simple earnings multiple fits into a longer-term context.
- Dividends. For tangible proof of profits, a check to shareholders every three months can't be beat. Companies with solid dividends and strong commitments to increasing payouts treat shareholders well.
With those factors in mind, let's take a closer look at Amerigroup.
Factor |
What We Want to See |
Actual |
Pass or Fail? |
---|---|---|---|
Growth | 5-Year Annual Revenue Growth > 15% | 16.9% | Pass |
1-Year Revenue Growth > 12% | 9.6% | Fail | |
Margins | Gross Margin > 35% | 15.7% | Fail |
Net Margin > 15% | 2.4% | Fail | |
Balance Sheet | Debt to Equity < 50% | 55.1% | Fail |
Current Ratio > 1.3 | 1.16 | Fail | |
Opportunities | Return on Equity > 15% | 12.3% | Fail |
Valuation | Normalized P/E < 20 | 29.56 | Fail |
Dividends | Current Yield > 2% | 0% | Fail |
5-Year Dividend Growth > 10% | 0% | Fail | |
Total Score | 1 out of 10 |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Total score = number of passes.
Since we looked at Amerigroup last year, the company has lost three points. But after trading lower most of the year, a buyout bid has lifted shares of the Medicaid coverage provider, giving shareholders about a 25% gain in the past year and making many of the metrics above moot.
Providing services for state Medicaid programs is extremely competitive. Big companies UnitedHealth
This time last year, though, Amerigroup was dealing with some serious problems that could have jeopardized its entire business. The company double-billed the state of Georgia for some of its services, which sent both its shares and those of rival WellCare Health
Amerigroup got a welcome boost from a takeover bid from WellPoint
As long as the takeover takes place, Amerigroup won't have any opportunity to improve toward perfection on its own. Given the trouble the stock had producing gains prior to the offer, shareholders are probably just as happy things turned out this way.
Keep searching
No stock is a sure thing, but some stocks are a lot closer to perfect than others. By looking for the perfect stock, you'll go a long way toward improving your investing prowess and learning how to separate out the best investments from the rest.
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