LONDON -- I'm always searching for shares that can help ordinary investors like you make money from the stock market.
Right now I am trawling through the FTSE 100 and giving my verdict on every member of the blue chip index.
I hope to pinpoint the very best buying opportunities in today's uncertain market, as well as highlight those shares I feel you should hold… and those I feel you should sell!
I'm assessing every share on five different measures. Here's what I'm looking for in each company:
- Financial strength: Low levels of debt and other liabilities
- Profitability: Consistent earnings and high profit margins
- Management: Competent executives creating shareholder value
- Long-term prospects: A solid competitive position and respectable growth prospects
- Valuation: An underrated share price
A look at Tesco
Today I'm evaluating Tesco
1. Financial strength: Tesco has relatively modest gearing with net debt of 52% of tangible equity. The balance sheet is solid, backed up by property assets worth 36 billion pounds and interest cover of 15. I do not foresee any problems with liquidity as free cash flow generation has been strong -- averaging 2.5 billion pounds the past three years -- and will only improve with the company's intention to decrease capital expenditures and keep it below 5% of sales the next few years.
2. Profitability: Tesco's performance this past decade has been impressive, consistently delivering ROEs of 16%, compounding sales by 10% and earnings by 12% annually, while keeping operating margins at 6%. For the past five years, international sales and operating profits have grown by 14% and 8% per annum, respectively. Also, the company's online retail business has been highly successful, with Tesco now the world's largest and most profitable online grocer with revenues of well over 2 billion pounds. Moreover, the company has profited from its strategy of releasing the value of its property portfolio, gradually selling off property assets the last few years.
3. Management: After 14 years, CEO Terry Leahy has stepped down and has been replaced by Philip Clarke on March 2011. Admittedly, Leahy will be a tough act to follow -- during his tenure, sales have more than doubled and earnings have tripled, while the business has expanded into 13 countries, in the process becoming the world's third largest retailer. Nevertheless, Philip Clarke appears to be an able replacement -- he has been with Tesco for 36 years and was a huge part in the company's expansion into the international market.
4. Long-term prospects: Despite its recent struggles, Tesco still leads the U.K. with a market share of 30%, followed by Wal-Mart's ASDA on 17%, Sainsbury's 16%, and William Morrison's 12%. It has invested 1 billion pounds to revitalize U.K. operations, while its international business has been growing rapidly and now accounts for 32% of revenues. In fact, the company has managed to become the leader in most of its markets outside the U.K.
5. Valuation: Tesco's current market cap of 28 billion pounds is significantly lower than the current market value of its properties pegged at 36 billion pounds. Its forward price-to-earnings ratio of 10 is at the lower end of its 10-year historical P/E ratio, and it currently gives an attractive dividend yield of 4.39%.
My verdict on Tesco
Although past performance is not indicative of future results, I believe Tesco can duplicate last decade's performance. Its fundamentals remain solid despite recent struggles in the U.K., while its international operations, burgeoning general merchandise and retail services -- banking, telecom and online store -- and property development strategy provide huge growth potential. Furthermore, the market value of its properties provides a significant margin of safety while its stable dividend yield, which has been growing by 10% for the past 10 years by the way, will reward investors while waiting.
So overall, I believe Tesco at 346 pence looks like a buy.
More FTSE opportunities
Alongside Tesco, I am also positive on the blue chips highlighted in "The Market's Top Sectors." This special report sees three Motley Fool Share Advisor analysts each studying a favorable industry -- and spotlighting a particular share to consider for this year and beyond.
Various opportunities are covered in the report. One might provide "solid returns and... nice dividends," another could offer "global diversification and long-term growth potential," while a third looks at a "high-quality business" from a battered sector.
You can read "The Market's Top Sectors" today by requesting the report for free. But hurry, the report is available for a limited time only.
In the meantime, please stay tuned for my next verdict on a FTSE 100 share.
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