We’ve recently been using the GuruFocus Benjamin Graham Net Current Asset Value Screener (subscription required) to generate regular watchlists of net net stocks. The GuruFocus NCAV screen has some superb functionality that makes it possible to create the watchlist from the screen and then track the performance of those stocks. We created our first watchlist on July 7 of this year using the July 6 closing prices. The performance of the stocks in that first watchlist over the last quarter has been nothing short of spectacular. Here is a screen grab (with some columns removed to fit the space below):
We know the market’s been somewhat frothy recently, but those returns are still notable. The average return to date across the nine stocks in the watchlist is 45.5% against the return on the S&P500 of 20.05% over the same period, an outperformance of more than 25% in ~three months. We’ve decided to run another screen today and we’ll track the return of that watchlist over the coming months. The stocks in the watchlist are set out below (again, with a column removed to fit the space below):
We’ve done no research on these firms beyond running the screen. If you plan on buying anything in this screen, at the absolute minimum we recommend that you do some research to determine whether they are currently net net stocks and not just caught in the screen because of out-of-date filings. We’ll compare the performance of the stocks against the S&P500, which closed yesterday at 1,076.18.
[Full Disclosure: We have a holding in FORD. This is neither a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. All information provided believed to be reliable and presented for information purposes only. Do your own research before investing in any security.]
(now without the major errors)
I agree, there appears to be a general lack of good companies on that list. The problem is that the last list showed a large amount of stocks that have consistent and relatively reliable profits. This list is almost devoid of profitable firms (TSRI being one exception). A ncav investment is great if the cash runrate isnt exceeding the margin of safety, otherwise its a pretty rationally priced stock (IV = Market Value).
reg,
Floris
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If you want a free tool check out
http://www.grahaminvestor.com/screens/grahams_result
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RACK – Rackable systems changed their name to Silicon Graphics and ticker SGI. Silicon Graphics and Rackable merged a few months back. The issue is currently trading right around NCAV.
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This list is another sign of a frothy market. Comparing the quality of the net-nets on this list to the July 7th list is a great sign of the relative scarcity of good buys at current valuations. Other than NCTY I have trouble building a good case for the companies..
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