Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 7 stocks made the list for top value stocks in the Business Support Services industry. Those looking for value stocks to add to their portfolio may want to use this list as a starting point for further investment research.

Latest Business Support Services Stock News

Before choosing which top Business Support Services stock to buy, be sure to conduct proper due diligence: analyze various financial metrics and look at historical data, public statements and news coverage.

The fundamental outlook for the business support services industry is neutral. Participants across the sub-industry carry out a wide scope of applications, including payments for goods and services, human resource (HR) payroll processing, and outsourcing. A variety of factors including inflation, pandemic-related impacts and geopolitical tensions have created a difficult set of obstacles for companies to maneuver. However, companies have largely recovered from pandemic-related impacts. Companies overly exposed to consumer groups have experienced larger inflationary pressures. Contractionary measures such as the Federal Reserve continuing to raise interest rates could further dampen consumer spending. It will be important that no other exogenous events emerge, such as intensified geopolitical conflicts disrupting the ongoing recovery in TPV (third party verification), employment levels, etc. Underlying payment economics likely flip to tailwinds as value-added services (VAS) revenue lines help fill the void and provide a “cushion” for upside, especially if other verticals or regions temporarily relax in the interim.

Why Focus on Undervalued Business Support Services Stocks?

Value investors seek to buy stocks at a discount to their intrinsic value. Long-term returns show that such strategies are advantageous. Value stocks, as a group, tend to outperform growth stocks over extended periods of time. Typically, value investors perform financial analysis of numerous metrics, don’t follow the herd and are long-term investors.

AAII’s A+ Investor Value Grade is derived from a stock’s Value Score. The Value Score is the percentile rank of the average of the percentile ranks of the price-to-sales ratio, price-earnings ratio, enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, shareholder yield, price-to-book-value ratio and price-to-free-cash-flow ratio. The score is variable, meaning it can consider all six ratios or, should any of the six ratios not be valid, the remaining ratios that are valid. To be assigned a Value Score, stocks must have a valid (non-null) ratio and corresponding ranking for at least two of the six valuation ratios.

What Goes Into AAII’s Value Grade?

Stock evaluation requires access to huge amounts of data as well as the knowledge and time to sift through it all, make sense of financial ratios, read income statements and analyze recent stock movement. AAII created A+ Investor, a robust data suite that condenses data research in an actionable and customizable way suitable for investors of all knowledge levels, to help investors with that task.

AAII’s proprietary stock grades come with A+ Investor. These offer intuitive A–F grades for more than just value. It is possible for a stock to appear cheap based on one valuation metric but appear expensive on another. It is also possible for one valuation ratio to be associated with outperforming stocks during certain periods of time but not others. Some stocks may even have null values for certain metrics like the price-earnings ratio or the price-to-book ratio but not others. An example of this would be a company with losses instead of profits or a negative book value because of heavy borrowing. Negative earnings or book value result in non-meaningful ratios that are left blank or null.

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7 Undervalued Business Support Services Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 7 undervalued stocks in the Business Support Services industry for Friday, February 09, 2024. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Business Support Services industry median.

The Value Grade is assigned based on how each stock’s composite valuation compares to all other stocks.

The process for assigning grades starts with each variable for a given stock. The percentile rankings for all valid ratios that a stock has are calculated. So, for instance, a stock could have a price-to-book ranking in the 43rd percentile, a price-earnings ranking in the 67th percentile, a price-to-sales ranking in the 23rd percentile, etc. Then, those rankings are averaged for each stock. (A minimum of two valid variables are required, though all six will be used if available.)

Once the average of the individual variables is calculated, that average is ranked against all stocks. Put another way, each stock’s composite valuation is compared to all other stocks. These ranks are then sorted into quintiles from the cheapest 20% (a grade of A) to the most expensive 20% (a grade of F).

As always, we recommend that you conduct proper due diligence and research before investing in any security. We also suggest that investors utilize numerous grades, not just value, when it comes to deciding whether a company is a good fit for their allocation needs.

ABM Industries Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

ABM Industries Incorporated is a provider of integrated facility, infrastructure, and mobility solutions. Its segments include Business & Industry (B&I;), Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D;), Education, Aviation, and Technical Solutions. B&I; segment includes janitorial, facilities engineering, and parking services for commercial real estate properties, sports and entertainment venues, and non-acute healthcare facilities. M&D; segment provides facility services, engineering, janitorial, and other specialized services in manufacturing and distribution. Education segment delivers custodial, landscaping and grounds, facilities engineering, and parking services for public school districts, private schools, colleges, and universities. Aviation segment supports airlines and airports with services ranging from parking and janitorial to passenger assistance, catering logistics, air cabin maintenance and transportation. Technical Solutions segment includes mechanical and electrical services.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

ABM Industries Inc has a Value Score of 80, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at ABM Industries Inc’s price-to-sales ratio at 0.32 compared to the industry median at 1.81, this company has a lower price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make ABM Industries Inc’s stock more attractive for value investors.

ABM Industries Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 10.65 compared to the industry median at 26.37. This means it has a lower share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make ABM Industries Inc more attractive for value investors.

Now, let’s assess ABM Industries Inc’s EV/EBITDA ratio, also known as enterprise multiple. At 7.2, when compared to the industry median of 10.8, the company may be considered undervalued in relation to its peers. Value investors could use the enterprise multiple to identify stocks that are considered overvalued or undervalued relative to their industry.

Shareholder yield is the sum of a stock’s dividend yield (paid over previous 12 months minus special dividends) and the percentage of net share buybacks over the previous 12 months. ABM Industries Inc’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 0.00%. Value investors may look for an attractive shareholder yield because it can be a powerful tool for identifying if the company has a good management team.

As one of the most common value metrics, the price-to-book ratio evaluates a company’s current market price relative to its book value. ABM Industries Inc’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 2.65. This could make ABM Industries Inc more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Lastly, let’s take a look at ABM Industries Inc’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio (P/FCF), which can indicate a company’s market value relative to its operating cash flow. ABM Industries Inc’s price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is higher than its industry median ratio of 14.85. This could make ABM Industries Inc less attractive because the higher P/FCF ratio indicates that ABM Industries Inc is undervalued. The P/FCF ratio metric can also be viewed over a long-term time frame to see if the company's cash flow to share price value is generally improving or worsening.

C3is Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

C3is Inc. is a Greece-based entity, incorporated in Marshall Islands, primarily engaged in seaborne transportation services to drybulk charterer for both national and private clients. The Company acts as a holding company and operates through its two subsidiaries. The Company's fleet consists of two handysize drybulk carriers: Eco Bushfire and Eco Angelbay.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

C3is Inc has a Value Score of 100, which is considered to be undervalued.

C3is Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 1.0 compared to the industry median at 26.4. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes C3is Inc more attractive for value investors.

C3is Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make C3is Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.65.

You can read more about C3is Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Euronet Worldwide Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Euronet Worldwide, Inc. is an electronic payment processing provider. The Company operates through three segments: Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) Processing, epay and Money Transfer. Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) Processing segment provides comprehensive electronic payment solutions consisting of automated teller machine (ATM) cash withdrawal and deposit services, ATM network participation, outsourced ATM and point-of-sale (POS) management solutions, credit, debit and prepaid card outsourcing, and card issuing and merchant acquiring services. Epay segment provides distribution and processing of prepaid mobile airtime and other electronic content and payment processing services for various prepaid products, cards and services throughout its worldwide distribution network. Money Transfer segment provides global consumer-to-consumer money transfer services, primarily under the brand names Ria, AFEX, and IME, and global account-to-account money transfer services under the brand name xe.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Euronet Worldwide Inc has a Value Score of 61, which is considered to be undervalued.

Euronet Worldwide Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 18.6 compared to the industry median at 26.4. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Euronet Worldwide Inc more attractive for value investors.

Euronet Worldwide Inc’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Euronet Worldwide Inc more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.65.

You can read more about Euronet Worldwide Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

H&E; Equipment Services, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

H&E; Equipment Services, Inc. is a rental equipment company. The Company’s segments include equipment rentals, used equipment sales, new equipment sales, parts sales, and repair and maintenance services. Its equipment rentals segment rents its core types of construction and industrial equipment. Its used equipment sales segment is engaged in the sale of used equipment from its rental fleet, as well as from sales of inventoried equipment. Its new equipment sales segment is engaged in selling equipment through a professional in-house retail sales force. Its parts sales segment offers parts for its own rental fleet and sells parts for the equipment it sells. Its repair and maintenance services segment provides services for its own rental fleet and for its customer's owned equipment. It offers ongoing preventative maintenance services. It operates 139 branch locations across 30 states. It serves branches throughout the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Southwest, and Gulf Coast, among others.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

H&E; Equipment Services, Inc. has a Value Score of 71, which is considered to be undervalued.

H&E; Equipment Services, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 11.7 compared to the industry median at 26.4. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes H&E; Equipment Services, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

H&E; Equipment Services, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make H&E; Equipment Services, Inc. more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.65.

You can read more about H&E; Equipment Services, Inc.’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Multiplan Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

MultiPlan Corporation is a provider of data analytics and technology-enabled solutions to the United States healthcare industry. Its Analytics-Based Services is a suite of data-driven algorithms and insights that detect claims over-charges and either negotiate or recommend fair reimbursement for out-of-network medical costs using a variety of data sources and pricing algorithms. Its Network-Based Services contracts discounts with healthcare providers to form an independent preferred provider organizations (PPO), as well as outsourced network development and/or management services. Its Payment and Revenue Integrity Services provides data, technology and clinical solutions deployed to identify and remove improper and unnecessary charges before or after claims are paid, or to identify and help restore and preserve underpaid premium dollars. Its Software as a Service (SaaS) platform ingests, validates, and stores data and applies advanced descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Multiplan Corp has a Value Score of 75, which is considered to be undervalued.

Multiplan Corp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Multiplan Corp less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.65.

You can read more about Multiplan Corp’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Usio Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Usio, Inc. provides integrated payment processing services to merchants and businesses. It provides various types of automated clearing house (ACH), processing, credit, prepaid card and debit card-based processing services. It offers customizable prepaid cards companies use for expense management, incentives, refunds, claims and disbursements, different forms of compensation like per diems, and more. It also offers prepaid cards to consumers for use as a tool to stay on budget, manage allowances and share money with family and friends. The Company?s Card platform supports Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. Its PIN-less debit product allows merchants to debit and credit accounts in real-time. Through its Akimbo Now technology it offers money disbursement platform that allows businesses to pay their contractors, employees, or other recipients by choosing between a prepaid debit Mastercard, real-time deposit to a checking account, traditional ACH, direct deposit or paper check.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Usio Inc has a Value Score of 63, which is considered to be undervalued.

Usio Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Usio Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.65.

You can read more about Usio Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Willis Lease Finance Corporation, along with its subsidiaries, is a lessor and servicer of commercial aircraft and aircraft engines. The Company operates through two segments: Leasing and Related Operations, and Spare Parts Sales. The Leasing and Related Operations segment involves acquiring and leasing, primarily pursuant to operating leases, commercial aircraft, aircraft engines and other aircraft equipment and the selective purchase and resale of commercial aircraft engines and other aircraft equipment and other related businesses. The Spare Parts Sales segment involves the purchase and resale of after-market engine parts, whole engines, engine modules and portable aircraft components. The Spare Parts Sales segment also enables the Company to provide end-of-life solutions for surplus aircraft and engines, as well as manage the full lifecycle of its lease assets. Its subsidiaries include WEST Engine Funding LLC, Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. and Willis Asset Management Limited.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation has a Value Score of 82, which is considered to be undervalued.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 7.5 compared to the industry median at 26.4. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Willis Lease Finance Corporation more attractive for value investors.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Willis Lease Finance Corporation less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.65.

You can read more about Willis Lease Finance Corporation’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Other Business Support Services Stock Grades

Value is just one of the five Stock Grades included in our A+ Investor service. AAII members can see the top-graded stocks—those with grades of A or B for value, growth, momentum, earnings estimate revisions and quality—on the A+ Stock Grades Screener.

Also, if you want full access to all of AAII’s premium services, you can subscribe to one convenient bundled plan called AAII Platinum where you can try out A+ Investor, AAII Dividend Investing, the Stock Superstars Report, Growth Investing and VMQ Stocks. With the other premium services, you can dive deep into additional metrics, portfolios, commentary and information about Business Support Services stocks as well as other industrys.

Choosing Which of the 7 Best Business Support Services Stocks Is Right for You

Choosing which value stocks to invest in will ultimately depend on your individual goals and allocation; however, comparing similar value stocks in the same industry can help you analyze which might be better investments for you in the long run. So, let’s take a look at the Value Grade for all of our stocks.

• ABM Industries Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.
• C3is Inc stock has a Value Grade of A.
• Euronet Worldwide Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.
• H&E; Equipment Services, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Multiplan Corp stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Usio Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.
• Willis Lease Finance Corporation stock has a Value Grade of A.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 7 undervalued stocks in the Business Support Services industry as well as their overall grades, it’s time for you to conduct additional research to see if these could fit your portfolio needs based on your goals and risk tolerance. AAII can help you figure out both and identify which investments align with what works best for you.

We do so through a program of education that teaches you to invest for yourself and become an effective manager of your own wealth—no more relying on others for your financial independence. You can rely on AAII for timeless articles on financial planning and stock-picking, unbiased research and actionable analysis that makes you a better investor.

A+ Investor adds to that qualitative teaching by giving you a powerful data suite that helps you whittle down investment decisions to find stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that meet your needs.

Additional Resources About Business Support Services Stocks

Want to learn more about Business Support Services stocks to see if they could be the right investment for you? Check out some additional resources and articles to help you on your financial journey.

• 7 Undervalued Business Support Services Stocks for Friday, February 09
• 3 Undervalued Business Support Services Stocks for Thursday, February 08
• What You Need to Know About Genpact Ltd's Q4 Earnings
• What You Need to Know About WEX Inc's Q4 Earnings

AAII Disclaimer

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