5 Undervalued Chemicals Stocks for Wednesday, October 16

By Jenna Brashear
October 16, 2024
Diamond graphic indicating best value stocks in their industry

Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 5 stocks made the list for top value stocks in the Chemicals 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.

Why Focus on Undervalued Chemicals 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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5 Undervalued Chemicals Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 5 undervalued stocks in the Chemicals industry for Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Chemicals industry median.

Company Ticker Price/Sales Price/Earnings EV/EBITDA Shareholder Yield Price/Book Value Price/Free Cash Flow Value Grade
CN Energy Group. Inc. CNEY 0.01 na na (21.0%) 0.01 na A
Huntsman Corporation HUN 0.69 na 19.5 8.3% 1.16 na B
Itafos Inc. MBCF 0.50 na 2.1 (0.8%) 0.89 5.7 A
Methanex Corporation MEOH 0.77 19.1 8.2 2.3% 1.27 13.5 B
NewMarket Corporation NEU 1.85 12.3 8.2 2.1% 4.67 12.9 B

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.

CN Energy Group. Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score CNEY Industry Median
Price/Sales 0 0.01 1.38
Price/Earnings na na 26.5
EV/EBITDA na na 12.2
Shareholder Yield 85 (21.0%) 1.5%
Price/Book Value 0 0.01 1.66
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 21.9

CN Energy Group. Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and supply of wood-based activated carbon primarily in China. The company’s activated carbon is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, water purification, environmental protection, and food and beverage production. It also engages in the generation and supply of biomass electricity; production of steam for heating; sale of minerals, stone, metal materials, construction materials, wood, chemical materials and products, rubber products, and paper products; management and conversion of forest and natural ecosystem; and forest acquisition, rights transfer, and nurturing, and timber harvesting and processing activities. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Lishui, China.

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.

CN Energy Group. Inc. has a Value Score of 87, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at CN Energy Group. Inc.’s price-to-sales ratio at 0.01 compared to the industry median at 1.38, this company has a lower price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make CN Energy Group. Inc.’s stock more attractive for value investors.

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. CN Energy Group. Inc.’s shareholder yield is lower than its industry median ratio of 1.50%. 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. CN Energy Group. Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 1.66. This could make CN Energy Group. Inc. more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Huntsman Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score HUN Industry Median
Price/Sales 25 0.69 1.38
Price/Earnings na na 26.5
EV/EBITDA 76 19.5 12.2
Shareholder Yield 7 8.3% 1.5%
Price/Book Value 38 1.16 1.66
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 21.9

Huntsman Corporation manufactures and sells diversified organic chemical products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Polyurethanes, Performance Products, and Advanced Materials. The Polyurethanes segment offers polyurethane chemicals, including methyl diphenyl diisocyanate, polyether and polyester polyols, and thermoplastic polyurethane; and aniline, benzene, nitrobenzene and other co-products. The Performance Products segment manufactures amines, such as polyetheramines, ethyleneamines, DGA Agent, JEFFCAT catalysts, and E-GRADE specialty amines and carbonates; and maleic anhydrides. The Advanced Materials segment offers epoxy, phenoxy, acrylic, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-based polymer formulations; and thermoset resins, curing and toughening agents, and carbon nanomaterials. The company provides pre-and post-sales technical service support to customers. Its products are used in a range of applications, including adhesives, aerospace, automotive, construction products, durable and non-durable consumer products, electronics, insulation, packaging, coatings and construction, power generation, and refining, as well as serves the elastomers, insulation, footwear, furniture, industrial, oil and gas, liquid natural gas transport, printed circuit boards, consumer, appliances, electrical power transmission and distribution, recreational sports equipment, and medical appliances markets. The company sells its products through a network of distributors and agents. Huntsman Corporation was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.

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.

Huntsman Corporation has a Value Score of 71, which is considered to be undervalued.

Huntsman Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Huntsman Corporation less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.66.

You can read more about Huntsman 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.

Itafos Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score MBCF Industry Median
Price/Sales 19 0.50 1.38
Price/Earnings na na 26.5
EV/EBITDA 5 2.1 12.2
Shareholder Yield 58 (0.8%) 1.5%
Price/Book Value 27 0.89 1.66
Price/Free Cash Flow 12 5.7 21.9

Itafos Inc. operates as a phosphate and specialty fertilizer company. It operates through Conda, Arrais, and Development and Exploration segments. The company produces and sells monoammonium phosphate (MAP), MAP with micronutrients, superphosphoric acid, merchant grade phosphoric acid, ammonium polyphosphate, hydrofluorosilicic acid, direct application phosphate rock, single superphosphate (SSP), SSP with micronutrients, and sulfuric acid. It also owns interests in the Farim, a phosphate mine project situated in Farim, Guinea-Bissau; Araxá, a rare earth element and niobium mine and extraction plant project that is situated in Minas Gerais, Brazil; Arraias, an integrated phosphate fertilizer project located in Tocantins, Brazil; and Santana, an integrated phosphate mine and fertilizer plant project located in Pará, Brazil. The company was formerly known as MBAC Fertilizer Corp. and changed its name to Itafos Inc. in December 2016. Itafos Inc. is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

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.

Itafos Inc. has a Value Score of 92, which is considered to be undervalued.

Itafos Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Itafos Inc. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.66.

You can read more about Itafos 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.

Methanex Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score MEOH Industry Median
Price/Sales 27 0.77 1.38
Price/Earnings 49 19.1 26.5
EV/EBITDA 29 8.2 12.2
Shareholder Yield 30 2.3% 1.5%
Price/Book Value 41 1.27 1.66
Price/Free Cash Flow 35 13.5 21.9

Methanex Corporation produces and supplies methanol in China, Europe, the United States, South America, South Korea, Canada, and Asia. The company also purchases methanol produced by others under methanol offtake contracts and on the spot market. In addition, it owns and leases storage and terminal facilities. The company owns and manages a fleet of approximately 30 ocean-going vessels. It serves chemical and petrochemical producers. Methanex Corporation was incorporated in 1968 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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.

Methanex Corporation has a Value Score of 74, which is considered to be undervalued.

Methanex Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 19.1 compared to the industry median at 26.5. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Methanex Corporation more attractive for value investors.

Methanex Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Methanex Corporation less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.66.

You can read more about Methanex 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.

NewMarket Corporation’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score NEU Industry Median
Price/Sales 49 1.85 1.38
Price/Earnings 28 12.3 26.5
EV/EBITDA 29 8.2 12.2
Shareholder Yield 31 2.1% 1.5%
Price/Book Value 80 4.67 1.66
Price/Free Cash Flow 33 12.9 21.9

NewMarket Corporation, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the manufacture and sale of petroleum additives. The company offers lubricant additives for use in various vehicle and industrial applications, including engine oils, transmission fluids, off-road powertrain and hydraulic systems, gear oils, hydraulic oils, turbine oils, and other applications where metal-to-metal moving parts are utilized; engine oil additives designed for passenger cars, motorcycles, on and off-road heavy duty commercial equipment, locomotives, and engines in ocean-going vessels; driveline additives designed for products, such as transmission fluids, axle fluids, and off-road powertrain fluids; and industrial additives designed for products for industrial applications consisting of hydraulic fluids, grease, industrial gear fluids, and industrial specialty applications, such as turbine oils. It also provides fuel additives that are used to enhance the oil refining process and the performance of gasoline, diesel, biofuels, and other fuels to industry, government, original equipment manufacturers, and individual customers. In addition, the company engages in the marketing of antiknock compounds, as well as contracted manufacturing and services activities; and owns and manages a real property in Virginia. It operates in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. NewMarket Corporation was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

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.

NewMarket Corporation has a Value Score of 61, which is considered to be undervalued.

NewMarket Corporation’s price-earnings ratio is 12.3 compared to the industry median at 26.5. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes NewMarket Corporation more attractive for value investors.

NewMarket Corporation’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make NewMarket Corporation more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.66.

You can read more about NewMarket 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.

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Other Chemicals 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 Chemicals stocks as well as other industrys.

Choosing Which of the 5 Best Chemicals 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.

  • CN Energy Group. Inc. stock has a Value Grade of A.
  • Huntsman Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • Itafos Inc. stock has a Value Grade of A.
  • Methanex Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • NewMarket Corporation stock has a Value Grade of B.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 5 undervalued stocks in the Chemicals 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.

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Additional Resources About Chemicals Stocks

Want to learn more about Chemicals 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.

AAII Disclaimer

We make no representations or warranties that any investor will, or is likely to, achieve profits similar to those shown, because past, hypothetical or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Before making an investment decision, you should consider your circumstances and whether the information on our content is applicable to your situation. This information was prepared in good faith and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions. The full disclaimer can be read here.



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