6 Undervalued Machinery Stocks for Thursday, October 24

By Jenna Brashear
October 24, 2024
Diamond graphic indicating best value stocks in their industry
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Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 6 stocks made the list for top value stocks in the Machinery 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 Machinery 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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6 Undervalued Machinery Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 6 undervalued stocks in the Machinery industry for Thursday, October 24, 2024. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Machinery industry median.

Company Ticker Price/Sales Price/Earnings EV/EBITDA Shareholder Yield Price/Book Value Price/Free Cash Flow Value Grade
Astec Industries, Inc. ASTE 0.54 na 9.7 1.4% 1.07 na A
The Eastern Company EML 0.74 16.9 7.6 1.4% 1.52 15.3 B
JE Cleantech Holdings Limited JCSE 0.36 16.6 8.8 (1.6%) 0.39 5.7 A
LiqTech International, Inc. LIQT 0.64 na na (2.6%) 0.67 na B
Manitex International, Inc. MNTX 0.39 10.8 7.1 (0.8%) 1.46 40.7 B
AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. UAVS 0.03 na na (157.5%) 0.05 na 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.

Astec Industries, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score ASTE Industry Median
Price/Sales 20 0.54 1.34
Price/Earnings na na 21.9
EV/EBITDA 37 9.7 13.1
Shareholder Yield 35 1.4% 0.2%
Price/Book Value 34 1.07 2.19
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 26.4

Astec Industries, Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets equipment and components used primarily in road building and related construction activities worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Infrastructure Solutions and Materials Solutions. The Infrastructure Solutions segment offers asphalt plants and related components, heaters, concrete dust control systems, asphalt pavers, vaporizers, concrete material handling systems, screeds, heat recovery units, paste back-fill plants, asphalt storage tanks, hot oil heaters, bagging plants, fuel storage tanks, industrial and asphalt burners and systems, custom batch plants, material transfer vehicles, soil stabilizing-reclaiming machinery, blower trucks and trailers, milling machines, soil remediation plants, wood chippers and grinders, pump trailers, concrete batch plants, control systems, liquid terminals, storage equipment and related parts, construction and retrofits, polymer plants, and concrete mixers, as well as engineering and environmental permitting services. This segment provides its products to asphalt producers; highway and heavy equipment contractors; utility contractors; sand and gravel producers; construction, demolition, recycle and crushing contractors; forestry and environmental recycling contractors; mine and quarry operators; port and inland terminal authorities; power stations; and domestic and foreign government agencies. The Materials Solutions segment designs and manufactures crushing equipment, mobile plants, bulk material handling solutions, vibrating equipment, screening equipment, electrical control centers, modular plants and systems, conveying equipment, plant automation products, portable plants, and mineral processing equipment, as well as offers consulting and engineering services. The company was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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.

Astec Industries, Inc. has a Value Score of 81, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at Astec Industries, Inc.’s price-to-sales ratio at 0.54 compared to the industry median at 1.34, this company has a lower price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make Astec Industries, Inc.’s stock more attractive for value investors.

Now, let’s assess Astec Industries, Inc.’s EV/EBITDA ratio, also known as enterprise multiple. At 9.7, when compared to the industry median of 13.1, 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. Astec Industries, Inc.’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 0.20%. 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. Astec Industries, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 2.19. This could make Astec Industries, Inc. more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

The Eastern Company’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score EML Industry Median
Price/Sales 26 0.74 1.34
Price/Earnings 44 16.9 21.9
EV/EBITDA 25 7.6 13.1
Shareholder Yield 35 1.4% 0.2%
Price/Book Value 48 1.52 2.19
Price/Free Cash Flow 40 15.3 26.4

The Eastern Company designs, manufactures, and sells engineered solutions to industrial markets in the United States and internationally. The company offers turnkey returnable packaging solutions, which are used in the assembly processes of vehicles, aircraft, and durable goods, as well as in production processes of plastic packaging products, packaged consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals; designs and manufactures blow mold tools and injection blow mold tooling products, and 2-step stretch blow molds and related components for the stretch blow molding industry; and supplies blow molds and change parts to the food, beverage, healthcare, and chemical industries. It also provides rotary latches, compression latches, draw latches, hinges, camlocks, key switches, padlocks, and handles; and development and program management services for custom electromechanical and mechanical systems for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and customer applications. In addition, the company designs and manufactures proprietary vision technology for OEMs and aftermarket applications, as well as offers aftermarket components to the heavy- and medium-duty truck, motorhome, and bus markets. The Eastern Company was founded in 1858 and is based in Shelton, Connecticut.

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.

The Eastern Company has a Value Score of 71, which is considered to be undervalued.

The Eastern Company’s price-earnings ratio is 16.9 compared to the industry median at 21.9. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes The Eastern Company more attractive for value investors.

The Eastern Company’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make The Eastern Company less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.19.

You can read more about The Eastern Company’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.

JE Cleantech Holdings Limited’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score JCSE Industry Median
Price/Sales 14 0.36 1.34
Price/Earnings 43 16.6 21.9
EV/EBITDA 32 8.8 13.1
Shareholder Yield 63 (1.6%) 0.2%
Price/Book Value 10 0.39 2.19
Price/Free Cash Flow 12 5.7 26.4

JE Cleantech Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells cleaning systems for various industrial end-use applications in Singapore, Malaysia, and internationally. It provides various cleaning systems and other equipment, including aqueous washing systems, plating and cleaning systems, train cleaning systems, and filtration units, as well as equipment parts and components. The company also offers centralized dishwashing services for food and beverage establishments, such as food courts, hawker centers, restaurants, cookhouses, eldercare homes, and inflight catering service provider, as well as general cleaning services for food courts and hawker centers. In addition, it leases dishware washing equipment. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Singapore. JE Cleantech Holdings Limited is a subsidiary of JE Cleantech Global 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.

JE Cleantech Holdings Limited has a Value Score of 85, which is considered to be undervalued.

JE Cleantech Holdings Limited’s price-earnings ratio is 16.6 compared to the industry median at 21.9. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes JE Cleantech Holdings Limited more attractive for value investors.

JE Cleantech Holdings Limited’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make JE Cleantech Holdings Limited less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.19.

You can read more about JE Cleantech Holdings Limited’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.

LiqTech International, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score LIQT Industry Median
Price/Sales 23 0.64 1.34
Price/Earnings na na 21.9
EV/EBITDA na na 13.1
Shareholder Yield 68 (2.6%) 0.2%
Price/Book Value 19 0.67 2.19
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 26.4

LiqTech International, Inc., a clean technology company, designs, develops, produces, markets, and sells automated filtering systems, ceramic silicon carbide liquid applications, and diesel particulate air filters in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America. The company operates through Water, Ceramics, and Plastics segments. It also manufactures and sells silicon carbide ceramic filtration technologies for liquid and gas purification; and diesel particulate filters for exhaust emission control solutions to the verified retrofit and the original equipment manufacturer market. In addition, the company develops, manufactures, and sells liquid filtration systems, which are used for the marine scrubber systems, filtration of produced water, industrial applications, pool and spa water, food and beverage application, and silicon carbide membrane technology. Further, it provides flexible and plastics manufacturing products for machining, welding, bending, and solvent cementing. LiqTech International, Inc. sells its products primarily to industrial customers through direct sales, systems integrators, distributors, agents, and partners. The company was formerly known as Blue Moose Media, Inc. and changed its name to LiqTech International, Inc. in October 2011. LiqTech International, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Ballerup, Denmark.

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.

LiqTech International, Inc. has a Value Score of 71, which is considered to be undervalued.

LiqTech International, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make LiqTech International, Inc. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.19.

You can read more about LiqTech International, 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.

Manitex International, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score MNTX Industry Median
Price/Sales 15 0.39 1.34
Price/Earnings 23 10.8 21.9
EV/EBITDA 21 7.1 13.1
Shareholder Yield 58 (0.8%) 0.2%
Price/Book Value 47 1.46 2.19
Price/Free Cash Flow 75 40.7 26.4

Manitex International, Inc. provides engineered lifting solutions in the United States, Italy, Canada, Chile, France, and internationally. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes products that are used in various industries. It also offers boom trucks, truck cranes, and sign cranes products primarily for use in industrial projects, energy exploration, and infrastructure development comprising roads, bridges, and commercial construction; and truck-mounted aerial platforms. In addition, the company manufactures and sells rough terrain cranes and material handling products; and truck mounted hydraulic knuckle boom cranes; and rents light and heavy-duty commercial construction equipments. It also sells its products through dealers and rental distribution channel. The company was formerly known as Veri-Tek International, Corp. and changed its name to Manitex International, Inc. in May 2008. Manitex International, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Bridgeview, Illinois.

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.

Manitex International, Inc. has a Value Score of 64, which is considered to be undervalued.

Manitex International, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 10.8 compared to the industry median at 21.9. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Manitex International, Inc. more attractive for value investors.

Manitex International, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Manitex International, Inc. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.19.

You can read more about Manitex International, 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.

AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score UAVS Industry Median
Price/Sales 1 0.03 1.34
Price/Earnings na na 21.9
EV/EBITDA na na 13.1
Shareholder Yield 97 (157.5%) 0.2%
Price/Book Value 2 0.05 2.19
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 26.4

AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs and delivers autonomous unmanned aerial systems worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Drones; Sensors; and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). It offers unmanned aerial vehicles under the eBee Ag, eBee Geo, eBee TAC, eBee X, and eBee VISION brands; and sensor solutions, such as Altum-PT, RedEdge-P, Aeria X, Duet M, Duet T, S.O.D.A., and S.O.D.A. 3D sensors. The company also provides software solutions comprising Ground Control, an operating system that automates and scales drone for individual pilots and large enterprises; eMotion, a drone flight and data management solution for aerial mapping use; and HempOverview, an advanced aerial-image-based data collection and analytics solution. It serves agriculture, military/defense, public safety, surveying/mapping, and utilities/engineering industries. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.

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.

AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. has a Value Score of 78, which is considered to be undervalued.

AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc.’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 2.19.

You can read more about AgEagle Aerial Systems, 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.

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Other Machinery 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 Machinery stocks as well as other industrys.

Choosing Which of the 6 Best Machinery 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.

  • Astec Industries, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of A.
  • The Eastern Company stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • JE Cleantech Holdings Limited stock has a Value Grade of A.
  • LiqTech International, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • Manitex International, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. stock has a Value Grade of B.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 6 undervalued stocks in the Machinery 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 Machinery Stocks

Want to learn more about Machinery 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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