3 Growth Stocks That May Present Value Opportunities

Valmont Industries tops the list

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Growth investors may want to consider the following stocks since their price-earnings ratios are less than 20 and they have increased their earnings per share significantly over the past year.

Valmont Industries

The first stock to consider is Valmont Industries Inc. (VMI, Financial).

The Omaha, Nebraska-based producer of fabricated metal products saw its trailing 12-month earnings per diluted share grow by 80.5% over the past year to $7.4 as of the first quarter, up from $4.1 in the prior-year quarter. The price-earnings ratio is 15.4 as of May 29.

Following a 0.8% increase over the past year, the stock was trading at $114 per share at close on Friday for a market capitalization of $2.45 billion. The 52-week range was $82.6 to $154.86.

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Valmont Industries is currently paying a quarterly cash dividend of 45 cents per common share.

GuruFocus assigned a solid rating of 6 out of 10 for the company’s financial strength and a high rating of 8 out of 10 for its profitability.

Wall Street sell-side analysts recommend a hold rating for this stock and have established an average target price of $131 per share.

Euronet Worldwide

The second stock to consider is Euronet Worldwide Inc. (EEFT, Financial).

The Leawood, Kansas-based provider of payment processing solutions saw its trailing 12-month diluted earnings per share grow 27.8% over the past year to $5.66 as of the first quarter, up from $4.43 in the year-ago quarter. The price-earnings ratio stands at 16.74 as of May 29.

Following a 39% decline over the past year, the stock was trading at $94.73 per share at close on Friday for a market capitalization of $4.95 billion. The 52-week range was $61.27 to $171.25.

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Euronet Worldwide does not pay a dividend.

GuruFocus assigned a rating of 6 out of 10 for the company’s financial strength and a rating of 9 out of 10 for its profitability.

Wall Street sell-side analysts issued a buy rating for the stock and have set an average target price of $117.88 per share.

Sempra Energy

The third stock to consider is Sempra Energy (SRE, Financial), a San Diego-based distributor of electricity and natural gas in Southern California and Texas, as well as an operator in energy markets in Mexico.

The company saw its trailing 12-month diluted earnings grow by 133.7% over the past year to $8.18 as of the first quarter, up from $3.5 as of the prior-year quarter. The price-earnings ratio is 15.45 as of May 29.

As a result of nearly 4% fall over the past year, the stock was trading at $126.31 per share at close on Friday for a market capitalization of $36.95 billion. The 52-week range was $88 to $161.87.

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The company is currently paying a quarterly dividend of $1.045 per common share.

GuruFocus assigned a low rating of 3 out of 10 for the company’s financial strength, but a very good rating of 7 out of 10 for its profitability.

Wall Street sell-side analysts issued an overweight rating for the stock and have established an average target price of $139.33 per share.

Disclosure: I have no position in any securities mentioned in this article.

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