Ride on DuPont Analysis With 5 Top Stocks

In a market where complacency levels may falter any time thanks to central banks’ moves, geo-political concerns and macroeconomic issues, picking the right stock is a challenge. The return-on-equity metric goes a long way in resolving this issue.

The metric enables investors to differentiate between a profit-churner and a profit-burner. It is a profitability ratio that measures the earnings that a company generates from its equity.

But to fine-tune this basic concept, one can land on DuPont analysis. This theory will take investors a step higher and better pick some quality stocks. 

Here is how DuPont breaks down ROE into its different components:

ROE = Net Income/Equity

Net Income / Equity = (Net Income / Sales) * (Sales / Assets) * (Assets / Equity)

ROE = Profit Margin * Asset Turnover Ratio * Equity Multiplier

Why Use DuPont?

Although one can’t play down the importance of normal ROE calculation, the fact remains that it doesn’t always provide a complete picture. The DuPont analysis, on the other hand, allows investors to assess the elements that play a dominant role in any change in ROE. It can help investors to segregate companies having higher margins from those having high turnover. For example, high-end fashion brands generally survive on high margin as compared with retail goods, which rely on higher turnover.

In fact, it also sheds light on the company’s leverage status, which can go a long way in selecting stocks poised for gains. A lofty ROE could be due to the overuse of debt. Thus, the strength of a company can be misleading if it has a high debt load.

So, an investor confined solely to an ROE perspective may be confused if he or she has to judge between two stocks of equal ratio. This is where DuPont analysis wins over and spots the better stock.

Investors can simply do this analysis by taking a look at the company’s financials.However, looking at financial statements of each company separately can be a tedious task. Screening tools like Zacks Research Wizard can come to your rescue and help you shortlist the stocks that look impressive with a DuPont analysis.

Screening Parameters

• Profit Margin more than or equal to 3: As the name suggests, it is a measure of how profitably the business is running. Generally, it is the key contributor to ROE.

• Asset Turnover Ratio more than or equal to 2: It allows an investor to assess management’s efficiency in using assets to drive sales.

• Equity Multiplier between 1 and 3: It’s an indication of how much debt the company uses to finance its assets.

• Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2: Stocks having a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) generally perform better than their peers in all types of market environment.

• Current Price more than $5: This screens out the low priced stocks. However, when looking for lower priced stocks, this criterion can be removed.

Here are five of the 18 stocks that made it through the screen:

Amedisys Inc. AMED: This Zacks Rank #1 company is a provider of healthcare in the home. It belongs to a top-ranked Zacks industry (top 39%).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Marine Products Corporation MPX: This is the third-largest distributor of sterndrive powerboats in the United States. It has a Zacks Rank #1 and belongs to a top-ranked Zacks industry (top 26%).

Foot Locker Inc. FL: The Zacks Rank #2 company is a leading global retailer of athletically inspired shoes and apparel. It hails from a top-ranked Zacks industry (top 22%).

Systemax Inc. SYX: The company is a direct marketer of brand name and private label products, including personal desktop. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2. It belongs to a top-ranked Zacks industry (top 24%).

Comfort Systems USA Inc. FIX: This is a provider of heating, ventilation and air conditioning installation and maintenance services. It has a Zacks Rank #1 and belongs to a top-ranked Zacks sector (top 24%).

You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.