Navient

At face value, Navient Corp looks inexpensive, following a substantial price decline over the past year. To account for the risk of a possible value trap, we have capped its rating at 3 stars. The stock currently trades at a 31% discount to our quantitative fair value estimate of $13.12 per share; however, caution is warranted due to this estimate's high uncertainty rating.

The firm's valuation metrics increase our fair value estimate. A company's valuation metrics provide insights into the market's expectations for its future growth and profitability. Reflecting the firm's valuation is its book value yield of 278.2%, which falls in the top 10% compared with peers globally. The market price is low relative to the book (accounting) value of the company's equity, which contributes to our view that shares are undervalued.

Alternatively, the company's lack of profitability is potentially concerning. Companies with low profitability are often less resilient in recessions and are likely to generate weaker future cash flows for shareholders. The firm's earnings yield of -3.6%, for example, sits in the bottom 20% globally. The earnings generated by the company relative to its share price is concerning, which, despite our favorable price/fair value ratio, is a negative attribute.

The company's quantitative economic moat rating of none suggests any excess returns could erode quickly as competition arrives. Additionally, the firm's moderate financial health score suggests it is acceptably positioned against adverse economic circumstances.