Westlake Chemical

Westlake Chemical Partners LP earns a 3-star quantitative star rating, illustrating our stance that this share class is a balanced choice, but prudent investors should consider looking elsewhere. The stock currently trades at a 8% discount to our quantitative fair value estimate of $23.36 per share, which is reinforced by this estimate's low uncertainty rating. We require the price/fair value ratio to move a certain amount before the star rating can change. This stability-enhancing buffer is in effect for this stock.

The company's valuation metrics bolster our estimated fair value. 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 enterprise value to market value ratio of 2.2, which sits in the top 20% globally. While highly leveraged firms can be risky, they can also be highly rewarding. This company's high enterprise value relative to its market value suggests that wise investments will yield outsize returns for investors. We believe this is a sign that shares could be cheap.

The firm's profitability is an additional encouraging factor. Highly profitable companies are often more resilient in recessions and are likely to generate stronger future cash flows for shareholders. The firm's earnings yield of 8.3%, a core component of profitability, ranks in the top 30% compared with peers globally. This suggests that it is generating substantial earnings relative to its share price, which further promotes our favorable price/fair value ratio.

In addition to the aforementioned drivers, our model considers momentum as part of its comprehensive analysis. This share class has outperformed the broader universe over the past year. While we believe the stock is undervalued, this outperformance had a negative impact on our valuation estimate.

With its quantitative economic moat rating of none, we do not expect this company to materially outearn its cost of capital in the long run. Additionally, the firm's moderate financial health score suggests it is acceptably positioned against adverse economic circumstances.