My secret stock filters for finding bargain value shares

Jon Smith talks through the three filters that he uses to find cheap value stocks to buy, along with how to interpret the different ratios used.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Hand of a mature man opening a safety deposit box.

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

As retail investing becomes more and more popular, free services and data sharing have also increased. This means that it’s quite easy to filter for value shares using different ratios online. But it still means that an investor needs to knows the screeners to add in. Here are the filters that I use.

What is a stock filter?

A stock filter is simply a way of sifting through the thousands of shares that I could decide to buy. Before I even start, I have to be clear if I’m targeting dividend, value or growth ideas. Once I’ve settled on my aim (in this case value), I can proceed.

As a disclaimer, all of the ratios used have the goal of providing me with a pool of relevant stocks to choose from. Yet I won’t simply buy without doing any company-specific research. There’s plenty that hard numbers can’t tell me about the state of a sector or the outlook for a business. So it’s important to note that the filters are a supporting guide, not a tool to make a blind purchase.

Passive income stocks: our picks

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

Two initial ratios

The first filter I use is to screen for ratios related to the share price. One is the price-to-book and another is the price-to-sales.

Both try to assess how the current price compares to either the revenue of a business or the book value. If it’s below a certain benchmark, the stock could be flagged as being undervalued.

The book value of a company refers to the net figure after taking away the liabilities from the assets of a firm. If the book value per share relative to the share price is below 1, it usually means the stock is good value.

If the price-to-sales ratio is below 2, again it could indicate a good purchase. This ratio highlights how much value the market assigns to £1 of revenue.

Watch the debt level

An extra filter I add is the debt-to-equity ratio. I think this is really important when trying to find value stocks. After all, a company might have a low price-to-book and price-to-sales ratio. But what if this is because the firm has very high debt levels? It would render the other two points useless.

A figure of 1 or less is considered good, with anything above 2 being a bit concerning. A low number shows me that borrowings aren’t out of control and shouldn’t materially impact the business going forward.

My end goal

With these three filters, I can aim to eliminate a lot of stocks that don’t fit my agenda. More than that, they should help me to find some bargains to buy. Even though I still need to do research, the screening helps to cut down on my time being wasted by looking at companies that don’t fit my value aim.

5 stocks for trying to build wealth after 50

Inflation recently hit 40-year highs… the ‘cost of living crisis’ rumbles on… the prospect of a new Cold War with Russia and China looms large, while the global economy could be teetering on the brink of recession.

Whether you’re a newbie investor or a seasoned pro, deciding which stocks to add to your shopping list can be a daunting prospect during such unprecedented times. Yet despite the stock market’s recent gains, we think many shares still trade at a discount to their true value.

Fortunately, The Motley Fool UK analyst team have short-listed five companies that they believe STILL boast significant long-term growth prospects despite the global upheaval…

We’re sharing the names in a special FREE investing report that you can download today. We believe these stocks could be a great fit for any well-diversified portfolio with the goal of building wealth in your 50’s.

Claim your free copy now

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Jon Smith has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Up 30% in weeks, does the BAE Systems share price still offer value?

The BAE Systems share price has been on a tear over the past couple of months. This writer sees limited…

Read more »

Three signposts pointing in different directions, with 'Buy' 'Sell' and 'Hold' on
Investing Articles

Hunting for shares to buy as the market trembles? Remember this!

After a choppy week in global stock markets, our writer goes back to basics in his hunt for bargain shares…

Read more »

Investing Articles

3 simple principles to help build wealth in an ISA

As a new tax year opens up new ISA allowances for many investors, our writer shares a trio of things…

Read more »

Investing Articles

US trade tariffs: what they could mean for UK shares like Ashtead, Compass Group, and Experian

US trade tariffs continue to rock global markets, and the UK is no exception. Our writer considers how a new…

Read more »

Mindful young woman breathing out with closed eyes, calming down in stressful situation, working on computer in modern kitchen.
Dividend Shares

The Trump slump has smashed these FTSE 100 shares!

After a rough week for US and UK shares, investors have been shaken. But now these FTSE 100 stocks have…

Read more »

Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Rolls-Royce shares 5 years ago is now worth…

Rolls-Royce shares have been on fire since April 2020. Part of this is the result of pandemic restrictions lifting, but…

Read more »

Young Asian woman with head in hands at her desk
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Tesla stock at its peak in 2024 is now worth…

Over the last few months, Tesla stock has lost nearly half its value. Here, Edward Sheldon explores a few takeaways…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is the S&P 500 heading for an epic stock market crash?

Our writer shares his thoughts on a very crazy time for the S&P 500 and the wider stock market. How…

Read more »