What is SGU's Intrinsic value?

Star Group LP (SGU) Intrinsic Value Analysis

Executive Summary

As of June 17, 2025, Star Group LP's estimated intrinsic value ranges from $11.79 to $34.45 per share, depending on the valuation methodology applied.

Valuation Method Fair Value (USD) Implied Upside/Downside
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) $27.04 +131.7%
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) $23.94 +105.2%
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) $11.79 +1.0%
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) $23.95 +105.2%
Earnings Power Value $34.45 +195.2%

Is Star Group LP (SGU) undervalued or overvalued?

With the current market price at $11.67, the stock appears to be significantly undervalued.

Understanding Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic value represents the "true" worth of a company based on its fundamentals rather than market sentiment. We've employed multiple methodologies to triangulate Star Group LP's intrinsic value, including:

  1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF): Values the company based on projected future cash flows
  2. Dividend Discount Model (DDM): Values the company based on expected future dividend payments
  3. Earnings Power Value (EPV): Values the company based on its current earnings power, assuming no growth

Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)

The cost of capital is a critical factor in valuation models, representing the required return for investors.

WACC Component Low High
Long-term bond rate 3.9% 4.4%
Equity market risk premium 4.6% 5.6%
Adjusted beta 0.64 0.84
Cost of equity 6.8% 9.6%
Cost of debt 4.9% 8.9%
Tax rate 27.6% 27.9%
Debt/Equity ratio 0.52 0.52
After-tax WACC 5.7% 8.5%

Valuation Methods

1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Valuation

Our DCF model projects cash flows over 5-year and 10-year horizons, with the following key assumptions:

  • Forecast Period: 5-year DCF and 10-year DCF
  • Terminal Growth Rate: 0.0% (range: 3.0% - 5.0%)
  • Discount Rate: 7.1% (range: 0.0% - 9.3%)

Key Projections:

  • Revenue growth from $1,766 (FY09-2024) to $2,318 (FY09-2034)
  • Net profit margin expansion from 2% to 2%
  • Capital expenditures maintained at approximately 1% of revenue
DCF Model Fair Value Enterprise Value % from Terminal Value
5-Year Growth $24 $1,030M 74.8%
10-Year Growth $27 $1,137M 55.9%
5-Year EBITDA $14 $675M 61.6%
10-Year EBITDA $19 $842M 40.5%

2. Dividend Discount Model (DDM)

The DDM values a company based on its expected future dividend payments. We used two approaches:

Multi-Stage DDM:

  • Current payout ratio: 35.0%
  • Stable payout ratio: 90.0%
  • Growth transition: 5 years
  • Cost of equity: 8.2%
  • Long-term growth rate: 0.5%
  • Fair value: $11.79 (1.0% from current price)

Stable DDM:

  • Stable payout ratio: 70% (Low) to 90% (High)
  • Cost of equity: 9.6% (Low) to 6.8% (High)
  • Long-term growth rate: 0.0% (Low) to 1.0% (High)
  • Fair value range: $15 to $33
  • Selected fair value: $23.95 (105.2% from current price)

3. Earnings Power Value (EPV)

EPV assesses a company's value based on its current normalized earnings power, assuming no growth.

EPV Component Value
Normalized Earnings $95M
Discount Rate (WACC) 8.5% - 5.7%
Enterprise Value $1,118M - $1,668M
Net Debt $202M
Equity Value $916M - $1,466M
Outstanding Shares 35M
Fair Value $27 - $42
Selected Fair Value $34.45

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $403M
Enterprise Value $606M
Trailing P/E 5.55
Forward P/E 11.19
Trailing EV/EBITDA 5.45
Current Dividend Yield 634.00%
Dividend Growth Rate (5Y) 0.54%
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 0.52

Investment Decision Framework

To determine the most reliable intrinsic value estimate, we weigh each valuation method based on:

  1. Forecast Certainty: DCF methods rely on long-term projections, while earnings power value focuses on current normalized earnings
  2. Business Model Alignment: Dividend models are more appropriate for mature companies with established dividend policies
  3. Historical Accuracy: How well each method has predicted fair value historically

Valuation Weight Matrix

Valuation Method Weight Weighted Value
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) 30% $8.11
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) 25% $5.99
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) 20% $2.36
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) 15% $3.59
Earnings Power Value 10% $3.44
Weighted Average 100% $23.49

Investment Conclusion

Based on our comprehensive valuation analysis, Star Group LP's weighted average intrinsic value is $23.49, which is approximately 101.3% above the current market price of $11.67.

Key investment considerations:

  • Strong projected earnings growth (2% to 2% margin)
  • Consistent cash flow generation
  • Historical dividend growth of 0.54%

Given these factors, we believe Star Group LP is currently significantly undervalued with the potential for long-term appreciation based on the company's growth trajectory and financial strength.