The “Cash-Rich” Bargain: Trading Below Cash per Share

by Fred Fuld III

In the world of value investing, few metrics signal a potential “steal” more than a stock trading below its cash per share. This scenario suggests that if a company were to shut its doors today, pay off all its obligations, and distribute the remaining cash, you would potentially walk away with more money than you paid for the stock. Essentially, the market is valuing the actual business operations at less than zero.

Why Investors Hunt for “Negative Enterprise Value”

When a stock’s price is lower than its net cash (cash minus total debt) per share, it provides a unique margin of safety.

  • Liquidation Value: The company is theoretically worth more dead than alive.
  • Acquisition Magnet: These companies are prime targets for buyouts, as an acquirer could use the company’s own cash to help fund the purchase.
  • Buyback Potential: Management can use that excess cash to buy back shares, drastically increasing the ownership stake of remaining shareholders.

The Red Flags: Why the “Bargain” Might Be a Trap

If it sounds too good to be true, sometimes it is. A stock trading below its cash value is often a signal of extreme market pessimism. You must watch out for:

  1. High Debt Loads: If a company has $10 in cash per share but $15 in debt, it isn’t “cheap”—it’s underwater. Always look at Net Cash (Cash – Total Debt).
  2. Cash Burn: In industries like biotech or tech, a company might have a mountain of cash today but be losing so much money monthly that the cash will be gone in a year.
  3. Governance Issues: Sometimes cash is “trapped” in foreign subsidiaries or controlled by management that refuses to return it to shareholders.

Profile of Potential Value Stocks

While some companies often have high cash balances, it is vital to distinguish between Gross Cash and Net Cash (after debt).

Harley-Davidson (HOG)

Harley-Davidson often appears in value screens due to its massive financing arm (HDFS), which holds significant cash but also carries substantial debt.

  • Market Status (Feb 2026): Trading around $20.14.
  • The Profile: HOG is currently viewed as a deep-value play, trading at a P/E of roughly 4.7x, significantly below its peers.
  • Watch Out For: The company faces declining motorcycle shipments (down ~17-22% recently). Its cash is often tied to its financial services wing, meaning the “cash per share” can be misleading if you don’t account for the debt used to fund those motorcycle loans.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

As a brokerage, IBKR’s balance sheet is unique. It holds vast amounts of client cash, which can inflate “cash per share” metrics.

  • Market Status (Feb 2026): Trading around $74.90.
  • The Profile: IBKR has seen a massive run-up (up 30% in the last year). It holds over $105B in cash and short-term investments, but its debt-to-equity ratio sits at about 121%.
  • Watch Out For: Valuation. While cash-rich, many analysts consider it overvalued at current prices because the market is already pricing in high interest-income margins.

TriNet Group (TNET)

TriNet provides HR solutions and often carries a “light” balance sheet with significant cash flow.

  • Market Status (Feb 2026): Trading around $42.00 after a recent 28% plunge.
  • The Profile: Following a lowered 2026 outlook, the stock is currently in the “doghouse.”
  • Watch Out For: Rising healthcare costs are eating into their margins. While they have a history of aggressive buybacks, the current net loss in Q4 2025 suggests the cash pile might be needed for operations rather than being “excess.”

WEX Inc. (WEX)

WEX operates in the financial technology space, focusing on fleet and corporate payments.

  • Market Status (Feb 2026): Trading around $157.00.
  • The Profile: Analysts suggest the stock is significantly undervalued based on future cash flow models (some estimates as high as $400/share).
  • Watch Out For: High Leverage. WEX has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.49, which is much higher than the industry average. This is a classic example of where “cash per share” can be a trap if you ignore the massive debt obligations.

Keep in mind that cash may not always be king.

Disclosure: Author owns HOG.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend in June of 2024

The following is a short list of some of the many stocks going ex-dividend during the next month, which can be helpful for traders and investors interested in the stock trading technique known as “Buying Dividends” or “Dividend Capture.” This strategy involves purchasing stocks before the ex dividend date and selling them shortly after the ex-date at a similar price, while still being eligible to receive the dividend payment.

Although this technique generally proves effective in bull markets and flat or choppy markets, it is advisable to exercise caution and consider avoiding this strategy during bear markets. To qualify for the dividend, it is necessary to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date and refrain from selling it until on or after the ex-date.

However, it is important to note that the actual dividend may not be paid for several weeks, as the payment date can be delayed by up to two months after the ex-date.

For investors seeking a comprehensive list of stocks going ex-dividend in the near future, WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable list containing numerous dividend-paying companies. Here are a few examples showcasing the stock symbol, ex-dividend date, periodic dividend amount, and annual yield.

McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)6/3/20241.672.59%
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG)6/5/20240.17251.96%
Bank of America Corporation (BAC)6/7/20240.242.42%
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)6/11/20240.010.04%
Macy’s Inc (M)6/14/20240.17373.44%
Southwest Airlines Company (LUV)6/18/20240.182.68%
Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN)6/21/20240.308.30%
Dillard’s, Inc. (DDS)6/28/20240.250.22%

To access the entire list of over 100 ex-dividend stocks, subscribers will receive an email in the next couple days with the full list. If you are not already a subscriber, you can sign up using the provided signup box below. Don’t miss out on this valuable information, and the best part is that it’s free!

Dividend Definitions

To better understand the dividend-related terms, let’s define them:

Declaration date: This refers to the day when a company announces its intention to distribute a dividend in the future.
Ex-dividend date: On this day, if you purchase the stock, you would not be eligible to receive the upcoming dividend. It is also the first day on which a shareholder can sell their shares and still receive the dividend.
Record date: This marks the day when you must be recorded on the company’s books as a shareholder to qualify for the dividend. Typically, the ex-dividend date is set two business days prior to the record date.
Payment date: This is the day on which the dividend payment is actually made to the eligible shareholders. It’s important to note that the payment date can be as long as two months after the ex-date.

Before implementing the “Buying Dividends” technique, it is crucial to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the respective company to ensure accuracy and avoid any unexpected changes.

In conclusion, being aware of the stocks going ex-dividend can be advantageous for traders and investors employing the “Buying Dividends” strategy. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com provides a convenient resource to access a comprehensive list of such stocks, allowing individuals to plan their investment decisions effectively. Remember to stay informed and consider market conditions before employing any investment strategy.

Disclosure: Author owns MCD, HOG, BAC, and MAIN.

Labor Day Stocks: Made in the USA Companies

by Fred Fuld III

Are you looking for a unique way to celebrate labor day? How about investing in stocks of companies based in the United States, and has their manufacturing in the US also.

Unfortunately, there are not many to pick from, but there are a few which do most or all of their manufacturing domestically.

Weber Inc. (WEBR) manufactures all but one of their latest models in Palatine, Illinois. All non-gas Weber grills are assembled at the company’s headquarters in Palatine, Illinois, but globally sourced components are used. The stock just went public a month ago.
Thor Industries, Inc. (THO) makes Airstream Trailers at the company’s plant in Jackson Center, Ohio. The stock has a price to earnings ratio of 12 and offers a dividend yield of 1.43%.
Herman Miller, Inc. (MLHR) makes its high quality furniture in Zeeland, Michigan. The stock has a P/E ratio of 15 and pays a yield of 1.76%.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (SWBI) has manufacturing facilities at its headquarters i Springfield, Massachusetts as well as Maine and Tennessee. The stock trades at four times earnings and sports a yield of 1.45%.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG) based in Milwaukee, does almost all of its manufacturing in the U.S. with a very small amount of production overseas. The stock has a P/E of 12 and yields 1.53%.
Intel (INTC) currently produces more than 75 percent of its microprocessors in the U.S.  The stock trades at 12 times earnings and pays a yield of 2.6%.
Surprisingly, or maybe not surprisingly, almost all these companies pay a dividend. Go USA!
Disclosure: Author owns SWBI and HOG.

Corporate Stock Earnings Report for Week 3 of October

Looking for some interesting moves in some stocks this upcoming week? Check out the companies that will be reporting earnings this week.

If earnings exceed analysts’ expectations, the stocks can shoot up. If the numbers underperform, the stock can tank. Then again, occasionally, stocks don’t move the way you would have expected.

Anyway, many traders use earnings plays for trading strategies. Also, option traders look for high implied volatility of stocks for for option selling strategies.

Here are many of the enormous number of stocks reporting earnings this week:

Monday

BAC
CE
TACO
HAS
IBM
NFLX
UAL

 
Tuesday
 

BLK
CMA
CREE
DPZ
GS
HOG
HA
INTC
JNJ
PM
UNH

Wednesday

ABT
AXP
EBAY
GPC
HAL
MAT
MS
XLNX

Thursday
 

AMD
AAL
SAM
ETFC
MXIM
NUE

PYPL
SLB
TXT
VZ
WBA

 
Friday
 

GE

HON
MCD
SAP

If you like interesting stock lists like this, be sure to check out many of the free stock lists here at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.