3 Bargain Stocks to Beat the Market
The Value Line Investment Survey sees a strong year ahead for these picks.
With the help of the Value Line Investment Survey, we’ve identified three bargains with timeliness ratings of 1, meaning that Value Line believes they are primed to outpace the market over the next year. (Prices are as of May 1.)
Biotech giant Gilead Sciences (symbol GILD, $105) trades for just 10 times projected earnings, about 45% less than the price-earnings ratio of the overall market and 60% less than the P/E of Gilead’s biggest rivals. Wall Street is down on Gilead because it has been cutting the price of its blockbuster hepatitis C drugs, Sovaldi and Harvoni, and signing profit-sharing deals with generic-drug companies. The moves will pare Gilead’s profit margins, but they make the drugs more attractive to the insurers and government agencies that pay the tab. Gilead just began paying a dividend.
Shares of semiconductor maker Micron Technology (MU, $29) have sunk by more than 17% since December because of slumping personal computer sales. But Micron has new contracts with suppliers and partners that will pare expenses and possibly boost sales in 2016, says Value Line. The stock sells for only 9 times estimated 2015 profits. Value Line sees earnings surging this year and in 2016.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Shares of Chicago Bridge & Iron (CBI, $50), which builds infrastructure for energy companies, have tumbled 37% since April 2014, a victim of the drop in oil prices. The Netherlands-based company recently trimmed its outlook for 2015, but it has plenty of projects in its backlog and expects earnings to rise this year. CBI is flush with cash, which it plans to use to repurchase as much as 10% of its shares. The stock sells for 9 times estimated profits, giving it above-average long-term potential, says Value Line.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

-
4% and Chill? Find Out If This Distribution Rule Fits Your RetirementTake this simple quiz to discover whether the 4% Rule will work for you in retirement.
-
Oregon Tax Kicker in 2026: What's Your Refund?State Tax The Oregon kicker for 2025 state income taxes is coming. Here's how to calculate your credit and the eligibility rules.
-
Will IRS Budget Cuts Disrupt Tax Season? What You Need to KnowTaxes The 2026 tax season could be an unprecedented one for the IRS. Here’s how you can be proactive to keep up with the status of your return.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into UPS Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayUnited Parcel Service stock has been a massive long-term laggard.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Lowe's Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayLowe's stock has delivered disappointing returns recently, but it's been a great holding for truly patient investors.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into 3M Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayMMM stock has been a pit of despair for truly long-term shareholders.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Coca-Cola Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayEven with its reliable dividend growth and generous stock buybacks, Coca-Cola has underperformed the broad market in the long term.
-
If You Put $1,000 into Qualcomm Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You Would Have TodayQualcomm stock has been a big disappointment for truly long-term investors.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Home Depot Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayHome Depot stock has been a buy-and-hold banger for truly long-term investors.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Bank of America Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayBank of America stock has been a massive buy-and-hold bust.
-

If You'd Put $1,000 Into Oracle Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayORCL Oracle stock has been an outstanding buy-and-hold bet for decades.