What Defines a Value Stock?

A value stock is traditionally defined in terms of how investors in the marketplace are valuing that company's future growth prospects. Low P/E multiples are good base indicators that the company is undervalued and can most likely be labelled as a value stock.

Benzinga Insights has compiled a list of value stocks in the financial services sector that may be worth watching:

1. Heritage Insurance Hldgs (NYSE:HRTG) - P/E: 7.82
2. Sprott Focus Trust (NASDAQ:FUND) - P/E: 6.82
3. Great Elm Capital (NASDAQ:GECC) - P/E: 5.88
4. Southside Bancshares (NASDAQ:SBSI) - P/E: 9.05
5. First Busey (NASDAQ:BUSE) - P/E: 9.02

This quarter, Heritage Insurance Hldgs experienced a decrease in earnings per share, which was $0.32 in Q2 and is now $-0.28. Most recently, the company reported a dividend yield of 5.84%, which has increased by 1.43% from last quarter's yield of 4.41%.

Most recently, Sprott Focus Trust reported earnings per share at $0.03, whereas in Q1 earnings per share sat at $0.26. The company's most recent dividend yield sits at 6.09%, which has decreased by 0.39% from 6.48% last quarter.

Most recently, Great Elm Capital reported earnings per share at $0.4, whereas in Q2 earnings per share sat at $0.44. Most recently, the company reported a dividend yield of 15.77%, which has decreased by 0.96% from last quarter's yield of 16.73%.

Southside Bancshares saw a decrease in earnings per share from 0.81 in Q2 to $0.6 now. First Busey has reported Q3 earnings per share at $0.55, which has increased by 5.77% compared to Q2, which was 0.52. The company's most recent dividend yield sits at 4.95%, which has increased by 0.3% from 4.65% last quarter.

These 5 value stocks were selected by Benzinga Insights based on quantified analysis. While this methodical judgment process is not meant to make final decisions, our technology can give investors additional perception into the sector.