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4 Top Jefferies Value Stocks to Buy This Week

With earnings for the third quarter still rushing in fast and furious, analysts and strategists on Wall Street are also starting to get some color from companies not only on the fourth quarter, but for 2016 as well. The bottom line for investors: a timid Federal Reserve may push out the first interest rate hike to March, but high multiples may be less and less tolerated.

Each week we cover the new value calls from the analysts at Jefferies, and more and more, some of the calls may look surprising as some solid big blue chips companies are becoming so cheap on a multiple basis they are ending up in the value arena. This is the best of both worlds for investors when large cap growth companies become inexpensive enough to have a value call.

Here are four of this week’s value stocks to buy from Jefferies. All are rated Buy.

AbbVie

This is a top global pharmaceutical stock to buy at Jefferies and a franchise stock pick. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company’s mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie employs more than 26,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries

The stock fell 10% last Thursday after the FDA warning about liver risk with the company’s hepatitis C (HCV) products. However, Jefferies points out that this applies to a small sub-population of cirrhotics who are 3% to 5% of the total patient population. Additionally, the next generation HCV product could be launched as early as 2017, and even if the entire Viekira Pak/Technivie business were lost over the next two years, it represents only 4% of net percentage value.

ALSO READ: 4 Merrill Lynch Top-Yielding Dividend Stocks to Buy for Q4

With numerous clinical read-outs for the stock over the rest of 2015, many on Wall Street think that over time the stock could have anywhere from $15 to $25 per share upside from current levels. The Jefferies report points out that several updates on the Humira franchise are expected in 2015, including more visibility on the issued and pending patent estate for Humira and an update on the clinical profile of “new Humira,” which is expected to launch in the last half of 2015. EU approval is expected by the end of this month.

AbbVie investors are paid a huge 4.05% dividend. The Jefferies price target is $85, among the highest on Wall Street. The Thomson/First Call consensus target is much lower at $74.07. Shares closed Monday at $51.87.

CA

Jefferies feels this company reported solid numbers this week and new business is growing faster than renewals. CA Inc. (NASDAQ: CA) provides information technology (IT) management software and solutions that help organizations plan, develop, manage and secure applications and IT infrastructure in the United States and internationally.

This week CA reported fiscal second-quarter profit of $174 million. Adjusted earnings were right in line with Wall Street expectations. Although revenues were slightly lower, the overall quarter was solid. Forward guidance also remained in line with forecasts.

Jefferies feels that with growth outpacing renewals, which is a requirement for revenue growth, its main thesis on CA has been that the stock is not priced for growth, having little downside if it doesn’t achieve growth, but good upside if it does.

CA investors are paid a very solid 3.6% dividend. The Jefferies price target is $38, and the consensus target is lower at $29.32. The stock closed most recently at $27.88.

ALSO READ: 3 Top Jefferies Growth Stocks to Buy Are Red-Hot Mega-Tech Companies

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