Thursday, August 2, 2007

Hallmark Financial Services Inc.

Hallmark Financial Services Inc. is a NASDAQ listed security that has been trading in a range between $8.55 and $13.32 over the past year. With 20,768,240 shares outstanding, a recent price of $12.29 gives a total market capitalization of $257,110,814. While there are certainly larger companies, Hallmark Financial Services Inc. has definitely earned its place in the pack. Last year, Hallmark Financial Services Inc. created $0.56 in earnings for every share outstanding.

Hallmark Financial Services Inc. is currently priced by the market at 21.80 times last year’s earnings. Many trading multiples around the world are quite attractive these days, but don’t be fooled. A Price to Earnings ratio of 0 simply means that the security didn’t make any money last year.

With a share price under $50 a share and earnings per share below $1 a share, Hallmark Financial Services Inc. could be an interesting value proposition. Consistent earnings are the key to high valuations and this security is well on its way.

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