Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Mercer Insurance Group Inc.

Mercer Insurance Group Inc. is a NASDAQ listed security that has been trading in a range between $17.25 and $27.00 over the past year. With 6,672,360 shares outstanding, a recent price of $19.75 gives a total market capitalization of $131,779,110. While there are certainly larger companies, Mercer Insurance Group Inc. has definitely earned its place in the pack. Last year, Mercer Insurance Group Inc. created $2.13 in earnings for every share outstanding.

Mercer Insurance Group Inc. is currently priced by the market at 9.30 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 in excess of $1 a share, Mercer Insurance Group Inc. is unlikely to 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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