Investors, the usual suspects being value investors, use specific valuation metrics in their search for financially sound companies selling at cheap prices. Price to book value and price to cash flow are two of the most widely used.

The current market conditions give level headed investors a great buying opportunity.

Global Payments (GPN) common stock currently trades at a price earnings ratio of 15.9, slightly above its 10 year median of 15. The price to book ratio is 2.92. Its price to cash flow ratio sits at 10.7.

Global Payments operates in a financial services industry which is widely diversified and multifaceted along product and service offerings. This makes it tricky for direct comparisons. MasterCard (MA) and Visa (V) are the best candidates for peer analysis.

So, how does Global Payments valuation compare to its industry peers? Very well indeed, as the table below illustrates:

This company is the leader in the U.S. with respect to credit and debit card volumes. 45% of total revenues come from outside the U.S. This division has been performing well recently. On the financial position front, Global Payments debt to equity ratio is 0.53, well below the industry average of 1.33.

An undervalued, financially sound company with good growth prospects home and abroad, this stock is a sound choice. To continue reading, click here.