Exploring 3 Undervalued Small Caps In Canada With Insider Activity

Simply Wall St · 10/15 12:05

The Canadian market has experienced a robust 23% increase over the last 12 months, with earnings projected to grow by 15% annually. In this thriving environment, identifying stocks that combine favorable valuations with notable insider activity can offer intriguing opportunities for investors seeking potential growth.

Top 10 Undervalued Small Caps With Insider Buying In Canada

Name PE PS Discount to Fair Value Value Rating
First National Financial 10.4x 3.3x 49.98% ★★★★★☆
VersaBank 11.7x 4.7x 49.91% ★★★★★☆
Trican Well Service 7.3x 0.9x 18.26% ★★★★★☆
AutoCanada NA 0.1x 40.70% ★★★★★☆
Nexus Industrial REIT 3.7x 3.6x 18.08% ★★★★☆☆
Rogers Sugar 15.7x 0.6x 47.26% ★★★★☆☆
Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust 12.7x 3.4x 45.18% ★★★★☆☆
Sagicor Financial 1.3x 0.3x -43.36% ★★★★☆☆
Calfrac Well Services 2.5x 0.2x 17.65% ★★★★☆☆
Vermilion Energy NA 1.2x -10.37% ★★★☆☆☆

Click here to see the full list of 21 stocks from our Undervalued TSX Small Caps With Insider Buying screener.

Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener.

Badger Infrastructure Solutions (TSX:BDGI)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★☆☆

Overview: Badger Infrastructure Solutions specializes in non-destructive excavating services, with a market cap of approximately $1.31 billion CAD.

Operations: The company's primary revenue stream is from its non-destructive excavating services, generating $717.10 million. The cost of goods sold (COGS) for this period amounted to $514.27 million, resulting in a gross profit of $202.83 million and a gross profit margin of 28.29%. Operating expenses totaled $140.22 million, with depreciation and amortization (D&A) accounting for $74.88 million of this amount, while net income reached $41.68 million with a net income margin of 5.81%.

PE: 24.2x

Badger Infrastructure Solutions, a Canadian small-cap, recently reported increased sales of US$186.84 million for Q2 2024, up from US$171.89 million the previous year. Net income rose to US$11.91 million from US$11.01 million, reflecting growth potential despite its high debt levels and reliance on external borrowing for funding. Insider confidence is evident with recent share purchases by insiders in the past year, indicating belief in future prospects amidst discussions on a potential share repurchase program announced in August 2024.

TSX:BDGI Ownership Breakdown as at Oct 2024
TSX:BDGI Ownership Breakdown as at Oct 2024

Calian Group (TSX:CGY)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★☆☆☆

Overview: Calian Group operates across four main segments: IT and Cyber Solutions, Health, Learning, and Advanced Technologies, with a market cap of CA$0.83 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue from four main segments: ITCS, Health, Learning, and Advanced Technologies. Over recent periods, the gross profit margin has shown an upward trend, reaching 33.17% as of June 2024. Operating expenses are a significant part of the cost structure, with general and administrative expenses being notably high at CA$98.70 million in June 2024.

PE: 35.6x

Calian Group, a small Canadian company, is capturing attention with its strategic partnerships and insider confidence. Recent collaborations with Walmart Canada and Microsoft highlight its innovative edge in digital health and cybersecurity. Despite a dip in net income to C$1.3 million for Q3 2024 from C$4.67 million the previous year, Calian's revenue guidance suggests growth potential between C$750 million to C$810 million for the fiscal year ending September 2024. The company's share repurchase program further underscores management's belief in its value proposition amidst evolving market opportunities.

TSX:CGY Share price vs Value as at Oct 2024
TSX:CGY Share price vs Value as at Oct 2024

VersaBank (TSX:VBNK)

Simply Wall St Value Rating: ★★★★★☆

Overview: VersaBank operates as a digital banking institution with additional services in cybersecurity and financial technology development, and it has a market capitalization of CA$0.38 billion.

Operations: VersaBank generates revenue primarily from its Digital Banking segment, contributing CA$105.16 million, and DRTC, which adds CA$10.75 million. The company consistently achieves a gross profit margin of 100%, indicating no cost of goods sold is reported in the financials provided. Operating expenses have shown an upward trend over time, reaching CA$50.18 million in the most recent period analyzed. The net income margin has seen fluctuations but recently reached 40.17%.

PE: 11.7x

VersaBank, a Canadian financial institution, is gaining attention for its potential as an undervalued investment. With earnings projected to grow 30.36% annually, the bank presents an intriguing opportunity in its sector. Recent insider confidence was demonstrated through share purchases earlier this year, signaling trust in the company's future prospects. For Q3 2024, VersaBank reported a slight increase in net interest income at C$24.94 million and stable earnings per share of C$0.36 compared to last year. The strategic expansion into the U.S., marked by key executive appointments at their new subsidiary VersaBank USA, could further enhance growth potential and market reach moving forward.

TSX:VBNK Share price vs Value as at Oct 2024
TSX:VBNK Share price vs Value as at Oct 2024

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.