What if a cheap stock really isn’t as cheap as it seems? Pick a time stamped topic below:

(0:40) - Cyclical Stocks: Are they a value trap?

(2:35) - Tracey takes an in-depth look at Trinity Industries

(6:20) - How to protect yourself as a value investor

(8:24) - Where can you find value?

(10:50) - Stock ticker re-cap

Welcome to Episode #31 of the Value Investor Podcast

Every week, Tracey Ryniec, the editor of Zacks Value Investor portfolio service, shares some of her top value investing tips and stock picks.

Recently, she’s been having some Twitter and Stocktwits “discussions” with investors about what makes a cheap stock.

Just because a stock has dropped big, even if it’s fallen 50% or more, that doesn’t mean a stock is necessarily “cheap” or a “value.” Certainly, that scenario is one that a value investor would want to investigate further.

Tracey has covered value traps on the podcast before but this week she turns to its devious cousin: the cyclical stock.

Companies are known as cyclicals when their earnings rise and fall with the mood of the economy.

So, for example, a luxury automaker, a motorcycle manufacturer and homebuilders are likely cyclical as their earnings rise when the economy is good and consumers feel bullish enough to buy that new car or new house and their earnings fall when there is a recession.

Cyclical stocks can appear to be cheap, especially when earnings are just starting to decline.

Trinity Industries Isn’t a Value

A good example of this right now are the railcar manufacturers, Trinity Industries (TRN) and Greenbrier (GBX).

In 2016, Trinity looked cheap, as it earned $2.25. But earnings are on the decline due to a cyclical drop in rail car orders that will likely last several years.

In 2017, the Zacks Consensus is calling for $1.30. With shares near $30, and the slide in earnings, suddenly Trinity went from having a P/E of around 13 to having one around 26. It’s obviously not cheap any longer.

How do you avoid the cyclicals?

Keep an eye on earnings estimates. What direction are the estimates moving? If they were going up for years but now are on the decline for years, that’s a red flag.

The Trinity chart is a perfect illustration of a cyclical. This what you don’t want to be buying- at least not before the bottom of the cycle has been hit.

If you’re trying to stay away from these false cheap stocks, what should you be buying right now instead?

Look for companies with rising earnings estimates and businesses that won’t be as impacted by an economic slowdown.

3 Value Stocks with Rising Earnings Estimates

1. Western Digital (WDC) has a forward P/E of 14.5. Earnings expected to grow by 38% this fiscal year.

2. Seagate Technology (STXA) has a forward P/E of 10.5. Earnings forecast to rise 99% this fiscal year.

3. First Data Corporation (FDC) has a forward P/E of 12.5. Earnings projected to jump 23% in 2017.

What else does Tracey think about the cyclicals and finding cheap stocks while the market is hitting record highs?

Tune into this week’s podcast to find out.