Top Five All-Around Value Stocks

Petrobras-Petroleo Brasileiro(PBR Quote) has had a buy rating since May 2005. The company's strengths include notable revenue growth, a steady pattern of EPS growth over the past two years, improved return on equity and impressive increases in net operating cash flow. Although Petrobras might have a few minor weaknesses, they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results.

Parker-Hannifin(PH Quote), which makes motion and control technologies and systems, has been rated a buy since October 2006. During the third-quarter of fiscal year 2007, the company grew both its revenue and net income because of better sales in most of the segments and posted higher return on equity. There was an improvement in debt-to-equity ratio, which signifies its financial stability. The machinery industry overall is poised to continue the growth it has exhibited over the past few years, which has outpaced that of the overall economy.

Oil refiner Valero Energy(VLO Quote) has been rated a buy since May 2005. The company displays impressive net income growth and a healthy return on equity and leverage level. It has a solid outlook and a strategic capacity expansion at its Port Arthur refinery, improving overall throughput capacity by 30,000 barrels a day. Among risks to the rating, Valero's performance depends on the future movement of crude oil prices and their impact on sour crude oil discounts. Furthermore, an increase in operating cost is a cause of concern.