MGE Energy, Dollar Tree: Top 5 Value Stocks

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BOSTON (TheStreet) -- These companies have annual revenue above $500 million, below-average valuations, debt that is less than 49% of total capital and receive "buy" ratings from our proprietary quantitative model, which considers more than 60 factors. They're ordered by their potential to appreciate, starting with the company with the best growth prospects.

MGE Energy(MGEE) is a Wisconsin-based electric utility.

The numbers: Second-quarter net income dropped 6% to $10 million and earnings per share fell 10% to 43 cents, hurt by a higher share count. Revenue decreased 14% to $108 million. Its gross margin rose from 23% to 25% and its operating margin climbed from 15% to 16%. A quick ratio of 0.3 demonstrates weak liquidity. But a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.7 is lower than the industry average, indicating restrained leverage.

The stock: MGE has advanced 11% in 2009, more than the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but less than the S&P 500 Index. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 16, a discount to the market and utility peers. Shares pay a 4% dividend yield.

Casey's General Stores(CASY) operates convenience stores in the Midwest.

The numbers: Fiscal first-quarter revenue fell 24% to $1.2 billion, but profit grew 54% to $44 million, or 87 cents a share. Its gross margin rose from 13% to 19% and its operating margin jumped from 3% to 6%. The company has less-than-ideal liquidity, evident in its quick ratio of 0.8. But a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.2 indicates modest leverage.

The stock: Casey's is up 35% this year, beating major U.S. indices. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 15, a discount to the market and food retail peers. Shares pay a 1.1% dividend yield.