Fresh Valuation Checks on Major US Stocks

Side‑by‑Side Look at New Valuation Updates

Several widely held US stocks received fresh valuation assessments on 27 January 2026, with new analysis from Simply Wall St highlighting how different models can point to sharply different conclusions. Across energy, healthcare, autos and consumer sectors, recent share gains are now being weighed against Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) estimates, price‑to‑earnings (P/E) comparisons and proprietary “Fair Ratio” measures.

Permian Resources, DTE Energy, Medline, Ford Motor and McDonald’s all show varying gaps between market prices and estimated intrinsic values, underlining how sensitive valuations are to assumptions about future cash flows, growth and risk.

Permian Resources: Large Gap Between Price and DCF

Permian Resources, an independent oil and gas producer in the Permian Basin, has drawn renewed attention after strong multi‑year share gains. The stock recently closed at US$14.76, with returns of 2.5% over the last week, 7.3% over the past month, 2.5% year to date and 2.9% over one year, on top of what is described as a very large gain over five years.

A 2‑stage Free Cash Flow to Equity DCF model estimates an intrinsic value of about US$64.69 per share, implying the stock is 77.2% undervalued on this metric. The latest twelve‑month free cash flow is about US$479.2 million, with analyst‑sourced projections and extrapolations stretching to 2035, including an estimated US$2.2 billion free cash flow in 2030.

On a P/E basis, Permian Resources trades at 13.54x earnings, close to the oil and gas industry average of about 13.45x and below a broader peer group average of 19.18x. Simply Wall St’s proprietary Fair Ratio for the company is 18.49x, suggesting the current multiple sits below the P/E level implied by its earnings growth, margins, industry and risk profile. The stock records a valuation score of 6 out of 6 on the platform’s checklist.

DTE Energy: Dividend Model Points to Near Fair Value

DTE Energy’s recent analysis focuses on its role as a regulated utility with ongoing capital investment plans. The shares last closed at US$135.53, delivering returns of 0.0% over seven days, 5.0% over 30 days, 4.0% year to date, 15.1% over one year, 31.6% over three years and 57.1% over five years.

Using a Dividend Discount Model that incorporates a current dividend of US$5.16 per share, a return on equity of 12.64% and a payout ratio of about 58.28%, Simply Wall St estimates an intrinsic value of about US$139.55 per share. That implies the stock is around 2.9% undervalued, which the analysis describes as a very tight margin relative to model uncertainty.

On earnings, DTE trades on a P/E of 20.37x, above the Integrated Utilities industry average of 18.91x and slightly below a peer group average of 21.67x. The platform’s Fair Ratio for DTE is 21.88x, indicating modest undervaluation on this earnings‑based measure.

Medline: Healthcare Name Screens as Undervalued on DCF

Medline’s recent share price climb has triggered a fresh look at its fundamentals. The stock last closed at US$44.84, posting gains of 1.6% over the past week, 1.6% over the past 30 days and 10.4% year to date.

A 2‑stage Free Cash Flow to Equity DCF model places Medline’s intrinsic value at US$63.06 per share, suggesting the stock trades at a 28.9% discount. The company’s last‑twelve‑months free cash flow is about US$1.06 billion, with projections through 2035. For 2030, projected free cash flow is US$2.96 billion, with annual estimates between 2026 and 2035 ranging from roughly US$1.71 billion to US$4.08 billion before discounting.

Medline trades on a P/E of 29.48x, below the Medical Equipment industry average of 31.79x and a peer group average of 31.10x. Simply Wall St has not published a Fair Ratio P/E figure for Medline, and the stock currently carries a valuation score of 4 out of 6.

Ford Motor: Diverging Signals From DCF and P/E

Ford Motor’s valuation is being reassessed after a 39.1% share price return over the past year, alongside a 1% gain over 30 days and a 1.2% decline in the last week. Recent attention has centred on its electric and hybrid vehicle strategy and ongoing union and labor cost discussions, as well as balancing new technology investment with its truck and SUV franchises.

A DCF model using a 2‑stage Free Cash Flow to Equity approach estimates Ford’s intrinsic value at US$9.64 per share, indicating the stock may be 39.4% overvalued on this basis. The latest twelve‑month free cash flow is about US$11.75 billion, with analyst and extrapolated projections including US$4,395 million in 2026 and US$6,624.5 million in 2027, and further estimates out to 2035. Ford has a valuation score of 3 out of 6.

However, Ford’s P/E of 11.38x sits well below the auto industry average of 17.68x and a peer group average of 24.63x. Simply Wall St’s Fair Ratio estimate for Ford is 28.56x, meaning the actual P/E is far below this model‑based reference point, and the analysis labels the shares as undervalued on earnings.

McDonald’s: Narrative vs Cash Flow Valuation

McDonald’s has combined nostalgia‑driven and value‑focused marketing, reviving its Changeables Happy Meal toys and introducing limited‑time items and price‑focused deals aimed at cost‑conscious diners. The stock trades at US$312.95, with a 3.2% year‑to‑date share price return and a 9.3% one‑year total shareholder return, described as steady momentum.

On Simply Wall St’s most popular narrative, McDonald’s has a fair value of about US$331.20 per share, leaving the stock roughly 5.5% undervalued at the latest close. That narrative highlights ongoing refranchising and an asset‑light model, along with global cost management and G&A efficiencies supported by centralized platforms, as drivers of stable free cash flow and higher operating margins.

A separate DCF view arrives at an intrinsic value of about US$259.10 per share, below the current price of US$312.95. On that basis, McDonald’s appears more expensive using cash flows than on the narrative‑based fair value, creating a notable difference between valuation approaches.