If I’d invested £5,000 in Aviva shares 7 months ago, how much would I have now?

I only recently bought Aviva (LSE:AV.) shares because I was slow to the party. As a result, I may have missed out on the best returns.

The shares have been up and down for the past four years and dipped quite a bit throughout 2023. Because of this, I was initially put off and didn’t circle back until it was too late. The price took off this month after Aviva announced its 2023 full-year (FY) results. They revealed a 9% increase in operating profit, a £300m share buyback program and an 8% rise in dividends.

The share price is already up 17.9% since then.

But the last few months saw even better returns. Since hitting a low of 369p on 8 September, the price has recovered 33% – an impressive climb in just under seven months.

If I’d invested £5,000 back then I’d already have secured myself a decent £1,650 in returns. That’s not bad for only six months. Had I instead bought the shares of Aviva competitor Prudential, I’d be £600 out of pocket!

So with Aviva now at a four-year high, what does the future hold?

Created on TradingView.com

Calculating value

Using a discounted cash flow (DCF) model, analysts estimate Aviva to be undervalued by 34%. This doesn’t necessarily mean the share price will increase by 34%, simply that the price seems low compared to earnings.

A DCF model determines value by dividing future cash flow forecasts by a company’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and subtracting debt. While it can provide a relatively good idea of value, it relies heavily on the accuracy of future cash flow forecasts. If external factors or unexpected events alter cash flow, then the calculations must be revisited.

Created on TradingView.com

The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is another metric used to evaluate a company. To get a P/E ratio, divide the share price by the company’s earnings per share (EPS). EPS is calculated by dividing net income by outstanding shares. With a trailing P/E ratio of 13, Aviva is lower than Prudential (15.8) and Admiral Group (25), but higher than the industry average of 10.8.

This indicates that Aviva shares could be slightly expensive compared to others in the same industry.

Created on TradingView.com

Balance sheet

Evaluating growth potential is one thing but it’s all for nothing if the company goes bankrupt. By checking the balance sheet we can evaluate the company’s financial position.

Debt is key here.

Using debt responsibility can spell the difference between success and failure. Companies that don’t use any debt may fail to compete with others, while companies that don’t manage debt properly could default on loans and go bankrupt.

Created at TradingView

Aviva’s debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio has been steadily increasing over the past few years. Now at 0.9, it’s dangerously close to a factor of one – which would mean it’s not fully covered by shareholder equity. However, in Aviva’s case, the company has sufficient cash and operating income to cover its debt, leaving it with an interest coverage ratio of 6.7 times.

Overall, I think Aviva is in a good position but I don’t expect the share price to make significant gains from here. I will hold my shares for now but, sadly, I think I missed the best price entry point.

Pound coins for sale — 31 pence?

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

More reading

Mark Hartley has positions in Aviva Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Admiral Group Plc and Prudential Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.