| Invalid Username / Password | ||||||||
| Invalid Captcha | ||||||||
|
||||||||
| Sign Up | Forgot Password? | ||||||||
**Important: We hate spam as much as you do. Check out our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.
**By submitting your email address, you also sign up for Profit Hunter, a daily newsletter from Equitymaster
covering exciting investing ideas and opportunities in India.
Combining high Return on Equity (ROE) with undervaluation is essentially the "holy grail" of value investing. It allows you to buy a high-quality, efficient "money machine" at a discount price.
In the context of the Indian market in 2026, where valuations in certain sectors have become stretched, this dual-filter approach is a powerful way to find safety and growth.
Here are three such stocks. In determining these stocks, we have considered an ROE of around 20% or more and price to earnings of 10 or thereabouts. This is not a stock recommendation.
Let's now take a look at the list.
First on the list is the stock of Coal India.
Coal India holds a near monopoly position in Coal mining and production sector. It commands over 80% of the country's coal production, making it the largest coal producer in the world.
| ROE | 35.6% |
| Price to book value | 2.3 times |
| Price to earnings ratio | 9.1 times |
| Dividend | 5.2% |
The stock of Coal India has often been accumulated by investors for an attractive dividend yield. The shares trade at a price to earnings ratio of just 9.1 times, with a solid ROE of 35.6%.
Moving ahead, Coal India's roadmap targets 1.23 bn tonnes by FY 2035, with an 8% annual growth forecast from FY 2025. The company has secured priority access to railway infrastructure and are expediting project clearances for FMC implementation.
The diversification into coal gas, coal bed methane (CBM), and renewable energy aligns with emerging policy incentives and opens up new revenue avenues.
At the same time, the company is now exploring joint ventures for coking coal washeries to strengthen domestic options for steel manufacturers.
Coal India has commenced a series of structural, operational and digital interventions to improve productivity, reduce environmental impact and diversify revenue sources.
These efforts focus on improving loading infrastructure, digital mine management, coal quality and internal process efficiency, while supporting long-term goals in renewable energy, gasification, and carbon reduction.
Next on our list is NMDC Limited.
The company is India's largest iron ore producer and a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Steel. It plays a critical role in supplying raw material to India's steel industry.
| ROE | 22% |
| Price to book value | 2 times |
| Price to earnings ratio | 10.2 times |
| Dividend | 4.2% |
The mining company has a strong ROE of 22%, and like Coal India is known for its dividend yield. The price book value of the company is also reasonable at 2 times.
Moving ahead, NMDC plans to double its production to 100 million tonne per year by 2030, up from 45 million tonne in 2023-24 (Apr-Mar).
Expansion involves big infrastructure projects, slurry pipelines, beneficiation and pellet plants -aimed at more efficient extraction and transport.
Through its subsidiary (NMDC Steel), it now runs the Nagarnar steel plant.
The company is evaluating mining opportunities abroad (coking coal, lithium, copper, etc.), which could diversify revenues and reduce reliance on iron ore alone.
NMDC's future is centered on a major capacity ramp-up and diversification.
If it successfully executes its expansion plans and leverages India's growing steel sector, it could significantly increase production, revenues, and market influence by 2030.
Next on our list is Bank of Maharashtra.
The bank was Established in 1935, and has grown from a regional lender focused on small businesses into one of India's significant public sector banks with a nationwide presence.
| ROE | 19.3% |
| Price to book value | 1.7 times |
| Price to earnings ratio | 8.5 times |
| Dividend | 15% |
Bank of Maharashtra has a strong ROE of 19.3%. The Bank has a strong capital adequacy ratio of 20.5%.
With a Net NPA of 0.15% (as of Q3 FY2026), it has one of the cleanest balance sheets in the Indian banking sector. This allows the bank to focus on expansion rather than debt recovery.
The bank has done well in Q3 FY26, beating earlier guidance. The total business for the period was up 17.24%, as against the bank's guidance of 15% growth year-on-year.
Bank of Maharashtra is actively expanding its footprint in key growth regions across the country. As part of its five-year strategy, the bank aims to establish 1,000 new branches within this period.
For FY26, the bank has launched an ambitious initiative titled Project 321, under which it plans to open 321 branches within the next 18 months.
The bank is placing significant focus on Retail, Agriculture, and MSME (RAM) lending, which collectively account for over 62% of its domestic credit portfolio.
Overall, with key metrics improving over the last few years, the bank is positioned well to be a part of India's growth story.
Investing in undervalued stocks with high Return on Equity is a sophisticated strategy that targets efficient companies trading at a discount.
However, the primary risk involves determining whether the high ROE is a result of operational excellence.
A company can artificially boost its ROE by taking on excessive debt. Ultimately, an undervalued stock with a high ROE is only a bargain if the company possesses a durable competitive advantage that prevents its margins from eroding. I
If the low valuation is caused by a permanent decline in the industry or a fundamental shift in consumer behavior, the high ROE may be a lagging indicator that will soon collapse. Success with this approach requires looking past the surface metrics to ensure you are buying a productive asset rather than a value trap.
Investors should evaluate the company's fundamentals, corporate governance, and valuations of the stock as key factors when conducting due diligence before making investment decisions.
--- Advertisement ---
Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing
Should You Sell? Hold? Or Buy the Dip?
History shows that moments of global uncertainty - like 9/11, the 2008 crisis, and the Covid crash - created powerful opportunities for investors who stayed calm.
That's why our research team has identified 3 fundamentally strong stocks that could potentially outsmart the current market fall.
Get Full Details
Details of our SEBI Research Analyst registration are mentioned on our website - www.equitymaster.com
---------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. Learn more about our recommendation services here...
Enter your email to continue reading on Equitymaster.
Important: We hate spam as much as you do. Check out our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.
By submitting your email address, you also sign up for Profit Hunter, a daily newsletter from Equitymaster covering exciting investing ideas and opportunities in India.
Before we send you your premium report, please go to your inbox and look for confirmation email from us.
Watch out for the subject line 'Verify Your Email for Equitymaster – Your OTP Inside'
If you don't find it in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folder.
Since 1996, Equitymaster has been the source for honest and credible opinions on investing in India. With solid research and in-depth analysis Equitymaster is dedicated towards making its readers- smarter, more confident and richer every day. Here's why hundreds of thousands of readers spread across more than 70 countries Trust Equitymaster.
Copyright © Quantum Information Services Private Limited.
Whitelist | Refer | Terms | Privacy | Contact | About | Sitemap
Quantum Information Services Private Limited
103, Regent Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021
U65990MH1989PTC054667
Ms. Sonal Ramachandran
| Telephone No.: +91-22-61434003 | Email: compliance@equitymaster.comSEBI Registration No.: INH000021128 | Type of Registration: Non-Individual | Validity: Perpetual | BSE Enlistment No: 6769
Principal Officer: Tanushree Banerjee | Telephone No.:+91-22-61434055 | Email: po.ra@equitymaster.com
SEBI Registration No.: INA000000680 | Type of Registration: Non-Individual | Validity: Perpetual | BSE Enlistment No: 1488
Principal Officer: Vivek Chaurasia | Telephone No.:+91-22-61434055 | Email: po.ria@equitymaster.com
SEBI Bhavan BKC
Address: Plot No.C4-A, 'G' Block Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai - 400051, Maharashtra
Telephone No.: +91-22-26449000 / 40459000 | Fax: +91-22-26449019-22 / 40459019-22 | Email: sebi@sebi.gov.in | Toll Free Investor Helpline: 1800 22 7575
SCORES: https://www.scores.gov.in/ | SMARTODR: https://smartodr.in/login
AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Distributor
AMFI Registration Number : ARN - 1022
Date of Initial Registration : 28 / JAN / 2008
Current Validity of ARN upto : 28 / JAN / 2028
LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Registration granted by SEBI, enlistment with BSE as IA and RA, and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.
All rights reserved. Any act of copying, reproducing or distributing any content from this website whether wholly or in part, for any purpose without the permission of Quantum Information Services Private Limited is strictly prohibited and shall be deemed to be copyright infringement.
Quantum Information Services Private Limited (QIS) is a SEBI registered Research Analyst (bearing registration no INH000021128) and Investment Adviser(Reg. No: INA000000680). Consequent upon the merger of Equitymaster Research Private Limited into QIS, effective October 30, 2025 QIS owns and operates brand 'Equitymaster' and website www.equitymaster.com. This does not constitute or is not intended to constitute an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation to an offer to buy or sell financial products, units or securities and QIS including its employees, personnel, directors, associates will not be liable for any losses (direct or indirect) incurred or investment(s) made or decisions taken/or not taken based on the information provided herein. All content and information is provided on an 'As Is' basis by QIS. Information herein is believed to be reliable but QIS does not warrant its completeness or accuracy and expressly disclaims all warranties and conditions of any kind, whether express or implied. The services rendered by QIS are on a best effort basis. QIS does not assure or guarantee the user any minimum or fixed returns. The securities quoted, if any are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Use of this information is at the user's own risk. The user must make his own investment decisions based on his specific investment objective and financial position and using such independent advisors as he believes necessary. This is not directed for access or use by anyone in a country, especially, USA, Canada or the European Union countries, where such use or access is unlawful or which may subject QIS or its affiliates to any registration or licensing requirement.
The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. As a condition to accessing QIS's content and website, you agree to our Terms and Conditions of Use, available here

Equitymaster requests your view! Post a comment on "Top 3 Undervalued Stocks with High ROE". Click here!
Comments are moderated by Equitymaster, in accordance with the Terms of Use, and may not appear
on this article until they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.
In the meantime, you may want to share this article with your friends!